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Posted 1/25/2013 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
greenuc, before ever went and saw Dr. Tent when you ate did you feel you gallbladder hurting? Did you have pain on the right side just below your rib cage?
Posted 1/25/2013 7:32 PM (GMT 0)

therearemiracles said...
greenuc, before ever went and saw Dr. Tent when you ate did you feel you gallbladder hurting? Did you have pain on the right side just below your rib cage?

No, never had pain there. Gallstones would cause pain, but a poorly functioning gallbladder with a low ejection rate would most likely not have pain associated with it.
Posted 1/25/2013 7:42 PM (GMT 0)

chiming in about the gallbladder issues:

In june of 2012 (about 3 weeks after starting imuran and pred, still not sure if that has any signifigance) i had an attack of extreme unrelenting stomach pain worse than childbirth, unrelenting nausea, and voimiting, it was like nothing i had ever experienced, i ended up being rushed to the ER and was admistted and after 5 days of all kinds of bloodwork and tests they finally did a hida scan test and determined that i had a poorly funcitioning gallbladder with an ejection rate of 10%, very low. 

 i decided to have my gallbladder removed in august.  i had never had a gallbladder problem before and did not have gallbladder pain  prior to the attack.  but once i had the attack, after beiing hospitalized for 5 day and very weak it took weeks to get back to normal and i decided i didnt ever wwant to live through that again.. after the attack i did notice some pains up around my shoulder when i ate but nothing really horrible. anyway with my gallbladder out, shouldnt my uc have went away??? it didnt and others here have had their gallbladdders removed with no change in uc.

i am really interested in the gallbladder uc link, would like to hear more from others....

Posted 2/1/2013 10:14 PM (GMT 0)

greenuc said...

huckleberryrapscallion said...
It's funny that I stumbled across this posting. I live in Michigan and went to see him just about a week ago. I am also being treated for a gallbladder issue (which has in turn caused intestinal inflammation). My symptoms seem to slowly getting better. Some days are better than others (probably due to diet), but things are looking good. Greenuc, I'm curious how long it takes to see full results from Dr. Tent's course of treatment? Any other tips for what not to eat while being on this type of program? Thanks for the insight.

It took about a week to see 80% improvement of UC symptoms, ymmv. After two weeks I started reducing my other supplements and medicines (still maintaining 2 Lialda per day for now). I think the Gastrex and Okra Pepsin were particularly powerful, I assume he has you on both of those supplements in addition to the gallbladder support?

I had a sigmoidoscopy done a week ago (about 2 months into the Dr. Tent Protocal) that showed "no signs of active UC."

As far as diet, I just continue to avoid most simple carbohydrates, sugar and alcohol. Good luck to you and please keep us posted on your progress.

Right on. Congrats on the clean scope. I've been taking everything for close to two weeks. I would say things are about 35% better (tough to gauge some days). I'm only bleeding slightly (still on the TP a little in the stool) about once a day and dealing with somewhat formed BM's. Much better than bleeding when going to the bathroom about 8 times a day. The amount of trips to the bathroom varies on any given day though.

I'm on all the gallbladder support medications as well as okra pepsin and chlorophyll for anemia issues. When I saw him my symptoms were pretty bad though so I think it's going to take much longer to heal up. He said in about two months I would see significant change.

I'll probably update sometime within the next month. Hopefully things keep slowly improving.
Posted 2/1/2013 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear you are seeing some improvement huckle...keep us posted!
Posted 2/2/2013 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys -

As I continue to suffer from unrelenting, though mild symptoms (mild pain, loose stools, bathroom 2x day) despite being on 75mg of 6mp for 8 weeks, I willing to try a lot here.

This forum interests me, though there is no feasible way I could visit this doctor as I'm a college student.

I suspect that antibiotics could have caused this condition. If not, perhaps the gallbladder is the issue.

GreenUC, would you recommend going ahead and trying the supplements you're on. Are they very expensive/ do they have any side effects?

