what is your favorite non-RX UC treatment?

Anything you use that you feel/know makes your symptoms better?

I have a coupla things I go to when things get wonky (gassy, bloated, urgency, etc).
My favorite at the moment (in remission, no bleeding) is clay water. I've tried several types and they were all fine (montmorilonite, bentonite, red clay) but the one I've used recently is Terramin red clay. A heaping teaspoon or less in a half cup of water about a hour after meds any time of day, once or twice a day as needed.

I've read that clay is antibiotic and for me is clears out gas and gas' byproduct urgency (or imagined urgency really). Acts like fiber supplement too, actually better than.

My cupboard is filled with failed non-RX supplements that I know have been beneficial to other people. We are so all so different gut wise it's not surprising.

Oh haha, i forgot, surgery!!!

It's the only thing Rx or non, that got me symptom free.

Well I guess diet modification is actually my #1 non-RX treatment haha. It's so much a part of my life I don't even think it's an add-on. Best thing I ever did for my UC but it took years of tinkering.

And I guess I should say 95% curcumin capsules 3 g. to 4 g. daily dose are standard with me. Again it's a daily thing.

I guess I should have said "What's your go-to treatment when your regular stuff isn't handling your symptoms".

Just post whatever you want, as long as you have had positive results from it and have done it long enough to know it works for you consistently. No 7 days wonder in other words.

Even though I have a prescription now for it, I didn't when I started nicotine. I wanted to make sure it worked before I told my doctor about it! It is the only reason I have my colon and it's still working, thankfully.

There isn't a medication, diet or supplement that I can say has helped as much as nicotine without any side effects.

It has been CCherbal for me. I have been taking it since 2009. Also started psylium a couple of years ago.

ginger root tea, turmeric, and Kefir. I was eating lots of yogurt but there are so many brands with sugar added; Kefir works best for me...but tastes like buttermilk. I prefer the blueberry flavored...which is colored with grape juice. sheesh LOL I've become fond of ginger tea, sweetened with local honey. I grind the roots but you can slice them thinly; sure wreaks havoc with my wifes' food processor LOL But...she's a good ole girl and I do clean the thing after I use it.

Gluten free has helped me out a lot. I'm not 100% gluten free (yes, I cheat) but I have noticed a big difference.

Seems to work: SCD, turmeric, kefir and oregano oil.

Things that made things seem worse: grape seed extract, Culturelle (probiotic), marshmallow root, boswellia

Things that didn't seem to make any difference: VSL#3, butyrate

Avoiding my food triggers and taking probiotics each morning as described in my signature seems to keep me in general remission. But after a week or two my stools may start to become softer and less formed. Don't know if I have a hidden food intolerance or whatever.

That is when powdered seed rescues me back to normal. Nips it in the bud before I descend down the slippery slope (pun intended). Supposedly pseed works because beneficial bacteria feast on it producing butyrate that nourishes cells in the colon. Maybe. All I know is that I feel like I have ingested a plaster of Paris substance that patches up my digestive tract and brings me back to pre-UC normal.

I could open up my own herbal shop with all the half-used bottles of failed alternate treatments.

I swear by green tea extract. It is the only thing that when I cut out....things get dicey. fish oil and probiotics make me happier but cutting them out doesn't appear to change my UC.

That is interesting regarding your girlfriend's diet. It is good that your girlfriend is almost free of headaches now, I know how debilitating that can be.

I do know of, and love Yucca, I eat it all the time in fact. I adore it cooked, then slightly fried for a special treat. The other vegetable malanga, I only discovered recently when I spotted it in the supermarket and picked it up to give it a try, it reminds me a lot of Yucca, and so I have only eaten it a couple of times but I intend to purchase more of it. I am gutted that the vegetables that I have been enjoying I cannot enjoy anymore, but maybe over time my sensitivity will reduce.

I am going to speak with my husband tonight regarding my problem with Pentasa. I think I am leaning towards stopping it, as I looked in the mirror today and I constantly have a couple of hives on my forehead, and so I think its just too risky, dangerous in fact, and so I don't know what is going to happen if I decide to stop the Pentasa...

Julie

You may be allergic to the preservative in Rowasa. Rowasa-sf is available and if you told your GI about your hives he should RX it for you to try. If you still have hives with the "sf" sulfite free Rowasa then you'll know it's something else.

The fact that they make this version means other people have had a problem with it too.

Thanks IMG, having scope in few wks, so will write that down to ask for script.