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Acupuncture, Homeopathy?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/5/2014 4:56 PM (GMT 0)

Hello all, I searched the forums on this topic but they all seemed to be 2-4 years old. General consensus that acupuncture didn't help UC directly but good for anxiety/tension. That may be all I get out of it but that could be enough. 

So I am curious, did you try acupuncture, for how long/often, and how did it help you (or not)? I am seeing a naturopath now, on a restrictive diet (mostly following SCD but with other restrictions) and off most conventional meds (titrating off hydrocortisone, which replaced prednisone months ago). I am noticing a difference with that as I am better than I've been with the horrors of last year but still have semi-loose/frequent BMs, blood is infrequent (yay!), bloat easily and eat very small amounts, caution, anxiety, and pre-planning everything that I do (bathrooms where?!).  Currently if I want to do something out and about (other than work), I take my morning supplements and just don't eat until I'm done with the activity - get through it fine with enough energy, it'd be worse if I did eat - just wish I didn't have to resort to things like that.

I will be trying acupuncture next week at a college clinic since it is more affordable. I tried a free initial visit at my naturopath and I did feel the "flow" of energy in the short treatment, and was super giddy a day or two later...which felt just wonderful. If that's all I get out of it, I think it would still be worth it (even better than stress relief I get from yoga/massage), I certainly don't expect it to heal UC completely but I'm willing to add in some other alternative therapies as I go through this slow healing process with the other things I am trying. Got completely fed up with conventional western medicine after last year, diet changes definitely helping which they didn't even consider (or if they do, advise incorrectly, in my mind).

Also if anyone has tried homeopathy, that was also recommended by my naturopath and it would be at another clinic, initial visit is $200 and "worth it" supposedly, but I am running out of money - of course none of these things are insurance covered, yet I am still paying for insurance.

Posted 5/5/2014 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,
also looking for more alternative medicine experiences...

Have seen a naturopath for the last couple months and managed to get into remission by taking a homeopathic remedy from the mineral elements family. Went through couple different elements with different potencies until we figured out which one matched my symptoms perfectly so it took couple (4-5) months to get here (during that time I continued to take 2x Salofalk per day). Interestingly enough, during all these time my body seemed to functioned a little bit better (put weight back on, less hair loss, also no side effects like water retention from "regular" meds like Cortenema etc.). Yes, visits are expensive, especially the first one, my work insurance covers a limited yearly amount.

Tried the SCD, maybe not long enough, did not work for me (stomach is very sensitive during flare, anything with a little bit more fibre goes right out), using some of the principles, the recommended food and the recipes. Gluten free, lactose free (make my own goat milk yogurt), low fibre diet (working on slowly upping my fibre intake), only cooked fruits/legumes/vegetables (other than avocado) and in small quantities for now, chicken/fish are OK.

__________
47 years old
UC since May 2012, 3 flares, each with slightly different symptoms (also proctitis in 2010, however GI did not explain the link to UC at that point...)
Currently on Salofalk (2x), Probiotics (VSL#3 and Garden of Life/Primal Defense, probably changing to Genestra HMF), Acacia Gum (2x), Omega 3, Vit B12 shots, Iron
Posted 5/5/2014 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
At this time, the best natural treatment seems to be wild oregano oil, you can find a detailed thread here.

Acupuncture is very relaxing so it won't be bad go for it.
Posted 5/6/2014 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
I believe there is something to acupuncture but i think it depends on what you're having it for an the individual. I tried it for my UC without any luck but it certainly didn't hurt me....well, my wallet maybe. I kind of enjoyed the time....it was very serene and relaxing.

I'm taking my son right now to an acupuncturist for his bad seasonal allergies and it's actually helping a lot. He hasn't had to take any of his allergy medication and usually this time of year is the worst for him.

Doesn't hurt to try it but don't be disappointed if it doesn't help. Good luck.
Posted 5/6/2014 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
I mentioned on a thread a long time ago there's three things I would do daily if I had the cash.. Acupuncture, Osteology (both together are awesome) and Yoga class. Over the years I've always felt great after these without fail.

That being said - none did a darn thing for my disease other than make me more relaxed and comfortable perhaps. And keep in mind I did them 2-3 times a week for 2 months to give it a fair shot.

Bottom line is for me they ate away at my wallet more than anything. Was it worth it? Depends on how you look at it I guess. But looking back I'd rather have saved the money I think.

If I win the lottery though -I'd do the three things daily.
Posted 5/6/2014 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
I went to 3 sessions for the first time last week during the beginning of a horrible flare. it was definitely relaxing, but I didn't see any improvement (yet). the acupuncturist told me that for acute flares you need to go 3 times a week for 2 weeks to see improvement, I didn't make it that far bc the flare got so bad I had to go to the hospital. definitely planning on going back when I'm out because I do believe it could possibly help. also, open space community acupuncture centers are gaining popularity these days bc they are much cheaper than private sessions. you basically sit in a room with other people getting acupuncture and relax independently, that's what I did and it wasn't weird at all--you might wanna try it if you're looking for something on the cheaper side.
Posted 5/6/2014 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
but you still do yoga, right cm ?
Posted 5/6/2014 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't read but your subject line since I'm in a mess situation in my life... but wanted to say that homeopathy had some dramatic affects on me. One remedy caused me to flare just like a real flare even on Remicade... but as soon as I stopped the remedy it went away. Then, another remedy made my gut operate awesomely, but caused such a severe depression in me that I was non-functional.

I eventually stopped seeing the homeopath due to not seeing any good results after 5-6 visits.
Posted 5/6/2014 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
Homeopathy is just sugar, so there are 2 solutions:
- it's inefficient
- you feed candidas with those sugar pills
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