Alternative Treatment Perspective

I usually post in the Crohn's forum but lurk over here since more of you seem to take supplements or use alternative means to control your disease. I'm curious what your perspectives/beliefs about alternative treatments are--like you can rely completely on it, or it's a mix of both for you.

I've tried almost all the meds for Crohn's (Enytvio and MTX are the only 2), and they have either been ineffective or I've had bad side effects. I get acupuncture weekly, and take supplements. During my last flare I think the alternative treatments helped me getting into remission faster, and manage some of the side effects from prednisone and later Cimzia to an extent.

My acupuncturist thinks he can get me back into remission without Western medicine, but I remain skeptical. I was in remission for 5 years, and during that time I stopped all meds after not being able to tolerate Cimzia anymore. (My GI was involved in that decision and we kept a very close on things these last 5 years.)

I definitely believe in the power of thought, and so because I'm skeptical about acupuncture being able to heal my inflammation, on some level I'm thwarting myself. I see small studies from time to time, but there's not a lot of data about alternative routes, and of course it's looked down upon by a lot of GIs.

I'm rambling. I hope it makes sense. I'm curious to see how you look at it.

I have had very good results with alternative treatments. I also started these with my Dr suggestion to give them a try. Very unusual from what I hear. Mary

I've had better results from alternative methods than current RX but I also chose not to go higher than 6mp in RX, no immune-suppressives in other words.

I go in with an open mind on most things in life, which I believe contributed to my UC not getting better because I believed in what my GI RX'd me instead of actually admitting things were not better for 10+ years.

Acupuncture worked on my knee after MD's could not fix it so gave it a go for UC. Didn't do anything beneficial and my DCM doctor was highly qualified, even gave me herbs, again no benefit.

I kept trying many various supplements people here said worked for them and 90% either did nothing or made me worse. But in the end several supplements helped much more than RX.

In order of importance/benefit for me:
1. Diet modification. Removing most fiber, gluten, chip-type snacks. Eating more starchy foods (potatoes mostly).
2. 95% curcumin caps (without pepper)
3. Mesalamine enemas when I go off diet, get constipated and blood appears
4. VSL#3 probiotic, important in early days, now seldom needed
5. clay water, when gas and constipation need controlling
6. oil of oregano, helped in early days then later caused IBS. still keep it around just in case.
7. veggie juice. helped in early days when many foods caused problems
8. intermittent fasting. good results when gut was intolerant of many foods. gave my gut a rest and I believe allowed it to heal. haven't done it in 5 years or so

Any effect from acupuncture is probably placebo and only temporary.

Thanks. This has helped me realize I haven't found the right mix of things whether it's alternative or not.