Alternative treatments for Ulcerative Colitis flare-ups?

[mike0987]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with UC some 12-13 years ago. I had begun taking medicaton (back then Pentasa), and after a month and a half stopped taking it because it seemed to irritate me more than anyhing else -at first it had cut diahrrea quickly. But it began irritating me (my stomach I think, and my intestines).
Being averse to taking drugs unnecessarily, I stopped completely and never suffered from UC again until 8 years later and the flare up did not occur 'spontaneously'. I had been binging on chocolate (something I'd never done before) for several weeks. I felt that my resistance to this type of consumption decreased over the weeks, with occasional diahrrea becoming chronic.
(I went to an emergency 2 out of 3 times, got treated but always stopped taking the medication after a while, and was always fine afterwards).
I suffered the same thing 3 times over the last 4-5 years, always the same pattern. I never had any flare ups other than after one of these these binges.

The last time I saw a gastro-enterologist, in 2006, he told me that there was no evidence that food could trigger a UC flare up..

But to me, it was evident that that's how this happened (that it had led directly or indirectly to the flare up). I could feel how my diet had affected my intestines. It wasn't just a correlation I was drawing.
Needless to say I've had enough of this and will be watchful of my diet.

Now I'm wondering, can this be treated other than by drugs? I don't seem to have a very bad case of ulerative colitis, judging by how easily I could have a remission and how stable it was.

I'm currently finishing a leftover presription of mesalamine -exp.: 07-2007 - to help fight off inflammation. I've read that prescription drugs were often safe, way beyond the expiration date. Don't have much of it left though.
So without going through the 'hassle' of getting an appointment, trying to get treatment, etc. is there something I can do on my own?


Thank you.

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
Flareups could occur due to the following factors -
•Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
•Respiratory illness
•Infection of the gut
•Antibiotic
•Psychological stress

It is better to get treated by your doctor during flareup rather than treating yourself.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[mike0987]

Sorry, just wanted to correct: I went to the emergency the first 2 occurences of the flare ups (after being in remission for 8 years). I didn't go to the emergency 2-3 times for the first flare-up... and as an additional detail, it was at least 2 years between each episode, 3 for the last one (the current one).

"Diet" does seem to be the trigger of these flare ups.