concerned hubby

You're' right, you can't trust her GI. They have a vested interest in patients being medicated-forever. They have zero interest in seeing patients find a way to stay in remission without meds. I'd cut her gluten totally. No white bread. Grains can be hard to digest so you may consider reducing rice, although I realize it's a bland food that many eat, as I used to, during a flare. Broths are extremely healing, especially if you make it yourself from chix bones or other. Liquid, easy to digest foods is what she should be eating. Also, no caffeine whatsoever. Lots of water, warm herbal tea, coconut water, nothing that could be considered toxic.

Up the L Glutamine to 3 or 4 times a day and the powder version is best because it's easier on your body. Fish oil and Vit E are also important. Slippery Elm works to heal the intestinal lining and should cause no side effects. Relaxation is also super important, whether that be meditation, massage, deep breathing, yoga. I can't do yoga when my stomach hurts cuz it's too awkward and you're bending on your own tummy-ouch! But meditation, baths, and massage really help. Good luck!

bluechair said...
You're' right, you can't trust her GI. They have a vested interest in patients being medicated-forever. They have zero interest in seeing patients find a way to stay in remission without meds.

That is just bullcrap. They are wanting people on medication because the data is incredibly clear at this point even if the disease is poorly understood. People on medication will statistically have less flares than people that are not on medication.

One can try alternative diets and supplements but it should also be clear that being in a chronic state of inflammation is most likely way more damaging to your body than Remicade side effects. And that includes increased cancer risk.

I would suggest that you just do one natural treatment at a time and if it doesn't work move on to a different one. If it works and makes her feel better then you can try adding an additional one. This disease is expensive enough so the last thing you want to do is try two or three or more things at once and then if something works, you really don't know if it is just one of the things, some of the things, or all of the things. There's no sense to taking something and spending the money for it if it isn't even doing anything so by taking one new thing at a time at least you can manage that to some extent.

manalive,

Welcome to the forum.

I am glad you've found us, although it's too bad your wife has to be a part of this terrible club.

Yes, in my experience many docs love to push the big pharma drugs, and don't pay any attention or give any credence to diet, supplements, etc....

I have found that certain supplements, as bluechair has mentioned already, do help:

l-glutamine amino acid powder (can be taken for diarrhea: 1 teaspoon in  a little water or juice on an empty stomach, and it should be taken for long term colonic  repair as well), slippery elm powder is great, probiotics are key - is she taking any?

When was the last time she had her vitamin d3 levels checked? There's a big correlation between low d3 levels and IBD.

And since she is a vegetarian, and as you mentioned a recently malnourished one currently, she would probably be helped by vitamin b12 injections, no?

Diet modification can go a long way for many of us - by eliminating gluten and dairy.

I would also suggest: bowel rest via whey protein shakes made with almond milk.

And then there's LDN, low dose naltrexone which put me in remission. It's a cheap drug which has been around since the 1980's, essentially no side effects, but odds are your doc won't prescribe it. There are other ways to get it ( you can email me if you like).

Anyway, if any of this interests you, there are things IMO that you can control, which will have a direct impact on your disease, the symptoms you experience and their severity.

I was able to control my UC into remission through various supplements, probiotics, diet modification, and LDN , low dose naltrexone.

 

For more info on the protocol which has put me into remission, please go to this link: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1666318 , and look at the 11th post.

I hope your wife feels better and let us know how we can help you.

 

manalive,

If she is as depleted and malnourished as you mentioned, you'd be best off getting her some B12 injections every week for a month before switching to oral pills ( which take forever to be absorbed).

 

good stuff - even what gary said !

i would just add some all in the family and sanford & son reruns for her mental health !

Other than someone being a vegetarian, what's the big deal about a bone broth? Here's the benefits and you can research yourself to learn about its benefits.

Home made bone broth is absolutely amazing. It is easy to absorb a good broth, meaning we can easily access all the nutrients inside it. Chicken broth, for instance, is known as Jewish penicillin. However, there is one broth that is particularly beneficial for those with gut lining issues such as ulcerative colitis, celiac disease and Crohn’s disease. Traditionally made bone broth “It plays a critical role in soothing the gut and allowing the body to absorb critical nutrition in the most assimilable way. Loaded with minerals, one of our nation’s epidemic health issues, bone broth is a great way to replenish the body’s likely depleted mineral reserves.”

The benefits of bone broth are too many to mention. It comes from an age old recipe, from the times when people really struggle to access sufficient calcium in their diets. According to the Weston A Price Foundation“Bone broth provides our bodies with bio-available (very easy to consume, digest and absorb) forms of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and other trace minerals that are so lacking in our diets today.”

For people with Crohn’s Disease, bone broth is even more beneficial. It isn’t only about the calcium and other minerals, but also about the fact that the broth is completely gluten free. The understanding is that the high levels of collagen are what make the broth so suitable for people with Crohn’s disease or other issues of the gut. According to Holistic Self Healing “Collagen has been found to help heal the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the stomach and the intestines. This means that heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and many of the conditions associated with intestinal inflammation can be helped with bone broth.”

The same can be said for people with ulcerative colitis. Although this condition is also helped by an increase in collagen in our diet, the glycosaminoglycans help as well according to Donna Gates author of The Body Ecology Diet.

“Besides collagen, cartilage contains something called glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Studies have found an underlying deficiency of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in patients with Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. (4) Correcting a deficiency and helping to repair a compromised gut wall is another good reason to consume bone broth regularly.”

Bone broth has many other health benefits as well. It is no surprise that it has been used all over the world for thousands of years. Believed to have originated in ancient China, it has taken the world by storm and for good reason. Unfortunately, in recent years, it has fallen out of favor slightly, mainly because it does take quite some time to cook it. However, it will keep and you can make quite a lot of servings out of single pan of soup. When you understand the benefits of bone broth, as described by the Jade Institute you are likely to give it a go yourself.

“The prolonged cooking of bones in water results in a broth rich in nutritional constituents that promote strength, tonify blood, nourish in times of sickness and rehabilitation, and help to prevent bone and connective tissue disorders.”

We have discussed the collagen and glycosaminoglycans, but bone broth contains other fantastic nutrients as well. The cartilage, for instance, helps with degenerative joint disease, arthritis, lowered immune systems and IBS. The bone marrow helps your red blood cells to carry oxygen. It also builds up your white blood cells and your platelet count. The proline helps stabilize your blood sugars, helps with healing, improves gastric secretion and detoxifies your liver. The gelatine helps create new bone tissue and helps digestion.

Also, it took Humira to get me any sort of normality! If you check my signature below, you'll see some of the foods I avoid!