Questions about Slippery Elm

[autumn_rose]

Hi, everyone. Yep, more questions from me (I'm full of 'em, it seems)

I've heard that slippery elm supplements can help coat the intestines to help reduce inflammation and protect the lining. Has anyone had improvements that they know are from taking the supplements? Likewise, has anyone had any negative effects, or interactions with their prescribed meds? Thanks!

 

[shazamataz]

Hi autumn,

I am taking Slippery Elm as recommended throuhgh some research and a couple of people with Crohns. I can't say if it is helping yet because I am still tapering my prednisone. However, I wanted to start some good habits now to help things along the way.

I am no expert but am all for using natural alternatives. I take the Slippery Elm in powder form as recommended by the health shop lady. Works better that way. Tastes rubbush, but I mix it up with warm water and just glug it down.

I understand doctors not wanting you to mix things as Shantel has said, but my understanding of this particular one is that it is not a herb/vitamin but actually a 'food', so I can't imagine it being an issue.

I am booked in to see a naturopath in two weeks and will post anything she tells me that she thinks will help as well as any effects. I expect this will be more obvious when i go off pred in a month.

I have been making diet changes too, thouhg, so I guess all in all it's hard to tell but if you feel good keep doing it!

probiotocs are also highly recommended and my GI was fine with me taking them when I was in hospital last month. As well as a multivitamin - i was recommended to buy a mens one as it has no iron. I know we Crohnies can have iron problems but iron supplements can play havoc with your boweuls so I am endeavouring to eat iron rich foods instead.

Try the elm, it surely won;t do any harm - except to your tastebuds!:tongue:

Shaz

 

[autumn_rose]

Shantel- Yeah, I understand the doc not wanting to mix things. But I also think some people are a bit corrupted and would probably just not want someone to take natural things because it would mean less money in their pockets- my first GI was that way. Not to say that yours is, I was just giving opinion I guess maybe I'm a bit paranoid, haha.

Shaz- Thanks for the info, and any future info you come across that you share. I also heard that it was more of a food, which made me think it would be pretty safe. I have capsules, I wonder if those would work ok? They do pop apart, though, and I could empty out the powder, if it really made a big difference.

 

[shazamataz]

Hi Autums, I am sure the capsules are fine. I partly chose the powder because it was cheaper and the cost of supplements can get a bit high!

Good luck!

 

[D Bergy]

I think for the most part doctors do not want you to take something that could react or interfere with medications.

They may think you are wasting your money, but at least want to keep you from a possible reaction.

I looked into Slippery Elm once, but do not remember a darn thing about it. I will have to dig into it again. I swear I have Alzheimers at times.

Dan

 

[autumn_rose]

Thanks again, everyone. Ha, well, like I said, maybe I'm just untrusting and paranoid about doctors (let's just blame it on the prednisone for now!).

 

[peleburrows]

sorry for my belated reply. my nutritionist recommended slippery elm to me which i have had (and still have for a 5ish months now, with a month or 2 off in between). i always have a soya yoghurt at work and mix a spoonful in with that. i can't say i've seen a huge difference, but maybe other people have. as the nutritionist said though, slippery elm is a food stuff so it actually has nutritional value in it so at least thats one good thing, unlike one alternative psyllium husk(sp?) thats also potentially dangerous i believe.