What's working for me...

I'm sure like many of you I'm constantly tweaking my supplements and diet to try to control my symptoms. I used to take countless supplements but I've been trying to strip down to the basics. Lately I've been doing pretty well and thought it might be helpful to share what's been working for me.

- Psyllium seed powder: 2 tablespoons twice a day
- Homemade chicken soup: At least one large bowl every day
- Non-dairy probiotics: ie, live pickles or sauerkraut
- Digestive enzymes and Betaine HCL with meals
- Gluten and dairy free diet

Sadly I'm not yet med free, I still take Asacol which I was prescribed when I was first diagnosed about six years ago. I'm not sure how much it's doing for me (I've flared many times while on it) but I keep taking it as I have no noticeable side effects from it.

When I'm flaring I'm on the toilet about 20 times a day with blood and mucus. Lately I've been about twice a day, well formed with no visible blood or mucus.

I take the psyllium in a glass of water when I first wake up and right before I go to bed. I started off at a lower dose to check if I had any negative side effects (ie, gas or bloating), I didn't notice any so ramped up to the full dose pretty quickly. I
order mine from www.bulkherbstore.com.

I've had good results with fresh wheatgrass juice in the past but I wasn't a big fan of the flavor so didn't keep it up.

Here's a description of psyllium seed powder from the bulkherbstore.com:

Psyllium seed powder is the most popular mucilaginous herb in use today. Its hulls are well known as bulk laxatives.
The written history of the medicinal use of psyllium seed powder is surprisingly sketchy. More references refer to its use as a food or cattle fodder than as medicinal herb. All references agree, however, on its medicinal use as a bulk laxative.

In India, psyllium seed powder is used as a diuretic, and in China, related species are used to treat bloody urine, coughing and high blood pressure.
Psyllium seed powder is a bulk laxative that increases the volume of the intestinal contents. This stretching action on the wall of the intestine encourages peristaltic activity in the bowel. The indigestible mucilage (active principle) is found both in the whole seed and the husk and swells when it comes in contact with water. The husks are most often employed since the seed germ contains oils and tannins which are undesirable in bulk laxatives preparations.

Today there is a popular use for psyllium and indeed for many mucilaginous herbs in the area of chronic yeast infections. Candida infections can be eradicated with harsh antibiotics and very restrictive diets, but psyllium can be employed to prevent the systemic absorption of the yeast’s metabolic wastes that many individuals are sensitive to.

In their efforts to survive in one’s colon, these yeasts produce toxins that can cause many allergic reactions. It is difficult at best to try and kill them all and only a few remaining candida yeasts can cause the sensitive reactions in some individuals. Psyllium is proving more beneficial and practical for many individuals who suffer from chronic yeast infections.

Contains mucilaginous compounds that give bulk to the stool, absorb toxins, soothe inflamed tissues, and promote the growth of friendly colonic bacteria. It has been used to treat constipation, dysentery, chronic diarrhea, and cystitis.

Benji:


Totally agree with you about the taste of wheat grass juice it aint pleasent but i just wash it down with some orange juice and its fine.


This is quite and interesting read, its strange how its got a laxative effect but seems to be having a positive effect on the UC. it looks like it does a similar job to the wheat grass powder i am using as it gives more bulk to the stool and in a sense getting rid of all the bad bacteria on the way through.

Ive always been told by my doctor stay away from fibre but my theory is may be i havent been getting enough fiber in the first place, as fibre gives bulk to the stool and gets rid of all the waste more effectively in your intestines when you dont eat much fiber or get it through supplements all the waste is allowed to build up and lie within your digestive system turning into bad bacteria.

I could be way out of line here but it does sound like it makes sense a little.

Right, i get you thanks for that so the soluble fiber is the stuff which is good for the intestine but insoluble can just irriate the bowel, thanks for that.

Aguywithuc; when you talk about protein shakes which ones would you recommend taking as i have just started training again properly and want to get back on the shakes but dont want the ones that give me UC symptoms.

Cheers guys

You're probably just in remission... or maybe it's the chicken soup.

Put the following in the bigest pot you have and then fill with water:
- A whole chicken
- A cut up turkey neck (for extra gelatin)
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onion
- A couple of splashes of apple cider vinegar (helps to get the minerals from the bones)

Bring to a boil then simmer for as long as possible.

I task two Asacol HDs in the morning and two at night.

I had him on ignore by accident, so weird. Problem solved.

Benji it doesnt surprise me thats working for you. I was doing the same with chicken and some good goat, but was having mixed results. I need to be better with the psyllium.

Trying the spinach sunflower thing, hope that helps...

Andrina,

I'm able to get turkey necks at my local supermarket but from what I've read chicken feet are just as good.


freddyj,

At my worst I go about 20 times a day. I'm able to get raw sauerkraut at a local health food store. I've tried making it but I wasn't happy with the results.

Benji...what are "live pickles"?

And what are they supposed to do for you? This is the first I'm hearing of pickles helping UC. Pickles I like...spinach not so much!