Ulcerative Colitis
It seems like I've had ulcerative colitis forever. At first I got other diagnoses – hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, fissures. But after I had a colonoscopy, the final diagnosis was ulcerative colitis.
I was put on a drug called asacol – eight a day. The specialist said that eventually I'd be able to taper off. Not so. That was years ago and I'm still on the same dosage and I still have ulcerative colitis. When I get a bad flare-up, I'm put on prednisone – pills, enemas. I've even taken it by intravenous . The bleeding and diarrhea clear up, but guess what? Thought it was a goner but the colitis came back.
One thing I've learned is to watch my diet. I avoid hard to digest foods like corn and popcorn. Eating lots of whole grain foods is helpful. In a book by Jeff Leach called It's the Fiber, Stupid we read:
Dietary intake of fiber has been linked to a dizzying number diseases and ailments including heart disease, colon cancer, IBS, diabetes, obesity – and the list goes on. Importantly, fiber is food for the good bacteria that live in our bodies and our low fiber diet is literally starving them.
And I know I get tired of everyone from the dietician to the doctor to my weight loss group telling me to drink lots of water, it's true. Water is good for many health problems. Ulcerative colitis is one of them.
Another aid to ulcerative colitis relief is the use of probiotics. What are probitoics? Dr. Joseph Mercola, in his blog, tells us:
Probiotics are preparations of living microbial cells that, when ingested, are thought to positively influence the composition of microbes in the gut and improve the health of the intestine. In this clinical trial, 86 percent of those treated with a probiotic bacteria mixture experienced relief of their mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
Well, I've tried all these things, the pills, the diet, the enemas, and I'm still struggling. Ulcerative colitis puts a real cramp in your lifestyle. I see the specialist in March and I'm crossing my fingers, hoping for a new miracle cure.
March 30th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Hi there, I’ve just read your blog about Colitis and I’m so sorry you have it. It’s a cruel disease and it’s something I have also. I’ve had it for 14 years now…and just as you wrote, it keeps coming back! I’ve recently tried a new diet regime called the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (or just SCD). It’s a book written by an American lady and she seems very clued up! The diet is strict but is quite effective, if you need anymore info I’ll be happy to help
)
The book is called ‘Breaking the Vicious Cycle’ by Elaine Gottschall. Sending you lots of love and prayers, Emma Brown (U.K.)
March 30th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
Thanks Emma. Actually I just bought Vicious Cycle but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I also belong to a Yahoo Mailing list which is where I learned of the diet. What surprised me a bit was the reference on the book cover to autism.
June 4th, 2007 at 4:34 am
I have been recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I am in the early first stages of treatment on a low fibre diet. I will be getting a copy of the Breaking The Viscous Cycle by Elaine Gottshalll which containes the Specific Carbohydrate Diet that I have heard such good things about. I would love to hear from other women about their strategies failures and successes when it comes to diet. I’d love to beat this thing.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Hi, Has anyone noticed that when it starts getting hot for summer you start getting flare ups. I am just now starting probiotics. I pray that they will help me i am miserable. I also have been doing a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil everyday and can say i am some better. I have been trying to do this natural and not on any medications if possible. I do notice that some of you are on massive steroids and other medications and they are not working. That is why i am so not ready to take anything medication wise…If anyone is having any other good results naturally i would love the info.
January 26th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
I’m pretty sure you have heard of how probiotics can help but then I heard about how ‘prebiotics’ are super helpful too. I found a product called ‘Healthy Bowel Suport’ and used that with the homeopathic formula for UC and started to get back on track pretty fast.(I got mine from http://www.diverticulitisinfo.com)
April 11th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Hello~ I have had UC for about 10 years, and when I’m not in a “flare” I feel very lucky that the meds I take seem to help. I take entocourt and azathioprene daily, but without any side effects that are noticeable. I have regular bloodwork done to make sure I’m maintaining good health. When I do have a flare, I take prednisone for a few days to a week and it seems to really work. My flares have been coming more often, but I have had super stres this year, so hope that is the cause rather than progression of the disease. I have never been hospitalized, and I am very grateful for that! I appreciate having a place to discuss this as none of my friends really understands, or wants to hear about it!
February 18th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
In case you aren’t aware, and are interested, many people are completely healing, or significantly improving, illnesses such as digestive problems, crohn’s, autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, and cancer, using non-conventional treatments. I personally have been completely healed from crohn’s this way, and my autoimmune disease is healing too. My story, and all the information I’ve learned, is at thetruthinthisworld.com.