I'm back after about 3 years - still in complete remission on curcumin only

I haven't been on the boards since 2015, or early 2016 (I think).

I stopped reading and posting for two reasons: 1) I was in complete remission from colitis - zero symptoms, could eat anything - taking nothing besides 3 grams of Doctor's Best curcumin per day. and 2) In late 2015, I had a colonoscopy where low grade dysplasia was found and it looked like I was on my way to surgery. It was very depressing to be facing major surgery when I felt 100% normal.

Well, the surgeon said watchful waiting was the next step, and when a surgeon doesn't want to operate, you know you don't need surgery. So, in 2016 and 2017, I had scopes every 3 months to make sure nothing had changed. Two years of clean reports! I've been very fortunate but am aware that it could change at any time. With 4 scopes a year, I don't worry too much. If cancer happens, it will be caught early.

Anyway, I came to post hello and tell my story about my curcumin. I was diagnosed with colitis in 2005 when I was in my mid-30s. It runs in my family - my grandfather died from colitis at age 40 and my first cousin had it since he was a teenager and had his colon removed by age 30.

I am allergic to mesalamines and Remicade. My colitis was mild for many years, and manageable without meds but I had a terrible flare in 2012 and was on steroids for 7 months. Towards the end of those 7 months, I started taking curcumin, about 1 gram a day. It helped and I was doing ok on nothing but curcumin. I had a flare in 2014 and, after doing some research, increased my daily curcumin dose to 3 grams per day. This time, I was off the steroids in 7 weeks! Every since then, I've taken 3 grams of curcumin every day and have not flared once. I poop once a day, eat whatever I want - including popcorn and lentils which used to kill my gut - and feel completely normal. And I definitely still have colitis - my GI sees quiescent signs of the disease every three months during my scopes.

If anyone has questions about using curcumin, please ask. I am certain that it's kept me healthy since 2014, and also suspect it's keeping cancer at bay - for now.

The other supplement I take every day is 4 tablespoons of resistant starch in the form of Bob's Red Mill potato starch. It seems to feed the good bacteria in my gut. Within days of starting it, my gas and poop went from smelling terrible to not smelling at all. I've been taking hat for two or three years and it may also be keeping me healthy.

Can you share your research?

Glad you found something that works for you.
I took 4g dose of 95% turmeric capsules for a year in the past (replacing my Balsalazide RX) but ran into serious side effects, simple skin wounds that never healed and then a very bad staph skin infection blow-up that required ER visit (weekend, my skin doc not available).

I know it was the turmeric that was responsible because when I quit turmeric I haven't had any of that happen and nothing ever like that in past. I relied on NIH studies that said up to 12g turmeric showed no ill effects but...my turmeric was very highly refined, not regular turmeric in other words. In my opinion turmeric needs more studies because it definitely can replace RX anti-inflammatory meds, it worked for my UC, just went too far in dose and hurt other body parts. I'm back using Balsalazide which dissolves in my gut and is not systemic as turmeric is.

Inflammation in normal bodies signals need for healing. IMO taking too high a dose of anti-inflammatory turns off the "repair" effort and my skin was the victim.

I'm not criticizing your turmeric use, just wanted to share my story.

Glad it is working. I have tried it many times but dont think I was near 3 grams a day.
1.5g max dose.
Makes my blood real thin, 1/4 inch long not deep cut, could not stop the blood for 20 minutes.
OldMike

When I first developed IBD and had a minor flare, taking 4 capsules of turmeric every day stopped it, and even reduced my food allergies.... but I did notice that if I got a cut it would bleed like crazy and bruises from small impacts would end up huge.

Fast forward a few years, into my 3rd major flare... I find turmeric, curcumin, or anything that thins the blood (like vitamin E) makes my bowel bleeding worse.

I think that turmeric is worth exploring if you're in a minor flare or close to remission but when there's active bleeding it will just act as a blood thinner and make things worse. I can only speak for myself though.

The other thing is that turmeric is a powerful detoxer. A lot of people with IBD have detoxing problems (like poor glutathione production or methylation) and I think in those people flares can be caused by pro-inflammatory toxic buildup. In that case turmeric may help them clear some of that.

I'm a poor phase 2 detoxer and turmeric worked great in my first flare but in all the subsequent flares it make me bleed more.