How I cured my Colitis :-D

INTRO

Hi everyone,
Been meaning to share my experience for a while, for I know how depressing it can be to be inflicted this disease which no one seems to be able to cure or explain why it started.
It is a good one... so read on, I have been off all medication for 2 years and feeling great. Please don't be offended if you spot brandnames in this blog, I am not affiliated with any of them just sharing my story.

BEGINNINGS
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 32 (7yrs ago), and saw my GP about it and was referred to hospital, several tests and endoscopy followed. I followed a course of Pred Foam and Asacol. I wasn't told that milk and Asacol did not mix, I lost a lot of weight ;-) My colitis got better and I stopped using the administered drugs. A year later I was back to square one, By that time I had missed my hospital check ups and had to go through the whole process again. I had a severe telling off by the hospital doctor and found out two things that made me cringe:
1 - Colitis affects you for life and there is no cure, it can only be calmed down.
2 - It commonly flares up in young men from age 30, and nobody knows why.

Eventually my colitis got better, I kept my appointments BUT I WAS ON A MISSION TO CURE MYSELF FROM THE INSIDE.

CURE NUMBER 1 - VSL#3
I knew that a life on pills was not for me and after taking them for 2 years I stopped and inevitably the cycle started again. I trawled the net looking for more natural successes. Probiotics was the answer...and I invested in the best VSL#3. It is not cheap but recently I checked with my GP and it is available on NHS prescription.
I did not change anything in my diet, (still having a drink everyday, eat everything and drink milk, I carry half a stone more that I wish and moderately fit...I think ;-) )... just a bag of VSL#3 in the morning and one in the evening, two weeks later ...MAGIC!!! i reduced the dosage to 1 bag a day.
So my routine then became taking it for a while, stopped as things cleared up and came back as I required. I remained healthy for 6 months at times...
Heaven !!! no more endoscopy, predfoam - I don't like things that go that way... no more hospital and lectures from the doctor...

CURE NUMBER 2 - LIFESTYLE CHANGE
So two years later, I moved to London, slightly mature and still going strong on VSL#3...but I suffer from greasy skin and had an acne flare up...My analysis pointed towards my consumption of milk...and bingo. Around the same time I spotted an advert for Nutri Bullet (a smoothie blitzer) on a shopping channel during the graveyard shift. The cereals/tea and all dairy was out the window and replaced with a nutritious Smoothie. While I was at it I started making my own packed lunch which is vegetable based and some kind of fish. For the evening meal I have whatever I fancy.
When I started these two lifestyle changes two years ago, I was in the OFF Phase of VSL#3, and I have not been back on it or suffered any flare ups...I remember it well it was the London 2012 Olympics.

DETAILS
Smoothie - Always has Spinach/Beetroot, the rest is optional Berries/Pineapple/Dried Prunes/red grapes/Celery/whatever else fruit I fancy. i don't like bananas
Lunch - Salad - Any veg you want
Fish - Tinned Tuna/Smoked Salmon/or anyfish you like


NOWADAYS
I am not a regimented army dude, I seldom fail as I do like a good booze up with my mates at the weekend, smoke the odd fag when pissed, I do have the odd bowl of cereals, eat whole packet of biscuits at a time, love chocolates, love a good burger or steak, love chilli sauce, drink tea (sometimes), and go on holiday for 2-3 weeks where I eat whatever I like but when I get back home :
1 - I limit my lactose intake as much as I can - (I'm am trying lactofree).
2 - I Have my daily smoothie.
3 - I Eat my veg and fish for lunch

For the first time in years I have found some normality, I got there slowly, tweaked little bits at a time. I hope the information shared can help you.

I...

Many people have been helped by VSL. Unfortunately, many have not been helped by VSL. Others have gotten worse by VSL. Hateuc is right. UC is never really "cured", although you can go into long remissions using several different methods. What works for one doesn't mean it works for anyone else. There are many studies regarding VSL putting people into remission but off the top of my head I don't remember anyone on this site who ever went into remission with VSL alone. I know you mentioned the lifestyle change but there are many here who did both VSL and lifestyle change and it did not put them into remission. I'm glad it worked for you.

I reiterate what Sherry said. Good you've found something that works for you, however, this disease is so individualized that your solution may not work for others. Cure is a four letter word around here, just like other expletives are four letter words lol.

What is VSL #3 and where do you get it and what do you do with it? Silly question, I'm sure....but I don't know what it is. I have had UC for 25 years, have been flaring extremely bad since Sept 2010. Am currently on Simponi, Asacol2X twice a day, Mezevant 2X twice a day. I can't take remicade. Have urgency, LOTS of bleeding, mucus, would be willing to try this? Am seriously considering smoking again. If I knew for sure that smoking would actually help....I would do it. I love salad/veggies but they really put my flare into high gear....any other diet suggestions? I do not drink milk, but have a bit of cream in my coffee. have about 3 cups in morning only. Drink a lot of water, very rarely any pop, no juice except V-8, I tell myself that is how I get my veggies every morning. Do like to have a wine. Eat very healthy home made meals for the most part. Suggestions.

Read versions of this a multitude of times. A one-time poster regurgitated.

q

MrsSdot: Most people will not go into remission whether or not they take meds, although some occasionally might. Based on your post, here are my suggestions:

1. Try VSL#3 probiotic. If I remember right you are in Candada. You may need to start a thread about how to get VSL in Canada as I don't remember. I believe it is not easy but is possible.

2. Eliminate coffee entirely for a full month

3. Stop the v-8 for a full month as it may be doing the very same thing to you that salads do

4. Eliminate all alcohol for a whole month

If this gives you no relief then you may want to think about smoking again. I believe the odds are very high that it will help you if you smoked before and began flaring after quitting. Try smoking one cigarette about three times per day. Others have had success with nicotine items or e-ciggs.