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Ulcerative Colitis
New here - need advice
alternative treatments - vitamins etc? - 0.0% - 0 votes
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Posted 10/25/2009 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with ulcerative colitis. I have been on Prednisone and Asacol, suppositories and have been hospitalized multiple times requiring IV fluids. I'm 32 and have a young child at home. I have been so sick lately that it's hard for me to go anywhere. I was hospitalized this week and had been going to the bathroon up to 12 times per day before going to the hospital. about 4-5 times per day was the norm prior to that, always with blood in it. Now I'm on Prednisone again and was told to double my Lialda indefinitely. I seem to vomit often too. So, I'm on Prednisone, Lialda, Zofran, Lexapro (depression & anxiety) valium (anxiety), Trazadone (sleep) and Xyzal (for itchy hive like skin rashes I get.) I am so depressed and sick and tired of feeling SO sick and tired. Has anyone tried any alternative type medicines that help or have any advice?

Thanks

(sorry, I don't know how a poll ended up on my post)

Post Edited (Micky3270) : 10/24/2009 10:41:25 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/25/2009 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Micky,

There's a wide range of alternative (non-drug) solutions that can bring some relief.

Probiotics seem to be mainstream now, and they make a significant difference for me. Also, adding a fiber supplement may help reduce the number of BM's that you're having. Vitamin E enemas helped when I was in a severe flare (you can search the forum for discussion threads on it).

Acupuncture may be worth looking into. Especially as it could possibly help with the sleep problems, anxiety, and depression, and hopefully that then can help you deal with UC better.

Try not to get too stressed out. There are solutions out there, so just keep at it and you should be able to find what works for you.

Hope you're fine soon.
Posted 10/25/2009 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HealingWell, Micky. If you go back through the pages of this forum, you'll find discussions of every form of alternative treatment that exists on this planet, I believe. If you have a certain topic in mind, you can search for it using that function at the top of the page.
Posted 10/25/2009 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Look at my post today titled "stopped a severe flare in 5 days." I'm not sure how it applies to you but I've had UC for 30 years. I really hate taking medicine, and a few drugs you are taking (Valium, for instance) frighten me and I wouldn't want to be dependent on them.

Not to sound preachy, but you seem ready for holistic, spirtual methods. Perhaps even an operation? I never wanted to go the operation route. If I were in your shoes I would stop all the anti-anxiety drugs and sleep aids as soon as possible. Try to deal with the anxiety maybe by getting massages, or praying, or working out, or watching old movies, or reading...etc. The less mind-altering chemicals you have in your body, really the better for colitis. Also tell your doctor you hate Prednisone (which is also mind-altering)...and try to get off that.

Start juicing. Juice spinach, yams, cabbage, celery, carrots...etc. It can't hurt, and juicing anti-inflammatory vegetables has amazing healing properties. Stop eating ALL preservatives. Read the labels on everything you buy and only get preservative-free. Stop drinking all alcohol (if you drink), and stop all soda pop.

Sometimes I think God (if you believe in him) gives us these ailments as a test for us to try to purify our own bodies. I don't believe loading our systems down with a bunch of chemically altered medications is the way to go. Hopefully things will turn around for you.

-John
Posted 10/25/2009 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'd stay away from processed sugar, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, and avoid wheat just in case that is part of the problem. Maybe ask about taking sulfasalazine, try a low dosage of it for a while, and see what happens, I take like 1/2 a pill 3 or 4 times a day I think it helps and it's way cheaper compared to other UC drugs, like $10 a bottle at Walmart for generic. Other drugs like Asacol just end up making me worse.

Increase vitamin D at least 2000mg day, C, A, Zinc, Bromelain + enzymes, magnesium . Cabbage juice can help. Canned Spinach and Sunflower butter or seeds has been mentioned on this board.

It's such an odd disease no body seems to have a good answer that works for everyone, you need to experiment, and even then it can be hard to tell what helps.

It is easy to get depressed from this disease, so don't feel alone. It is best I think to ween off them depression drugs though if possible, there are other more natural anxiety things you can take like GABA, and prayer never hurts.
Posted 10/25/2009 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
The things I use are listed in my signature below...I don't use any oral RX cuz I'm either allergic or non-responsive to them....
Posted 10/25/2009 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
I finally got into remission with Remicade, has it been suggested? It's not an "alternative" approach but has worked for many.
All the supplements and diet changes only worked for me for a little while.
Posted 10/25/2009 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. I don't know anyone who has this, and I don't know what to do. By probiotics do you mean Acidophilus? Is Vitamin D helpful? Sorry if this sounds stupid, but I'm confused about fiber too. I thought that was not a good thing for us and that it made you go to the bathroom more?

No, I haven't tried remicade, but I will ask my doctor about it. I'm not sure what to think about being on Prednisone again. I'm living in an extremely stressful situation and doing the best I can to control my symptoms and cope.

Thanks so much for all the helpful responses!

Micky

Post Edited (Micky3270) : 10/25/2009 5:57:27 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/26/2009 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Acidophilus is one strain of a probiotic (there are many) you might want to google the different strains to find which aids with your issues, many probiotics carry a variety of strains all in one pill, you want to look for at least 10 billion active cells and from my experiance I find the refrigerated ones are best, also one where you only need one/day is quite sufficient and more affordable as well...vitamin D won't hurt, especially if you're lacking in it...fibre aids with both constipation and diarhea, it's a good thing, fibre is your friend just start with a small amount and increase only if necessary and slowly, drink lots of water with it too, and stick with it daily so your system can adjust (it may increase gas and bloating which is normal adjusting for your system it will subside though).

:)
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