Flare since January/Naturopathic remedies/changes is menstrual cycle

Hello all,

I have not posted on here in a while, but I am in desperate need of support from those that understand this condition. I have a couple main questions and concerns.

1. I have been in a flare since about January of this year. I have seen my GI doctor, and have started seeing a Naturopathic doctor as well, and nothing they have prescribed or recommended has helped much or turned this around. I am scared to move to the next level of meds, but I worry that this is becoming worse that I think it is. Has anyone ever found relief or remission from working with a Naturopathic doctor? If so, how long did it take to see resutls? I am getting very discouraged and impatient. My GI doctor thought I could move into 6 mp and other maintenance meds, but I am concerned with long term side affects. I have also been trying to get pregnant with baby #2 and I know some of the major meds don't support that.

2. And speaking of getting pregnant, have any women experienced changes in your menstrual cycle because of a flare? I have had very irregular periods for the past 3-4 months, where I have had 2 periods per month, and then no period for more than a month. Again, we have been trying to get pregnant, so that makes tracking my ovulation very difficult. I am just wondering if this has anything to do with my flare, or if there is something else going on that I need to look into.

Sorry for the long post. I have just been feeling so down about this lately. I try to stay positive, and focus on what I can do, but that is becoming less and less. I barely work. I often feel like I can't leave the house. I have a 3 year old that I try to keep up with, but I must relying more and more on help from others, which often makes more feel worse. I would just like to feel like this will all get better. This is the longest flare I have ever experienced. I have been able to gain remission in the past with all cycle of prednisone. It did not help as much this time.

Lastly, Morey current symptoms include abdomen pain/discomfort, frequent, loose BMs (10-20 per day), low energy, low iron, poor sleep.

Thanks you in advance for your support, understanding, and guidance.

You are currently having 10-20 bms/day? You need stronger meds. Remicade is safe with pregnancy. I've never tried naturopathic care; I personally don't believe it is appropriate for UC management and most likely $$$. I do have a friend with proctitis and her doc started her on imuran so she could get off of prednisone. She is mesalamine intolerant. Once she was in remission, she got pregnant and stayed with the imuran. She just had her baby last week.

(No advice here but I hear you on keeping up with small children. I have two year old twins, and when I'm not feeling my best and need rest... it's hard to get that. Also hard not to make them worried about me, "mommy sick!")