You may be feeling major stress because you can't afford Rx or even seeing a doctor about
your UC.
I just wanted to give you some positive thoughts. And I'm not selling anything
My insurance has a very high deductible but I have taken every drug that has been prescribed to me over 10 years. Zero improvement in my UC except for a steroid course and Rowasa enema, both were temporary improvement only. Drugs don't help everyone. I'm not the only one.
I am not advocating NOT taking Rx if you have access but there are other ways of helping yourself until you do.
Diet modification has been my salvation. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet.
I had to modify it a bit because my gut was so bad it hated most everything..
I had been tested for celiac (wheat/gluten sensitivity) and the test said I wasn't. Also tested for lactose intolerance. Test said I wasn't.
I began my diet mod. when my husband read an article online that said that many UC sufferers WERE sensitive to gluten and were underdiagnosed.
It is very easy to remove gluten from your diet and I would suggest starting with that. I had NO symptoms that I was gluten-sensitive. I loved bread in all it's forms. I thought it settled my stomach. But when I removed it (and only it) from my diet my bleeding stopped in 2-3 days and permanently.
After that success I decided to go full-bore into the Specific Carbohydrate Diet which I tried several years ago with no success. This time I paid strict attention to my gut and even if a food was "legal" on the diet I removed it. This time the diet worked for me.
Everyone's gut is different and what bothered me may not bother you. I removed fruit, fruit juices and the SCD yogurt.
SCDiet is very healthy, high protein and low-carb, low starch. You cannot hurt yourself doing it. But no it's not easy. You'll have to change the way you eat and grocery shop. You'll have to think more about
what you put in your mouth and gut.
Doctors don't support diet helping UC symptoms. They are trained to treat with drugs. And surgeons treat with surgery.
If you don't have access to Rx consider doing the diet. My grocery bill went down but time to prepare it went up. SCD is not a get-fixed-quick solution. For me it is an ongoing get-fixed-slow-but sure.
My second piece of advice is IF you can afford one Rx choose mesalamine enema. Not cheap but not as expensive as Rowasa.
Third, make homemade yogurt if your gut will tolerate it. Very cheap source of probiotics and healthy to eat, for you AND your family. I sweeten mine with Sweet n' Low and a few berries but honey is also "legal".
I wasn't able to eat yogurt until the 5th month but everyone is different.
Last, don't reject the diet because you think you'll have to give up certain foods forever. "One day at a time" is what I think. Today I won't eat chocolate
(But I have had "illegal" foods and not lost ground in recovery).
My heart is with everyone who despairs because they can't afford healthcare, forced to choose between buying food for their family or doctors. Don't go off the deep end with alternative therapies, lots of people prey upon sick people who are desperate for help.
Best wishes on everyone's road to recovery.
This may not work for everyone but it MIGHT help and can't hurt.
P.S. If I saw this post 2 years ago I'd say "It won't work for me" so I understand negativity. Been there.