colitis

[kaffini]

I was diagionsed with ulcerative colitis 4 months ago i have gotton worse within the last 4 months constant trips to the bathroom i am on medication and it does not seem to be working at all on an average of 30 times a day seems like my bowel movements are like clots of blood i have no life and cant seem to get any help i have lost 20lbs can anyone help me or offer and remedies that may help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There are a variety of treatments for ulcerative colitis.  If these options haven't been tried, you may want to discuss them with your physician.

Oral 5-ASA drugs (i.e. mesalamine), topical therapy with either 5-ASA or steroids, and systemic corticosteroids are mainstays of treatment.  If there continues to be symptoms, additional therapy needs to be discussed.

This would include immunomodulator therapy such as Azothioprine, 6-MP or Cyclosporine or oral antibiotics.  Fish oil has been shown in small studies to help as well.

If medications are not helping, then surgical options for treatment should be considered.  

You may want to discuss these options with your physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[KcMtch]

kaffini,
I feel for you.  I was diagnosed with have Ulcerated Colitis two years ago.  My GI put me on (spelling) apical, prednisone & cort enemas, to try to stop the bleeding.  Well that did'nt help me at all, everything just kept getting worse.  So i started researching colitis on the web, talk about information it seemed that every site had the mircle pill that would rid me of colitis.  Well none of that worked.  I started looking at the foods i was eating, my GI said food has nothing to do with colitis.  I started juicing cabbage, spinach, fruits & gave up all processed foods oh and MEAT.  After two weeks, the bleeding stopped, my stomach burn went away & the 20 trips to the bathroom stoped.  Three months ago i went in for a colonoscopy & my GI informed me that my colon was healed.  My colitis at one point was so bad, I remember sitting in the bathroom for over 5 hours.  My GI is the best, he still does'nt fully give the diet change the credit to my healed colon but he does recomend I stick with my diet.  

    Stay positive

[Biskie]

Azathioprine (Immuran) works well for me and no side effects. Also, no meat (sometimes organic hamburger, but that's about it). Bananas and fruit that is not acidic work, as well as COOKED vegetables. No chocolate, alcohol, spicy foods, colas.  Baked beans are also good. Lomotil works for the runs. Your emotional state of mind is also important. Stay focused.  Good luck.

[Ram0521]

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis in December. I was put on Colazal which has been wonderful for me. I was also put on a low fiber diet that does not include many vegetables at all. I notice on the board that someone said not to eat meat. I was advised I could eat meat, and not able to have any fresh fruits except bananas and melons without seeds. Also advised on the diet plan I am on I can have squash with no seeds, spinach, green beans, potatoes with no pealing and beets. Doesn't leave me much of a choice. I would like to get some of my weight off but with these restrictions I don't have much help. Also noticed that the message board states vegetables are ok if cooked. Can someone please help me if possible with what type of diet would be good for me. thank you

[Biskie]

About a diet - work with a nutritionist in your area for colitis - they are a little expensive, but they know what they are doing, and they have done it for others. Stay off the quick weight-loss diets - they will not work with colitis - I know, I've tried. It has taken me 25 years to work out what I can and can't have. That's all anyone with colitis can really do, but the nutritionists can lead you in the right direction. Good luck.

[nyc]

Has anyone had any experience with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet?  I have proctitis and it is probably ulcerative - I am taking asacol (2 pill 3x per day).  I took that dose for about 2 months and thought I was better.  By my doctor's recommendation, I reduced the asacol to 2 pills 2x per day but the symptoms came back almost immediately.  Now that I have been back on the full dose for 2 weeks, it seems like it is not helping as much as it did the first time...

[Biskie]

Look for Jordan Rubin's book, "The Maker's Diet."  He says that he tried the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and it did not work for him.

[DopesAddiction]

I was diagnosed about 2 years ago with Ulcerative Colitis. I'm 28 yrs old, I am on Asacol 2 tab 3x's a day. At first the meds seemed to work well, the bleeding stopped and I gained the 30 pounds back that I lost in less then 2 weeks. I've since had another flare up, which has lasted so far about 3 months, with it I also have a skin condition that I wasn't warned about, joint and muscle swelling to the point that I can't even walk, and have been hospitalized. I was put on Prednesone, 16 pills a day to start, now I'm down to 3 a day but the bumps on my legs are returning, and I can feel the swelling in my face getting worse. I want to try something natural to help out with my recovery, but as most doctors will, mine advises againt anything other then what he is giving me. I've heard cabbage juice, and active bacteria's are very useful. (Acidopholus, and probiotic blends)I also have a somewhat higher then healthy stress level, and I need help with my diet and eating habits, are there websites designed for anything that I've mentioned here? Please help. Thanks!!

[DopesAddiction]

I was diagnosed about 2 years ago with Ulcerative Colitis. I'm 28 yrs old, I am on Asacol 2 tab 3x's a day. At first the meds seemed to work well, the bleeding stopped and I gained the 30 pounds back that I lost in less then 2 weeks. I've since had another flare up, which has lasted so far about 3 months, with it I also have a skin condition that I wasn't warned about, joint and muscle swelling to the point that I can't even walk, and have been hospitalized. I was put on Prednesone, 16 pills a day to start, now I'm down to 3 a day but the bumps on my legs are returning, and I can feel the swelling in my face getting worse. I want to try something natural to help out with my recovery, but as most doctors will, mine advises againt anything other then what he is giving me. I've heard cabbage juice, and active bacteria's are very useful. (Acidopholus, and probiotic blends)I also have a somewhat higher then healthy stress level, and I need help with my diet and eating habits, are there websites designed for anything that I've mentioned here? Please help. Thanks!!