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Good afternoon,
I've been on entercort for a few weeks now, 9mg a day. I've noticed improvement in bowel symptoms, but not as much as I'd like, and I'm still very, very tired and achy. (I'm not sure if the fatigue is due to a deficiency, as I'm still eating primarily potatoes, rice, chicken, and now broccoli.)
My mom sent me a link to a naturopath and I am considering trying something with her. This does make me nervous as my system is easily "set off," and I worry about trying anything. But, she said her goal is to help my body correct itself and to get me off medicine, which I would love!
Have any of you tried this type of approach and what have you noticed any success/improvement? And here's her link, for those who might be interested or who may know more than I and can offer opinions/insight. http://www.heartlandnaturopathic.com/
homeopathic and naturopathic treatments?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Jennifer,
I have also researched more alternative treatments after my frustration with dealing with 5 different specialists (GI, PCP, Endocrinologist, Opthamologist, nutritionist) who don't speak with one another!!!!! I just set up an appt. with a local nurse practioner who is certified in functional medicine with the hopes that she can treat the "whole" me. It seems as though this practice takes the time to listen to patients (the initial consult is 2 hours), they took a lengthy health history from me and I think they will take a look @ all of the different systems in order to determine what the best approach is. I also don't like taking 3-4 different meds, hormones, etc. I think it's worth a shot!
I have also researched more alternative treatments after my frustration with dealing with 5 different specialists (GI, PCP, Endocrinologist, Opthamologist, nutritionist) who don't speak with one another!!!!! I just set up an appt. with a local nurse practioner who is certified in functional medicine with the hopes that she can treat the "whole" me. It seems as though this practice takes the time to listen to patients (the initial consult is 2 hours), they took a lengthy health history from me and I think they will take a look @ all of the different systems in order to determine what the best approach is. I also don't like taking 3-4 different meds, hormones, etc. I think it's worth a shot!
Hi Jennifer, If, I did not go holistic twenty years ago I would have a cabinet full of drugs to take every day. When, I found out that after my PCP gave me a drug to treat the side effects I was looking for an attorney. But, that is the what the medical community does and it would be a hard law suit to win. If the doctor had done a simple blood test for potassium, magnesium and zinc, he would have seen extremly low levels of these trace minerals. I still have have a PCP but only becasue of insurance. In my state insurance does not cover any visits to a naturalpathic doctor. I have to pay. It is a good investment as she deals with the whole body and understands the relationships of diet and trace minerals with the biochemistry of the body. She spent two hours and the cost was $150. I have hair analysis tests done and take the supplements designed to balance the trace elements. If you study the relationship of trace elements and their ratios it is amazing what an imbalance can cause. When meeting with a research doctor from a major Boston hospital about a high protein study for FSHD. He told me take he only had one course in nutrition at Harvard University. At least he was honest. I have had MC for ten years and do take any meds. I have learned to control it with diet and supplements. Jon
Jennifer,
The impression I get is that on the average, "alternative" doctors are much more likely to be interested in listening to their patients and learning from them (and learning with them), while many/most mainstream specialists seem to feel that since they already know it all, it would be beneath their dignity to learn from a patient, (besides, they don't have the time to devote to learning from patients — they're too busy making money — they only have a few minutes to devote to each appointment).
Aside from this, though, please be aware that for those of us who have severe fatigue as a symptom, it virtually always takes from 6 months to a year for the fatigue to fade away. The reason for this is connected with the high energy requirements associated with fighting the inflammation, and healing the intestinal damage.
Tex
The impression I get is that on the average, "alternative" doctors are much more likely to be interested in listening to their patients and learning from them (and learning with them), while many/most mainstream specialists seem to feel that since they already know it all, it would be beneath their dignity to learn from a patient, (besides, they don't have the time to devote to learning from patients — they're too busy making money — they only have a few minutes to devote to each appointment).
Aside from this, though, please be aware that for those of us who have severe fatigue as a symptom, it virtually always takes from 6 months to a year for the fatigue to fade away. The reason for this is connected with the high energy requirements associated with fighting the inflammation, and healing the intestinal damage.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank, Kathy! I'll let you know how it goes. (I still have to talk w/ my hubby. It is quite expensive, but if it helps me get my life back, it'd be worth it.)
Gluten, that is very encouraging to hear! Thanks.
Tex, I don't like hearing that my fatigue could last that long, but now I know what to expect, and I'll also take that as a good sign that I'm beginning to heal.
I hope you all are feeling well and strong! Thanks for your input.
Gluten, that is very encouraging to hear! Thanks.
Tex, I don't like hearing that my fatigue could last that long, but now I know what to expect, and I'll also take that as a good sign that I'm beginning to heal.
I hope you all are feeling well and strong! Thanks for your input.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8367
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Jennifer
If you check out my posts in the success area, you will see some info on natural therapy’s I have used
(and search on the word acupuncture, there are quite a few people that have had good success)
My best friend of over 12 years is a naturopath (and also has colonscopy proof that gluten and dairy were damaging her gut villi)
Before MC Dx and after I regularly had Acupuncture ( post MC this was a big help in reduce inflammation, treat the liver for leaky gut, immune system balancing etc)
BIA assessment and treatments via a Naturopath
Chiro/kiniselogy treatments
Various supplements
I reiterate what tex says time wise, in my case with strict MC friendly eating plan (GF/YF/DF/SF) that was low inflammation, leaky gut healing focus, added with the various natural therapy treatments it was 3 months to get to get a good stage and 18mths post Dx colonscopy stated that the MC was in remission
Have realistic expectations, natural therapy treatments wont cure MC, but it will enhance the healing process.