I'm desperate here as none of the medicine I'm on (mesalamine enemas, colazal, 6mp) do much.

thanks
Posted 2/2/2013 9:09 PM (GMT 0)

greenuc said...
Glad to hear you are seeing some improvement huckle...keep us posted!

Sorry to bother you again, greenuc. Did your symptoms ever fluxuate while taking the supplements? I seem to have fairly good days and then a few that go backwards. I'm worried about getting things back on track and complete healing up. Not sure if this is normal or not. I'll probably give them a call on Monday to see if I need to change some dosages around.
Posted 2/6/2013 4:13 PM (GMT 0)

chicagobulls11 said...
Hi guys -

As I continue to suffer from unrelenting, though mild symptoms (mild pain, loose stools, bathroom 2x day) despite being on 75mg of 6mp for 8 weeks, I willing to try a lot here.

This forum interests me, though there is no feasible way I could visit this doctor as I'm a college student.

I suspect that antibiotics could have caused this condition. If not, perhaps the gallbladder is the issue.

GreenUC, would you recommend going ahead and trying the supplements you're on. Are they very expensive/ do they have any side effects?

I'm desperate here as none of the medicine I'm on (mesalamine enemas, colazal, 6mp) do much.

thanks

Apologies for the delayed response.

At a minimum, I would try Okra Pepsin and Gastrex...they are specifically for colon cleansing and ulceration healing and could be very effective. The Prosynbiotic product could also help. They are unfortunately rather expensive.

As a cheaper alternative, I'd recommend doing slippery elm bark first to see if that works for you. Do a heaping tablespoon 2x per day. Had dramatic effects for me.



huckleberryrapscallion said...
Sorry to bother you again, greenuc. Did your symptoms ever fluxuate while taking the supplements? I seem to have fairly good days and then a few that go backwards. I'm worried about getting things back on track and complete healing up. Not sure if this is normal or not. I'll probably give them a call on Monday to see if I need to change some dosages around.

I did have some fluctuation in symptoms, but started keeping a food journal and quickly found out some foods I was sensitive too. I believe I might have IBS as well, and the food journal has helped control any IBS type symptoms.
Posted 2/25/2013 12:49 AM (GMT 0)

greenuc said...
Glad to hear you are seeing some improvement huckle...keep us posted!

greenuc - how are things still going on Dr. Tent's program?

I am about a month and a half in to taking the supplements and am probably experiencing 50% improvement in symptoms. He now added a bentonite clay pill to help slow things down. The bleeding was gone, but is showing up slightly (I think due to not watching my diet closely this past week...lots of wheat products have been consumed). Anyway, I was hoping for better improvements in my symptoms within a month, but I guess things are taking longer than expected. It's only been a little over a month and any change for the better is good change.

I hope things are still going well with you. Take care.
Posted 2/26/2013 5:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Huckle...

Things are going really well. I've started slowly tapering off the supplements, and I'm also taking Lialda every 36 hours rather than every 24 with the hopes of eventually tapering off completely.

I was having diarrhea as of a few weeks ago, but I knew it wasn't UC since my scope showed no active UC, so I figured it was IBS. Started a food journal as mentioned in my previous post and eventually started the FODMAP diet and my problem cleared right up. I'm definitely sensitive to sugars, onions, wheat, and a few other food items.

Anyway, good to hear its working, albeit slowly. Stick with it, I have confidence that if there is a natural cure for your UC, Dr. Tent will get you there.

Best,
greenuc
Posted 2/26/2013 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Garylouisville, you may want to do a little more research on the dangers of vaccines before you continue to defend them.... There is way more proof of their harm than good. Please explain how getting sv40, which is a known cancer causing agent, can be good for you? As you are probably unaware, SV40 is the 40th virus that was discovered in the vaccines that were given out in the 50s and 60s. Do some research on Mary's monkeys and let me know if you still want to defend the vaccine fiasco.. and what about the mercury in the vaccines? Is that also good for humanity, in your opinion?


