in search of alternative medicine doctor

the best alternative doc you can see is this forum - at least try it for a bit and see what you think -

as far as finding a real alternative doc ? well that can be a challenge, especially one that has dealt with multiple patients with UC -

for now, i would let the meds do their job - once he is functioning normally, then focus on non traditional treatments -

UC can certainly be a life changer, but for most it can be dealt with quite well - it can take time tho, so maybe try to relax a bit and breath -

good luck to both of you -

Food tolerance varies from person to person for the most part. Yes, there are some foods that are pretty much universally avoided while flaring (e.g. popcorn, nuts, seeds, beans). A lot of people have trouble with dairy as well.

Some people will insist that a certain food is awesome and indeed some foods can help restore health for some people. The most helpful thing that I've found is doing an elimination diet (such as AIP Paleo) and then slowly reintroducing food to see which foods have a negative effect on me. Although it seems some people are beginning to think that food allergies/intolerances are not static and in fact may change over time as one's environment changes. Some functional medicine docs will do food allergy tests, although the accuracy of these is debated.

Comfort foods for me while things are bad include homemade bone broth, chicken, fish and well cooked spinach. I don't think I've heard of anyone having an adverse reaction to bone broth and/or chicken, so that might be a good place to go in the midst of a flare.

It seems like I hear that multivitamins, fish oil, turmeric, vitamin D and vitamin B are all popular supplements among IBDers.

Also, a lot of folks and docs recommend "treating from both ends" so to speak. So if your husband is on mesalamine, then oral and rectal mesalamine are recommended a lot of times.

In my experience, sometimes well-meaning family members may try to really push an IBDer to try a given treatment. This can create undue stress for the IBDer receiving this advice and in turn exacerbate the IBD. So perhaps do your best to read the situation with your husband and see if he's open for suggestions. Even if your advice is solid and well intentioned, it might lead to increased symptoms for your husband if he isn't receptive and it creates stress for him. In the end, you know your husband best, but I just thought I'd mention this as it can be a fine line to walk for some folks.

I am sure you will get lots of useful advice browsing these forums.

In terms of seeking professional alternative help- I'd recommend a nutritionist that works with digestive disorders. I feel like most nutritionists lack training in the elimination system and gastroenterologists lack training in nutrition. Finding a naturopath is an option, but can be quite costly for information that is readily available online. You will medical equipment in monitoring blood work/colonoscopies etc and working with a doctor/ND provides that, but there's a lot you can do on your own.

It's going to take more research on your part, but the more you understand his bodily functions the easier it will become in deciding your next move. Once you figure out his trigger foods through recommendations and trial and error, focus on getting adequate nutrition that his cells (specifically colonic cells) need in order to properly function (like short fatty chain acids). Focus on eliminating known factors of inflammation and promoting factors of mucosal healing.

healseeker said...
I know of professional nutritionists and alternative dr.'s that my sister went to a couple of years ago and they helped her. One is somewhere in new jersey and the other is on long island. Where do you live? I think there's a website for naturopaths and you can just type in your zip code and check out the dr's in your neighborhood.

Healseeker, we are in New Jersey! do you know the name of the nutritionist and alt. dr that your sister used by any chance??