Visit a Naturopath

[Esther Rokk]

I have had ulcerative colitis for 20 years. It was not much of an issue until about 6 years when I became so very ill and suffered a nervous breakdown as a result. I was prescribed anti-inflammatories but for me they made the condition worse. I realise they help many others but for a small percentage of sufferers they can make the illness worse. During this period I went gluten free and this helped somewhat. I still was not very well though. About 18 months ago I visited a Naturopath who specialises in colon disorders. She helped with diet and prescribed supplements and probiotics. When I started on this new regime I was starting to improve within 24 hours. Since then it has been just a gradual improvement all the time. I have put on weight, have so much more energy and am almost symptom free.

My diet is very strict: No gluten, no potatoes, tomatoes or capsicum. This diet may not benefit everyone but do go and see a Naturopath. They really do have something to offer and as long as you follow their recommendations strictly it is so worthwhile.

I was intrigued by the success others had with cabbage juice because that is one thing that was recommended to me by my Naturopath. I do not have a juicer so I just eat the cabbage in a coleslaw. It does not affect me in a bad way at all as you would perhaps be inclined to think. I can also eat onions too. These were foods I used to very often avoid, thinking it would make my condition worse. Just goes to show you are always learning.

 

[Ali29]

Welcome to the Forum, I saw a naturopath for about 6 months - unfortunately my case is so complicated that I was not able to make a difference in the quality of my life. Once my GI gets everything under control, I do want to try the naturopath way along with my meds so no further damage occurs.

Are you currently taking any meds?

 

[Esther Rokk]

I am so sorry to hear that the Naturopath was not able to help you very much. Your plan sounds very sensible to me - to get the disease under control and then try again with the Naturopath. Conventional medicine and alternative medical practitioners ie Naturopaths usuallly compliment each other beautifully.

No I am not taking any medication. It seems to make me very sick. A friend of both my husband and I has a severe form of Crohn's disease. He is under both his medical specialist and the same naturopath I go to. It seems to be helping him too.

Just don't give up. You will have bad days and better days. There is hope as I have found out. These conditions, I think, are caused through the types of foods we have to eat these days. Modern food is not in its original form so try to avoid highly processed foods and food additives too.

 

[Jennifer]

Hi Esther Rokk and welcome to the forum!

May I ask what medications you've taken in the past? Are you still actively seeing a GI to make sure everything is doing ok inside as a Naturopath is not able to do scopes etc? Also what supplements and probiotics exactly were you given to try (the names of each)? I'm glad you've been feeling better. Keep us posted.

 

[Cat1653]

meds

What is a Naturopath? I am currently taking mesalamine, prednisone, and imuran.

 

[Jennifer]

"Naturopathy favors a holistic approach with non-invasive treatment and generally avoids the use of surgery and drugs." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturopathy

 

[zilla7777]

I too would be most interested in knowing some of the naturopath's ways.

I figure, if anything can supplement my current treatment and improve my quality of life, I'm all for it!

 

[Hope345]

We started taking our daughter to a naturalpath about a month ago. she has been in a flare for almost 3 straight years and now she is 75% better.

I do feel the Remicade had its purpose in the beginning. It was a tough decision to take her off all her meds expcept for a cortifoam.

She is now on a strict anti-inflammatory diet and a few remdedies and tinctures the naturalpath has put together just for her and her symptoms. Wow! she almost has her life back.

Now this is not for everyone. I know it is just working for her so far.

 

[Cat1653]

I am still trying to learn what I can eat. Right now I am avoiding fresh vegetables and I had to cut out milk. I miss my yogurt...I am taking a pro biotic pill. So far nothing is working. I have always managed to keep my Crohn's in check until I had my knee surgery. I think the pain meds started my active Crohn's. The GI doctor disagrees. I used to take a lot of Advil for my arthritis. I quit taking this also. I am still unsure of the remicade. But I am willing to try it. I just want my colon to clear up enough to get the scope through so they can look inside.

 

[Esther Rokk]

Hi Esther Rokk and welcome to the forum!

May I ask what medications you've taken in the past? Are you still actively seeing a GI to make sure everything is doing ok inside as a Naturopath is not able to do scopes etc? Also what supplements and probiotics exactly were you given to try (the names of each)? I'm glad you've been feeling better. Keep us posted.

Hi Jennifer

I used to take Pentasa and have taken steroids during flare ups. I am under a Gastroenterologist and my GP as well. My naturopath is able to do some diagnostic work too. She does bowel cleansing which is a very gentle way to remove material that has been in the large intestine for a long time. She is able to tell from what comes away as to how your health is. I agree it is probably best to keep under conventional practioners as well though.

