remission!

I hope nobody minds if I share a little success story.

I can't believe I finally feel better. I know 2 1/2 months is nothing compared to what some people go through with flares, but it felt like so much longer. It was the worst flare I've had since being diagnosed 14 years ago. The first day of this month I was in the emergency room, after one of the longest nights of my life, filling the toilet with blood every hour. Spent the next six days in the hospital on fluids, IV steroids, painkillers, liquid diet, etc.

The next two weeks it was very day-to-day with my symptoms. Some days I'd feel like things were really improving, but most days I felt like I was heading back to pre-hospital condition. Those days were so disheartening. I felt like I was never going to get better. Like nothing was working. I know most of you can relate.

After doing some reading on here, I decided to try bee propolis. I've been taking that for almost two weeks now. Also, I've been taking the Align for a little over two weeks. Everything else I've taken since getting out of the hospital. Oh, and I also ate low-residue out of the hosp., but started adding some veg this week.

I'm not sure what exactly has caused this remission, or if it's a combination of things, but I am so happy something finally worked. I haven't had D in almost a week (last Saturday morning was the last episode!), no blood since then either. The pain is gone, except a few gas pains here and there. And when I do get them, I can fart. Without worry of something extra. I've gained 5 pounds. (108 now!....but that's enough! haha) I'm slowly getting my energy back (I can walk up stairs without feeling like my legs are going to give out). I just FEEL better. I've been given the green light to lower my Asacol dose to 1600mg/day (from 2400). And best of all, I feel like I can get back to living my life. UC totally took that away for the last two and a half months.

So the first day of this month, I was in the ER, incredibley sick, hopeless, defeated. Tomorrow, the last day of this month, I am going out with my friends for Halloween, and know I am going to be able to have a great time.

Thanks for reading :)

Thanks fruitgirl! My doctor never mention rectal meds, I don't have insurance so my presciption for Asacol is pricey enough as it is. I was covered for my hospital visit, but not meds. I may ask about them in the future, but for now I'm going to stick with what I'm doing and stay away from the ADVIL (positive that is what caused my flare). Huh. The word "advil" is so similar to the word "devil".

Thank you!! I honestly hadn't even thought about the holidays!! I've been so distracted! So true though, able to go to parties and dinners and just enjoy the time of year. It's amazing how many things we take for granted when we're not sick. Now they all seem like luxuries! I'm going to try to keep that in mind and really appreciate all the things I can do now. Like going to Boston next weekend (science museum, shopping, and dinner!) with my boyfriend (something he had planned for my b-day, but I was in the hospital).

 

LFTC: I bought mine at Whole Foods, $15 for a bottle of 60 325mg caps. Puritans Pride has it for $9.49 for 100 500mg caps. And you get a second free. I'm not sure if the one from Whole Foods is more pure or not, but that is a huge difference in price. The funny thing was that I went there for psyllium seed powder too (recommended by you), but they didn't have it. So I just got the BP and it seems to have worked wonders! I also was in a house for a week (work) with 4 victims of the swine flu and didn't catch it. I can't help but wonder if this was because of the bee propolis (it's known to be anti-viral, amongst other great qualities).

friutgirl: Thank you!! I will definitely check that out!

Glad you're doing better. Like an above poster mentioned you can get assistance when you don't have insurance with Asacol. I remember I got it completely FREE over the internet. I just did a search on free medicine and there are a lot of non-profit organizations out there willing to help. You only need to send them proof from your doctor that you don't have any medical insurance. I got FREE Asacol, and I know how expensive it is! Good luck.