Merck vaccine scientist Dr. Maurice Hilleman admitted presence of SV40, AIDS and cancer viruses in vaccines

http://worldtruth.tv/merck-scientist-dr-maurice-hilleman-admitted-presence-of-sv40-aids-and-cancer-viruses-in-vaccines-2/
Posted 2/26/2013 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
I don't really want to be a big defender of vaccines because they aren't perfect but you are kind forcing me into it. First, there is a huge difference between vaccines from the 50's and 60's than those of today. You can't condemn today's vaccines because of troubles with vaccines from 50-60 years ago. There is absolutely no proof that they cause more harm than good, even from decades ago. There have been all kinds of accusations against vaccines and there has been study after study after study that shows that almost all of those unsubstantiated accusations just flat aren't true. Of course there have been a very small number of documented problems but those are just a mere drop in the bucket compared to the overall huge success of vaccines. Nothing anywhere is perfect.

Some people also argue that antibiotics are the scourge of the earth but they haved saved literally billions of lives since being discovered. Are there any problems with antibiotics? Of course there are but when you look at the big picture they are far more valuable than the problems they have had. Hell, I blame broad spectrum antibiotics for giving me UC but that doesn't mean that they cause more problems than they are worth.

If there was so much information and proof that vaccines cause more harm than good then why does the medical community as a whole strongly encourage vaccines instead of getting rid of them? Oh yeah, I forgot, the medical community is in this huge conspiracy with all the vaccine manufacturers because of money and greed. If you really believe that then you also believe in space aliens, we faked the moon landings, and the US government was responsible for 9/11.
Posted 3/19/2013 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
greenuc and huckleberry,

I went out on a limb and ordered some of these SP supplements. As you suggested greenuc, I ordered the Okra and Gastrex and also the probiotic. I realize that this was a strange decision as it was based on only one person's account and the fact that I've never met the doctor in person, but I feel hopeful about this for some reason.

When you say that you take these supplements 1-3 times a day, does that mean 1-3 pills and do you take them all at once or split up it at different times throughout the day?

Also, is it very important to take the Okra and Gastrex soon before eating? Did Dr. Tent stress this?

Lastly, how are both of you doing?

I started today by taking two Okra pills and two Gastrex ones. I took one probiotic pill. I don't believe my problem is related to my gallbladder based on the questions Dr. Tent asks patients to identify an underlying gallbladder issue. I believe it's more likely that I have improper germ in my gut.
Posted 3/19/2013 8:15 PM (GMT 0)

chicagobulls11 said...
greenuc and huckleberry,

I went out on a limb and ordered some of these SP supplements. As you suggested greenuc, I ordered the Okra and Gastrex and also the probiotic. I realize that this was a strange decision as it was based on only one person's account and the fact that I've never met the doctor in person, but I feel hopeful about this for some reason.

When you say that you take these supplements 1-3 times a day, does that mean 1-3 pills and do you take them all at once or split up it at different times throughout the day?

Also, is it very important to take the Okra and Gastrex soon before eating? Did Dr. Tent stress this?

Lastly, how are both of you doing?

I started today by taking two Okra pills and two Gastrex ones. I took one probiotic pill. I don't believe my problem is related to my gallbladder based on the questions Dr. Tent asks patients to identify an underlying gallbladder issue. I believe it's more likely that I have improper germ in my gut.

Hey chicago,

If you are interested in the program I would honestly get a hold of Dr. Tent's office. I know he has mentioned doing skype appointments before and he would be able to offer up a program to follow. I think the standard dose he would start with would be two pill three times a day.

