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extreme diets???

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/19/2013 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I lost my health insurance over a year ago now, at that time I quit taking all meds I was on because I couldn't afford them. Lialda, entocort, prednisone, and a few others, nothing really changed with my UC when I did this. Still not in remission, I since then just head to the ER when I feel like I might be on the verge of death or low on blood, maybe once or twice a year. they hydrate me, maybe give me a blood transfusion, morphine, say to see my GI and send me on my way. Unfortunately I can't afford to see my GI anymore so I don't, instead I just live with my severe UC, try to stay stress free and hope it goes away.... haha.

My point by all this is, I've had UC for 8 years now, never in remission, going to the bathroom at least 3-10 times a day, mostly at night and early morning, but a mid day here and there, for 8 years!! everyday! My colon I know for a fact is weaker, I have accidents here and there, its not getting better, I'm just getting better at dealing with it. I really need help but have no medical, so my question is...

Are there any diets that anyone knows of, that are helpful and extreme enough that could possibly put my disease into remission? Any suggestions would be helpful, thank you so much. At this point I'm so willing to try anything instead of lose my colon.

Post Edited (ryverwise) : 1/20/2013 9:01:35 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/19/2013 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Try a heaping tablespoon of slippery elm bark, 3x a day...should only cost you $30 a month.

I'd also give psyllium seed powder a shot (not the husk) as its cheap and can be effective.
Posted 1/19/2013 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Lots of people on here have luck with several different diets. The most common things to start with trying to avoid are lactose and gluten. You have to be very careful when avoiding lactose because they use other names to sneak it in there. One is whey. Use google and search for other names for milk/ lactose. Even ramen noodles have lactose. Sorry your so sick. Try partnership for prescription assistance. They can help people get low cost meds when they don't have ins. Good luck
Posted 1/19/2013 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
There are several different diets. I believe they are mentioned in the resources thread. You just have to read up on them, pick one, and give it a go for a month or two. If it doesn't work try a different one. Some have had great success. Some have absolutely zero success with diets. There is no one diet that is guaranteed to work in anyone. Good luck.
Posted 1/19/2013 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Gluten-free.'Wheat Belly' can give you more info. People with UC have had dramatic results from going wheat-free...no guarantees for anyone but may be worth a try after you do some research on it. I was actually 'healed' from following an antifungal diet/program, basically low carb and grain free for a period of time....8 years and counting, no meds or symptoms. Eating whole, natural foods instead of any processed foods, for a time eliminating all grains (including corn), starchy veggies, alcohol, artificial sugars, yeast foods, and higher sugar fruits until you are healed. Still a lifestyle I try to adhere to. Eat to live, not live to eat! :)
Posted 1/19/2013 9:33 AM (GMT 0)
I'm improving on elemental formula. The pros are its easy, you don't have to constantly figure out what you can and can't eat, and it's handy on the go. Cons are it gets boring fast and it can be pricey. Sometimes you can find good deals on eBay though. Maybe Craigslist too.

I've done wheat-free, dairy-free, liquid diets, etc with zero luck. This is the first thing I've had any success with.
Posted 1/20/2013 10:52 PM (GMT 0)
thanks everyone. @Shauna_m what is "elemental formula"?
Posted 1/20/2013 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Specific Carbohydrates Diet has worked quite well for me. However I guess you can consider it pretty extreme and it's very time consuming. Helpful to have family or friends =) if you find it too difficult, I've found cutting out gluten, lactose and nuts to be helpful. Of course, processed foods and sugars. It sounds like a lot to give up but the results are worth the sacrifice.
Posted 1/20/2013 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Also.. Yoga? Exercise regularly but I was afraid of fainting on the treadmill so yoga works for me.
Posted 1/20/2013 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
For the past 18 months, I go 4-6 times/day but its mostly at night and early morning. I'm usually fine during the day. All are formed, rarely do I see any blood, rarely have accidents. Prior to colitis, I went 3-4 times /day. I'm not sue if I'm in remission, but in discussion with my GI, I've reached a new normal and its something I can deal with. The big drugs like biologics and immunosupressants made me very sick. So I had to try some alternatives. High doses of probiotics (VLS #3)helped to give me form to my stools, going gluten free and low FODMAPS gave me more consistency (gluten and high sugar foods cause me bad constipation), going lactose free avoided loose watery stools, I use physillium powder to help with form. I use immodium when I travel. Going 3-5 times/day doesn't sound that bad and maybe some diet changes might get you more consistency.
Posted 1/21/2013 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Read the posts under the U. c. Resources thread. The 11th one contains info from InSoFla who was not helped by meds and adopted a more natural regimen of diet, supplements, etc.

There is a website cureforulcerativecolitis.com that gives info regarding food combining and natural alternatives like slippery elm (referred to as nature's mesalamine). It has been very useful for me.

Most books I've read on the subject suggest eliminating lactose, gluten and sugar from your diet as well as fried foods, carbonated drinks and anything else that causes you problems.
Some keep a food journal to keep track of what they have eaten and identify problem foods.

It takes some effort but if you have good results, it will be worth it.
Best of luck.
Posted 1/21/2013 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
There are plenty of diets out there you could try. I suggest starting w/ the elimination diet and seeing which foods help/hurt your colitis. Also, consider adding soluble fiber like metamucil to the mix.
Posted 1/21/2013 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Forgot to mention probiotics which most would consider essential.
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