Beth playing the massive violin (or is it a cello…or bass..?) (Help Beth:)
a little about her:
My name is Beth and I have been living with UC for about 8 years, until last August it was very well controlled primarily with diet and 3 to 4 days of prednisone once to twice a year, usually when travelling. Then it all went you know where in a handbasket.
I was up to 40 mgs of prednisone and NOTHING else worked.
Here’s what I’ve found out. There is a strong correlation between lack of vitamin d-3 and auto immune disease. I had NONE. 30 days after starting 5000mg of vitamin d-3 (sublingual) I am down to 15 mgs of prednisone with no bleeding. Tomorrow I go to 10. WISH ME LUCK.
I still feel like there is SOME ulceration- I have a little burning in the lower right side still, and am trying natural remedies that help with ulcers such as chamomile bilberry and yarrow, which help rebuild the mucus lining of the stomach and intestine. Slippery elm, garlic supplements, cabbage juice and DGL Licorice supplements MAY also help. For withdrawal headaches I used Hyland’s Homeopathic Migraine Headache Relief
, NO NSAIDS, they cause bleeding. I’ll write again in a week or so and report how it’s going.
Some more about Beth:
We travel a lot, which is sometimes problematic with Ulcerative Colitis, but we try to rent condos wherever we go, so we can cook and I can stay healthy. My friends would say I am a chronic overachiever, but they have OBVIOUSLY never looked in my closets. . . . .
Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms Beth’s Dealing with:
A LITTLE bit of burning , lower right side of the abdomen, NO bleeding, NORMAL bowel movements
Beth’s Story – Don’t Give UP – Remission is Possible
I am 62 years old and I have had UC for 8 years. I travel a lot, home-school my son and absolutely HATE taking any more prescription drugs than I have too. So far I have managed with prednisone for flares and no maintenance drug, and I am praying that I can continue to do that.
I am determined not to let UC change my life for the worse.
I am much more than this disease and I also refuse to totally give control of my life over to the medical profession. I’m trying to be as educated on the subject as possible, and anything you can add will be greatly appreciated. One thing I have read in nearly EVERY medical journal is a strong correlation between a lack of vitamin d and auto immune disease. If yours is low- your Dr. can check with a simple blood test- the recommended dose is 5000mg a day until it comes up and then 500 to maintain.
I’ve been doing this for 30 days and it seems to have a big difference.
I’m also wondering if anyone else has horrible headaches when they step down off of Prednizone– I do and NSAIDS are not an option for me, as they will almost always start the bleeding again. I used a homeopathic migraine relief medicine made by Hyland’s Homeopathic Migraine Headache Relief this time, combined with Robaxin, which my family doctor has prescribed for me for headaches, muscle pain as needed and it worked. That was great, because no matter how carefully I step down I get HORRIBLE headaches from 30 to 15 mgs of prednisone.
Also, has anyone else discovered that they simply cannot drink wine while on prednisone? One glass and it’s migraine time. What a bummer!
My doctor is very skeptical of vitamin therapy and supplements, so I’ve done a lot of research on my own. I’m trying to stick with things that are benign and have anecdotal evidence in reducing ulcers, such as chamomile, yarrow, bilberry, things with flavonoids (red grapes, plums, legumes) My basic premise is that if I continue to bathe the colon with things that soothe, rather than inflame, it has to help. Right now I am stepping down from 40 mg of Prednisone for my last flare- I’m down to 10. I’m also taking 5000 mg’s of vitamin D3 daily, 500mgs of non gmo garlic in soft gels daily, 600mgs of chamomile daily (tincture or tea) and avoiding alcohol, grains and processed foods.
Medications – Treatments for the UC
10 mgs of Prednisone currently, stepping down from 40. I am also using 5000 mgs of vitamin D3 and 500 mgs of softgel nongmo garlic, as well as 600 mgs of chamomile in a tincture daily to help rebuild and maintain the mucus lining of the intestine, colon and stomach
written by Beth
submitted in the colitis venting area
My name is Beth and I have been living with UC for about 8 years, until last August it was very well controlled primarily with diet and 3 to 4 days of prednisone once to twice a year, usually when travelling.
