That's great about finding a new doc! I'm so happy for you! I'm glad that your husband is going to call about the records. I work in a hospital and know that it is illegal for them to hold them. You ask, you get. It should be as simple as that. Sorry to hear you are feeling so crumby. Hugs and best wishes on getting your records and seeing this new doc.

I am new to this blogging but my sister told me to surf and see what it is like. I came across yours right away and decided to write to you and tell you about my case of UC. I went several years being treated for Irritable Bowel Syndrome-living on Imodium with no results only "accidents". Three years ago my Dr. finally sent me to a gastro dr. who did a colonoscopy and diagnosed Ulcerative Colitis. I am now on 12 Asacol a day but can usually function well until the occasional flare-up. The diarrhea doesn't hit too often now but I still get the BIG tummy and cramping. Hopefully, your new doctor will get you on a good medicine. There are several like Asacol. I am just getting into a home business that deals in all natural products and I am hoping that in time I will feel even better. Valerie

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and about 2 years later with Mitral Valve Prolapse. I have been trying to read up and see if there is a connection. I see that you have both. Could there be a connection?

Sorry to hear about your Colitis. I have had it for years and it's about the same as you've described yours when it flares up. I take the meds when it flares up (asacol and steroids) but I wean myself off of them when the flare up eases. The Asacol makes my hair fall out and we all know that roids aren't great to be on. The doctors would presume that I would just keep taking the Asacol but how healthy is it to be taking medicine every day?
One food I have found that really seems to be good is natural, organic plain yogurt. I normally cannot tolerate any dairy as it has all the antibiotics which only irritate the colon. But, if you buy the anti biotic, hormone free yogurt from Whole Foods, it works great. I get the kind with 5 live cultures. The probiotics seem to help regulate the colon. Anywho, may God bless you with good health!

Just something else I ran across while researching probiotics. It's called Kefir. It's a fermented milk drink you can find at Whole foods in the dairy section and other health food stores. This is supposed to be even better than active culture yogurt for regulating the good bacteria in the colon. It has more live active cultures. Website below mentions the link between yogurt/kefir and their benifits to colitis sufferers.
Cheers to good health!

http://www.stonyfield.com/Wellness/MooslettersDisplay.cfm?moos_id=16

Hi all! I was diagnosed with colitis about 5 years ago. Doc told me i would be on asacol rest of my life! I went too the health store too find a natural way of healing without taking that horrible drug that makes your hair fall out. Kefir guys! I drink a couple big glasses a day, and NO MORE FLARE UPS IN ALMOST TWO YEARS!! remarkable stuff. i swear by it.

Probiotics have been shown to be helpful in certain types of patients with ulcerative colitis. However, not all probiotics are the same. Different commercial products have different bacteria in varying concentrations. Just as no antibiotic works against every kind of infection, same is true for the probiotics.

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 5 years ago. I went for years not taking any medicine at all, Then the symptoms got so bad I went to a doctor that put me on a steroid called Prednisone. Since then I've been trying to get off this steroid as it has given me other symptoms. The steroid now has no effect on me. Everytime I stop taking it though my symptoms get worse, I'm taking mesalamine and other medicine to help me, yet I am still suffering with diarhea, bleeding and mucus in my stool.

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 5 years ago. I went for years not taking any medicine at all, Then the symptoms got so bad I went to a doctor that put me on a steroid called Prednisone. Since then I've been trying to get off this steroid as it has given me other symptoms. The steroid now has no effect on me. Everytime I stop taking it though my symptoms get worse, I'm taking mesalamine and other medicine to help me, yet I am still suffering with diarhea, bleeding and mucus in my stool.

I was diagnosed with colitis in January of 2003. While diet and exercise has helped and I'm down to just one pill every other day, I think I can do better and am encouraged to learn of the success stories on this site.

