First post, just diagnosed.

Hello everyone,
Happy to be here... as I'm pretty down right now.
Was diagnosed 2 weeks ago... Supposedly a pretty mild version.
No pain whatsoever, just diarrhea, blood sometimes, only 4-5 times a day.
I'm Bulgarian... But have been living in China for the last 8 years. I work as a teacher... So not much stress... I was eating healthy, no junk food, soda etc.
I travel a lot, but as we all know... there's no exact reason for this 😢
Been on sulfasalazine and probiotics for the past 2 weeks.... Not much change... But it's making me very tired... Legs feel heavy and sore...
Blood test is all normal...Problem is, the local doctors don't know much about diet... Have any of you tried TCM? Acupuncture, jianpiling, Qing Dai?
I bought some supplements online... Boswelia, Aloe Vera, Psyllium, Fenugreek, Barley grass drink, Slippery elm... I'm not sure if I should try them at the same time...
I'm going home in August for a month...I'm planning to see a doctor in Sofia... Has anyone tried homeopathy? Seems like this disease is not so common in Asia... Which makes it more difficult...One thing I might have to say goodbye to is craft beer... My place is full of it.... And now all I can do is just look at it... I might have to give it away... 😐
Anyway... If you have any advice for a first timer... Please share anything... So difficult to stay positive these days... Especially having to face my students... Thank you in advance.

Welcome. I am sorry you're dealing with UC. It must be hard when you're not in a place where it's as well-known. We have members who have tried TCM, Qing Dai and acupuncture, and I don't think it can hurt. I would give it a try if I had the opportunity. You can do a search on the top of the page to look for posts. Many of us have tried the supplements you mention, aloe, boswellia, psyllium, slippery elm... Some have luck, some don't. Some have luck wtih diet, others, no luck at all. It's very individual. I personally would probably do one thing at a time, and not try to do 5 things, that way you know what works for you and you're not stuck buying and taking a bunch of supplements that may be doing nothing for you. I think right now, you're doing the sulfasalazine, so I would continue that for the moment and work with your doctor to get rectal meds, to see if you can get things headed in the right direction. Here in the US, we have doctors who specialize in IBD. If you can see one like that in your home town when you're there, that might be beneficial. The specialists tend to have the latest and greatest information. It doesn't mean they will get you to 100% over night, or ever, but seem like it gives the best shot. Some case are very mild and never progress - I hope this is the case for you.

How were you diagnosed? Did you have a scope with biopsies? stool tests?

notsosicklygirl said...
Welcome. I am sorry you're dealing with UC. It must be hard when you're not in a place where it's as well-known. We have members who have tried TCM, Qing Dai and acupuncture, and I don't think it can hurt. I would give it a try if I had the opportunity. You can do a search on the top of the page to look for posts. Many of us have tried the supplements you mention, aloe, boswellia, psyllium, slippery elm... Some have luck, some don't. Some have luck wtih diet, others, no luck at all. It's very individual. I personally would probably do one thing at a time, and not try to do 5 things, that way you know what works for you and you're not stuck buying and taking a bunch of supplements that may be doing nothing for you. I think right now, you're doing the sulfasalazine, so I would continue that for the moment and work with your doctor to get rectal meds, to see if you can get things headed in the right direction. Here in the US, we have doctors who specialize in IBD. If you can see one like that in your home town when you're there, that might be beneficial. The specialists tend to have the latest and greatest information. It doesn't mean they will get you to 100% over night, or ever, but seem like it gives the best shot. Some case are very mild and never progress - I hope this is the case for you.

How were you diagnosed? Did you have a scope with biopsies? stool tests?

Thank you!!! Yes scope and biopsy... Last blood and stool tests all normal.... Had mucus and pus before... The last day I've had some bright red blood again... Not sure what not to eat.... Haven't had coffee or dairy... Except yogurt... Might just try eating soft fruits for a week, not sure if it's a good idea🙄. I don't know anything about rectal meds or enemas... Appreciate it!

Fruit is really bad for me.
Rice, cooked chicken, well cooked carrots.
Low residue, low fiber...

I used to make wine. Can’t drink any more.

Good news is, every other person I know with this disease takes 2 to 4 pills a day and they feel fine.
The people on this site are not typical. We are the ones that don’t respond to meds as well.

For a lot of people this diagnosis is not a huge deal.
Hope that’s you, too!

Happier! said...
Fruit is really bad for me.
Rice, cooked chicken, well cooked carrots.
Low residue, low fiber...

I used to make wine. Can’t drink any more.

Good news is, every other person I know with this disease takes 2 to 4 pills a day and they feel fine.
The people on this site are not typical. We are the ones that don’t respond to meds as well.

For a lot of people this diagnosis is not a huge deal.
Hope that’s you, too!

Thanks man! I've been eating pretty simple...
White bread / wraps , baked zucchini, some fish, rice porridge, pumpkin, potatoes... There's a lot of steamed food here in China...
Juice some veggies... Carrots, cucumber, celery... Tried cabbage.. Not sure if it's a good idea.. But a lotta people swear by it...
Fruits - usually just bananas, mango, melon, papaya, peaches
My only problem now is that the diarrhea keeps coming back... Watery but not urgent...

Post Edited (Petar) : 6/4/2018 8:40:47 PM (GMT-6)

Happier! said...
I cannot eat anything at all that is raw.
When I’m really puny, my husband gets takeaway Chinese food.
But American, not traditional.

我喜欢中国菜。

I love Chinese food... My wife is from the North East of China...