Things are going ok for me. I think greenuc has had much better luck on his program than I have. I'm improving, but things are just going very slow. I've honestly been thinking about trying other options because I think my healing with his galbladder hypothesis has plateaued. I'm going to stick it out a little bit longer because if anything it has stopped my bleeding. I'm having trouble bulking my stools though so I'm sure there is still quite a bit of inflammation hanging around. That's where I'm at now. Hopefully that gives you a better picture of what this stuff can do. Let me know if you have any questions.
Posted 3/21/2013 4:15 PM (GMT 0)

chicagobulls11 said...
greenuc and huckleberry,

I went out on a limb and ordered some of these SP supplements. As you suggested greenuc, I ordered the Okra and Gastrex and also the probiotic. I realize that this was a strange decision as it was based on only one person's account and the fact that I've never met the doctor in person, but I feel hopeful about this for some reason.

When you say that you take these supplements 1-3 times a day, does that mean 1-3 pills and do you take them all at once or split up it at different times throughout the day?

Also, is it very important to take the Okra and Gastrex soon before eating? Did Dr. Tent stress this?

Lastly, how are both of you doing?

I started today by taking two Okra pills and two Gastrex ones. I took one probiotic pill. I don't believe my problem is related to my gallbladder based on the questions Dr. Tent asks patients to identify an underlying gallbladder issue. I believe it's more likely that I have improper germ in my gut.


My UC remains in 100% remission, how do I know? Well first, I had the sigmoid a month or two ago that showed no active UC. Secondly, sometimes I forget to take my Lialda dose, in the past I'd be destroyed within 24 hours of missing a dose, now, missing a dose causes no problems.

I am having progressively worse IBS problems and more and more foods are bothering me, but when I avoid trigger foods, my symptoms are 100% non-existant.

Take 2 Okra and 2 Gastrex, 3x per day 15-20 minutes before meals. Dr. Tent didn't specifically say how important it was to take before meals, but I would follow it...it sorta coats the bowel and enhances digestion which doesn't work as well if you take it with or after a meal.

To Huckle's point, Dr. Tent does do phone consultations, but you have to be an existing patient, which means you had to see them in person at some point.

I'll keep a closer eye on this thread over the next few days so let me know if you have any other questions.

Edit: You won't have to take that high amount of Okra and Gastrex forever (i know its expensive stuff), but follow the protocal religiously, including taking it before meals for at least 30 days and then see where you are at....its very powerful stuff and very good at cleansing and healing the colon. I saw results within a matter of a week, let us know how you are doing, truly hoping this helps you out.

Post Edited (greenuc) : 3/21/2013 10:19:41 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/21/2013 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
The more I think about it the more I don't even believe there is such a thing as IBS. The doctors can't even tell you what it is. They can tell you what UC is. They can tell you what Crohns is. If you are having UC or Crohns symptoms and they test you and if they can't find anything wrong then they say you have IBS but they can't even tell you what it is. That's a total crock. It's just a made up disease they use when they can't find anything wrong with you. It is my belief that IBS is really UC or Crohns but that it isn't bad enough to manifest it's symptoms to be visible enough to find with testing.
Posted 3/21/2013 6:14 PM (GMT 0)

garylouisville said...
The more I think about it the more I don't even believe there is such a thing as IBS. The doctors can't even tell you what it is. They can tell you what UC is. They can tell you what Crohns is. If you are having UC or Crohns symptoms and they test you and if they can't find anything wrong then they say you have IBS but they can't even tell you what it is. That's a total crock. It's just a made up disease they use when they can't find anything wrong with you. It is my belief that IBS is really UC or Crohns but that it isn't bad enough to manifest it's symptoms to be visible enough to find with testing.

You make some valid points. IBS is just a cop-out for "we don't know," however, I think my problem still originates from antibiotic use many years ago. One thing that many people say contributes to IBS is SIBO (small intestine bacterial overgrowth) and in turn, it leads to certain types of food remaining undigested in the large intestine The undigested food ferments in the large intestine, creating all kinds of symptoms including potentially diarrhea, which is my primary symptom when I eat a trigger food.