I've been researching information on natural alternatives for treating colitis and am particularly interested in the Kefir recommendation. I am wondering how much Kefir you recommend drinking, if it matters if it’s a flavor or is it better if it’s plain, and is there a particular brand that you feel to be of higher quality.

I've also heard that GLC and Primal Defense are good. ??

I am offering anyone who has UC or CD and is interested in the true cure to write me and I will tell you the steps. Most 'average' people will consider my treatment 'radical' so only write if you are prepared for a 'radical' change in your life - but one that will likely lead to a pain free life.

My 19 year old son has UC for a year now. He's on 6+ Asacol a day, and I'd like to wean him off; when he has a flareup, the md puts him on prednisone, and I hate that (he does too). What's your plan?

I stumbled upon something that put my UC into a semi-remission, unless I get carried away with bad foods- popcorn, some hot mex foods, too much drink. While in a flare up and sick with a bad head cold my doctor gave me Entex which is basically a heavy dose of guaifenesin and phenylephrine. Soon after taking this medicine symptoms appeared to fade, within a week the flare up had almost completely disappeared! Because the Doc is not likely to give meds for unproven reasons, I now keep a stock of OTC Max-Strength Mucenex-D, this stuff is time release and very powerful, they keep it behind the counter at Wal-Mart. Forget the steroids and anti-inflammatory stuff, I've became a believer in guaifenesin and phenylephrine two a day during or before a flare really seems to keep it at bay!

My daughter is 18 and was diagnosed with UC in 12-2004, and was just released from the hospital last week with a severe flare-up. She takes 6 asacol a day and prednisone and two other meds. And the doctor's started her on the Remicade treatments to keep her in remission. It is so hard for her; because she has horrible flare-ups every few months. Can someone please offer some suggestions as far as treatment or diet that works for them; preferrably natural; so I can get her off those meds. I would greatly appreciate any and all suggestions. My daughter's name is Judy and she is a senior in highschool. It is so hard for her to keep up with school with these constant flare-ups. We live in Florida. I would also like to know if anyone could suggest a holistic or naturopathic physician. Thank you. Maryann G.

hello I was just diagnosed last week with ulcerative colitis they put me on amodium and lialda doesn't seem like either is working I don't know much about this disease except im pooping myself to death and i have to keep going to the hospital as an outpatient for potassium mine is all gone down the toilet. How long will this diarrhea last Im really new to all of this thanks if anyone will talk with me

All-

I wanted to share with you my mom's success with an all natural product which has eliminated her UC symptoms. It's an all natural juice product which has high anti-oxidants and strong anti-inflammatory properties. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at trfrench@yahoo.com

Leslie-

Would you mind adding a link to my blog on your site? I have had UC for 7 years and recently started blogging about my experience. glenyrd.blogspot.com. Thanks.

Glen

hi i had a chesty cough infection in November 2008 for around 8 weeks so i quit smoking due to this i got better and stuck away from the cigarette after some time my cough cured i had diarrhoea i didnt think much of it at the time i had it for around 7 8 weeks then went to the docter, the docter didnt say much gave me imodium but nothing happend so went again and had a blood test my results were raised. normal in patients was 15 mine was like 45 or somthing so had an appointment for a colonoscapy got this after a couple months and i was diagnosed with uc. the docter gave me asacol and said you will have to take this for the rest of your life you may never be cured!! i explained my situatuion to the docter and they said it might be because of you smoking that you quit it i said to them what? you mean you want me to start smoking again? they said no no but it may be cos of you quitting and they said you can eat anything you want even spicy and salty foods! i thought to myself if ive got ulcers then that would not nbe a good idea as when you have them in your mouth you cant eat certain foods either. but then the smoking thing was at the back of my mind so i typed it in google and i got alot of hits on it people saying its good for colitis and doctors saying the nicotine is good for the colon so iv started smoking a couple a day nothing has happend yet and it the second week anyone any ideas?? or viewa

Hi.. I hope the result will be beneficial for you. Looking forward for the result.