Running out of Options

continued from 2.23 blog.

January 3rd 2012 Letter from Dr J E Painter. B Med Sc FRCP Your recent
colonoscopy showed no trace of active UC. This is confirmed on biopsies. I
suggest you continue your present medication, if your colitis flares up
anytime contact my secretary and we will see you in the clinic otherwise we .
will not disturb you. .I have never had UC meds from NHS since Jan 2004.
Not taking any UC meds even my Sorovera 3 caps maintenance dose. TOM

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2886374/. This study gets interesting around page 6.

It is no coincidence that your husband got ebv and colitis at the same time. Ebv effects the gut. it isnt just the makes you tired kissing virus. Ebv is a big deal, it's a stealth pathogen and when paired with a biologic it increases the risk of lymphoma. There are a lot of things to try between 2 months into dx and biologics.

When he was dxed did they do any abx? Which ones?

Right now it's scary and your husband is facing a huge fear ( being able to work and provide for you and that baby) .. The best thing you can do right now: Dote on him. It's the last time you'll get to for awhile. Feed him healing foods. Encourage him that this too shall pass. Tell him to take naps to make up for missed sleep, try to encourage him engage in stress relief and self care. If he is a workaholic, now is the time to start the transition to a better balance. If he has no hobby, maybe he should find one.. I know, sounds all psychobabbly but the mind body connection is no joke. I love Gabor Mate's book, When the Body Says No.

He needs fats and easy to digest proteins. Consider adding in 2 or more ultra inflammx drink snacks in a day mix a Tbsp of coconut oil in and whir in a blender, mix with carrageenan free coconut milk... Well cooked veggies are good too, liberally add olive oil. Stay away from raw veggies.. Look at the low fodmaps diet. Eliminate all inflammatory foods: grains-ESP glutinous ones (except white rice), dairy, sugar, additives. What does that leave? Whole foods. Eggs may or may not sit well... But avocado is a good fat, coconut oil, nut butters if you can tolerate them (not until the flare is more under control) He may have problems digesting fats at this stage but its best to get calories into him.

You may be able to add a gentle enzyme or even use a food combining after things calm down just a little.

Try and stay away from high carb foods. Stews and soups are good. It's winter so, that works.. Crockpot meals like all day roast (no onions or garlic) with carrots and potatoes.. Roast chicken, chicken soup.. Chicken and rice with well steamed carrots, stuff like that.

I was in a severe flare when I was first diagnosed, and they started me on a biologic (remicade) during my hospital stay, and I never had the chance to try any other medication because I was just too sick (they tried but I was quickly readmitted to the hospital). Also, I was 9 weeks pregnant at the same time so I think that my GI docs felt crushed for time to stop this bleeding and get me on the right track to gain some weight back. Remicade literally started working the very next day. I didn't have a BM for a day and a half after my first infusion and that hadn't happened for months.

I know others have said this, but don't be afraid of the biologics. They work! I was a little scared too but the results have been incredible. Good luck to you and your hubby and congrats on the baby!

If thinking inside the box is not working think OUTSIDE the box , It worked for me!!!!!!

Tom