Since I can be 100% symptom free by following a strict FODMAP diet, I'm less inclined to think its some form of mild UC with microscopic ulcers and more inclined to think it has to do with gut dysbiosis related to bacterial balance and associated digestive problems. This theory is augmented by my ability to miss a Lialda dose with no increase in symptoms (granted I haven't gone off it long term yet).
Posted 3/21/2013 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty sure I know that broad spectrum antibiotics are responsible for my UC. In most cases I guess this suposedly helps bring on a C-Diff infection but my stool tests all came back negative for C-Diff (three different times now). Many others here also suspect that antibiotics started their UC and also have had negative C-Diff tests. This begs the question, is it really autoimmune or SIBO (or some other kind of gut microbial dysbiosis)? I don't think anyone really knows the answer to this where there is any actual proof, just theories. For whatever reason, trying to repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria, while it may often help, never seems to completely cure the disease. So, back to the original question again, "Is it merely gut dysbiosis that just can't be returned to the original state, or is there an autoimmune problem which is responsible for the dysbiosis? It may be a longtime until proof of one or the other or something else is found. In the meantime I'm still believing that IBS is some kind of the same dysbiosis that is responible for UC or Crohns but just isn't bad enough to find in testing.

Recently I started taking a new antibiotic for me, Augmentin, for a severe case of strep throat. The first day or two my UC got incredibly better, followed by several days of getting incredibly worse. I am still on it and now my UC seems to be getting much better again. I'm not really sure what is going on but I suspect roller coaster dysbiosis. It will be interesting to see what happens once I am off of the antibiotic.

Posted 3/21/2013 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
One thing doctor tent says is that changes in the gut do to long term antibiotic use are permanent, there is no way to reverse it.

A normal gut has thousands upon thousands of different species of bacteria, when you take a probiotic it has maybe 10-20, and that's on the high end. We simply don't have the means to replace what antiobiotics kill except *Possibly* by Fecal Transplantation.
Posted 3/21/2013 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
greenuc,

Your advice is greatly appreciated. I will start trying what you have recommended.

An additional question: How often do you suggest my taking the SP probiotic?

I just received the results of my prometheus test this morning. Three months into taking 6mp and I'm supposedly in the therapeutic range (230 i believe when 210-400 is considered therapeutic).

Nevertheless, my persistent, albeit relatively mild symptoms (discomfort, food sensitivity, morning urgency, occasional bleeding) persist, and I continue to hope this new regimen makes a difference.

I'm a college senior who graduates in about 2 months. Due to this condition, the last two years have been some of the hardest of my life, and though I hear my UC is mild-medium in severity (proctosigmoiditis), I've yet to find a medication that effectively puts me into remission.

I will continue to try my best and take advice from people like you who have found success.
Posted 3/21/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)

chicagobulls11 said...
greenuc,

Your advice is greatly appreciated. I will start trying what you have recommended.

An additional question: How often do you suggest my taking the SP probiotic?

I just received the results of my prometheus test this morning. Three months into taking 6mp and I'm supposedly in the therapeutic range (230 i believe when 210-400 is considered therapeutic).

Nevertheless, my persistent, albeit relatively mild symptoms (discomfort, food sensitivity, morning urgency, occasional bleeding) persist, and I continue to hope this new regimen makes a difference.

I'm a college senior who graduates in about 2 months. Due to this condition, the last two years have been some of the hardest of my life, and though I hear my UC is mild-medium in severity (proctosigmoiditis), I've yet to find a medication that effectively puts me into remission.

I will continue to try my best and take advice from people like you who have found success.

If you are asking about the prosynbiotic product, take one capsule 3x per day after meals. I think the most beneficial part of that product is the S. Boulardii as there are scientific studies that merit its use on UC, so you could consider buying a non SP product that contains solely S. Boulardii. I still take the prosynbiotic product myself, though now I'm down to taking it only with breakfast and dinner.

Many years before I was diagnosed, I had a friend in college who had UC and I know he went through a lot. Please let me know how you get on with this new regimen.