Because of our modern diets a lot of material builds up in the bowel and that is one of the main reasons we experience inflammation.

My naturopath gave me various "Practitioner Only" probiotics and would change them from time to time. I also had an enzyme powder to help with food digestion. As to what the probiotics were, I am not sure. You see every person is slightly different in their needs and these supplements are very carefully prescribed.

One of the very good supplements is called Ultra Flora SB Dysbiosis. The brand name is Metagenics and is manufactured in Australia. I only take this if I notice my health is a little off and it works a charm.

I have had various Metagenics probiotics and they are very good. Another Metagenics powder is called Glutengics. It aids the gastrointestinal area of the body. Once your condition is under control you do not need to take all of these supplements but I always take a probiotic. I hope that is helpful.

Once you start implementing your regime as recommended by your Naturopath you will notice an improvement almost straight away but it could take a year or two to really come right.

 

[Esther Rokk]

What is a Naturopath? I am currently taking mesalamine, prednisone, and imuran.

A Naturopath is a person who uses natural products and techniques to aid the body to heal itself. They advise you on diet and sometimes prescribe natural supplements to aid in the healing process. They are well worth a visit. If you are very strict and follow their instructions exactly I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[Jennifer]

Because of our modern diets a lot of material builds up in the bowel and that is one of the main reasons we experience inflammation.

Do you have a source for this? Or is this what your Naturopath told you?

 

[Esther Rokk]

I am still trying to learn what I can eat. Right now I am avoiding fresh vegetables and I had to cut out milk. I miss my yogurt...I am taking a pro biotic pill. So far nothing is working. I have always managed to keep my Crohn's in check until I had my knee surgery. I think the pain meds started my active Crohn's. The GI doctor disagrees. I used to take a lot of Advil for my arthritis. I quit taking this also. I am still unsure of the remicade. But I am willing to try it. I just want my colon to clear up enough to get the scope through so they can look inside.

It sounds as if you are having a rough time. Sometimes there is no particular reason why we have flare ups.

Arthritis often goes with Crohns and UC. I have had arthritis too at one stage. I took Vitamin C and that cleared it up.

It is very difficult to learn what to eat on your own and we don't usually have all the knowledge we need for our particular case. That is why I recommend you consult with a Naturopath and they will tailor a diet and supplement exactly for your particular needs. It may be you can eat some vegetables but not others. For me I cannot eat potatoes and tomatoes but you may be fine with them. You probably need a specialised probiotic, not one you just buy off the shelf too.

To get your health restored you need an all round approach.

Let me know how you get on. I'd love to hear from you again.

 

[Esther Rokk]

We started taking our daughter to a naturalpath about a month ago. she has been in a flare for almost 3 straight years and now she is 75% better.

I do feel the Remicade had its purpose in the beginning. It was a tough decision to take her off all her meds expcept for a cortifoam.

She is now on a strict anti-inflammatory diet and a few remdedies and tinctures the naturalpath has put together just for her and her symptoms. Wow! she almost has her life back.

Now this is not for everyone. I know it is just working for her so far.

Wow! I am so glad for you. Yes, you will notice a large improvement straight away! Just keep following what your Naturopath is advising you and your daughter should just keep improving. It may take a year or two until she is completely healthy but it will probably be just a steady improvement all the way. I have noticed it was like that for me.

 

[Esther Rokk]

Do you have a source for this? Or is this what your Naturopath told you?

I got this information from a very good book entitled "Happiness is a Regular Complete Bowel Motion" by Peter Edwards ND

A very easy and enjoyable read.

 

[farm296163]

I was diagnosed in December 2013 with severe Crohn's. Started on prednisolone and was feeling better and didn't want to start azathioprine. Thought about seeing a naturopath. Started azathioprine and ended up back in hospital due to reaction also AP6. Saw the naturopath while just on pred and staring take metagenics powders. I did start to feel better while on the pred and powders. Doctors wanted me to start Humira so stopped Pred and developed a mouth full of painful ulcers and oral thrush. I'm still taking the powders with the Humira and so far feel quite good. Just the normal Crohns issues arthritis, brain fog, etc. Only problem is Metagenics if very expensive for me and I am unable to afford the powders monthly. I'm going to see what happens just on the Humira. Or if I could afford the Glutagenics for maintenance I would much prefer that.