What other natural supplements have you tried? I harp on slippery elm bark quite a bit as it was a miracle supplement for me in the early stages after initial diagnosis.
Posted 3/21/2013 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
I have tried slippery elm powder, and still have some left. I'm not sure if I've ever used it consistently enough to say that it doesn't help me, but I have experienced no quick relief from using it. Additionally, I've tried psyllium seed powder (which made an immediate difference in bulking my stools but the effects seemed to wane over time), Aloe Vera juice, vitamin E enemas, and brief stints of strict diet modification. Avoiding sugary foods, generally unhealthy foods, caffeine, alcohol (this is a big no no), and dairy, seems to help some, at least symptomatically.

I'm very interested in trying fecal transplant, and probably will this summer unless things improve.
Posted 3/22/2013 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
green uc - I can't seem to get a perfect poo using this program just yet. Has he put you on any other supplements. Right now beyond the regimen regimen of okra, prosynbiotic, and gallbladder stuff I'm also on a clay supplement, something called IPS from Biomedics company, and a chlorophyll supplement. I'm just looking to see some forward progress and haven't seen any in quite a while. Any other insights would be helpful.
Posted 3/22/2013 1:56 PM (GMT 0)

huckleberryrapscallion said...
green uc - I can't seem to get a perfect poo using this program just yet. Has he put you on any other supplements. Right now beyond the regimen regimen of okra, prosynbiotic, and gallbladder stuff I'm also on a clay supplement, something called IPS from Biomedics company, and a chlorophyll supplement. I'm just looking to see some forward progress and haven't seen any in quite a while. Any other insights would be helpful.

I added chlorophyll complex as well (he didn't have me add it, but I knew it was good for UC), but sounds like you are already on it. Outside of that, I think you are already doing everything I was doing. One thing you could consider is adding L-glutamine temporarily...I would do a heaping teaspoon or two of the stuff in the morning on an empty stomach and it would form my bowel movements quite a bit...supposed to be good at healing the intestinal lining as well.

Have you tried any diet modification? There may be a food that is delaying your recovery. In other words, are you sure your symptoms are still UC? I thought Dr. Tent's regimen wasn't working for a while as I slipped back into diarrhea, but the sigmoid I had done showed no active UC and dietary modification eliminated the "IBS" symptoms I was having.
Posted 3/24/2013 7:11 PM (GMT 0)

greenuc said...

huckleberryrapscallion said...
green uc - I can't seem to get a perfect poo using this program just yet. Has he put you on any other supplements. Right now beyond the regimen regimen of okra, prosynbiotic, and gallbladder stuff I'm also on a clay supplement, something called IPS from Biomedics company, and a chlorophyll supplement. I'm just looking to see some forward progress and haven't seen any in quite a while. Any other insights would be helpful.

I added chlorophyll complex as well (he didn't have me add it, but I knew it was good for UC), but sounds like you are already on it. Outside of that, I think you are already doing everything I was doing. One thing you could consider is adding L-glutamine temporarily...I would do a heaping teaspoon or two of the stuff in the morning on an empty stomach and it would form my bowel movements quite a bit...supposed to be good at healing the intestinal lining as well.

Have you tried any diet modification? There may be a food that is delaying your recovery. In other words, are you sure your symptoms are still UC? I thought Dr. Tent's regimen wasn't working for a while as I slipped back into diarrhea, but the sigmoid I had done showed no active UC and dietary modification eliminated the "IBS" symptoms I was having.

Good advice. There is some L-Glutamine in one of the supplements he gave me last time. Not sure if it is enough to form up my bowel movements. Is there a brand you would recommend?

I've been keeping a pretty solid paleo-like diet. I can't avoid wheat as much as I would like to do to my work and school schedule though. It's tough.

I'm just thinking I need to show a little more patience with the supplements. I'm getting antsy for things to form up though. Hopefully soon. Thanks again for your insight.
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