It took me 3 months to get rid of the fatigue and foggy brain once all the MAJOR Triggers were removed from the diet.
One thing I did find with all the practitioners. The ‘stock standard’ treatment protocol for IBS/IBD’s, did not work the same for MC. We had to tweak the approach a bit.
Most natural practitioners will start with probiotics. Based on the results of this forum and some of the studies coming out, probiotics for MC’ers work well once there has been considerable healing.
As most wholistic/natural therapies treat the cause, not the symptoms, be prepared that things can get worse before they get better, as the treatments tend to release the toxins causing the inflammation. A lot of people ‘give up’ when this happens as they don’t think the treatments are working
In all cases Ant’s saying of ‘softly softly catchee monkey’ applies. Take it a step at a time, don’t rush it.
If you check out my posts in the success area, you will see some info on natural therapy’s I have used
(and search on the word acupuncture, there are quite a few people that have had good success)
My best friend of over 12 years is a naturopath (and also has colonscopy proof that gluten and dairy were damaging her gut villi)
Before MC Dx and after I regularly had Acupuncture ( post MC this was a big help in reduce inflammation, treat the liver for leaky gut, immune system balancing etc)
BIA assessment and treatments via a Naturopath
Chiro/kiniselogy treatments
Various supplements
I reiterate what tex says time wise, in my case with strict MC friendly eating plan (GF/YF/DF/SF) that was low inflammation, leaky gut healing focus, added with the various natural therapy treatments it was 3 months to get to get a good stage and 18mths post Dx colonscopy stated that the MC was in remission
Have realistic expectations, natural therapy treatments wont cure MC, but it will enhance the healing process.
It took me 3 months to get rid of the fatigue and foggy brain once all the MAJOR Triggers were removed from the diet.
One thing I did find with all the practitioners. The ‘stock standard’ treatment protocol for IBS/IBD’s, did not work the same for MC. We had to tweak the approach a bit.
Most natural practitioners will start with probiotics. Based on the results of this forum and some of the studies coming out, probiotics for MC’ers work well once there has been considerable healing.
As most wholistic/natural therapies treat the cause, not the symptoms, be prepared that things can get worse before they get better, as the treatments tend to release the toxins causing the inflammation. A lot of people ‘give up’ when this happens as they don’t think the treatments are working
In all cases Ant’s saying of ‘softly softly catchee monkey’ applies. Take it a step at a time, don’t rush it.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
I am a firm believer in alterrnative therapies, and I choose to be followed by traditional doctors (MDs, DOs) too. I had good success with acupuncture and supplements (Culturelle, L-Glutamine, vit D3, etc), and now I use an herbal too (reishi). Although I'm battling an autoimmune disease now, I am certain I would have been much sicker, much earlier, had I not followed my GF/DF/SF diet and alternative therapies.
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I believe that "alternative" practitioners can be helpful but you still have to be vigilant, making sure that what they are recommending to you doesn't contradict what you know to be true about yourself, especially as it concerns food sensitivities. Many naturopaths use a lot of supplements which can possibly contain ingredients that you are sensitive to. Some naturopaths are just as guilty of not thinking outside the box as MD's tend to be. It's just that their box is different. In other words, you might find a naturopath to be helpful but you still have to be careful. And as Tex said, healing can be a slow process and sometimes patience is the most important ingredient to cultivate.
Jean
Jean
Jennifer,
Be cautious of fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and celery. They are not easy to digest and can cause bloating and cramps. I have tried broccoli cooked well and cut into small pieces and still didn't do well with it.
Cory
Be cautious of fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and celery. They are not easy to digest and can cause bloating and cramps. I have tried broccoli cooked well and cut into small pieces and still didn't do well with it.
Cory
CoryGut
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Cory is right, the squash family is much more "friendly" when you are just starting to add veggies. I echo Tex in that this all takes time. I was on Entocort in various doses for 6 months. And although I am off the drug now for a few months and doing pretty well, I still get set backs when I stray from the strict diet. Patience.
Leah
Leah
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humbird753
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:44 pm
- Location: Wisconsin
Hi Jennifer,
I agree with all of these posts. We are all similar, yet different.
In my case, I went to my PCP, then had my Colonoscopy, then (after the pepto protocol), went to a GI specialist who recommended either taking more pepto tabs a day (up to 15) or take Entocort EC. Although I have to admit I didn't understand what was going on (I mean at all), I still didn't feel right about any of the recommendations I was getting, so I went to a naturopathic doctor. I was impressed in that they do treat each person as an individual; whereas, the medical profession seems to put everyone in the same box. I still believe my ND's approach was on the right path, but too slow of a process for me and too costly. Between my consultations and a list a mile long of supplements, it was costing me over $500 every 6 weeks.
That is when I found this forum. It was very scary to think of eliminating the supplements my ND was recommending and only change my diet to GF/DF/SF. I felt like I was jumping off a cliff. I understand the extreme fatigue as many others here do as well. I look back and honestly wonder how I made it to work for 2-1/2 of the years I have had my symptoms. That was literally all I was able to do. It was like Tex said - it did take at least 6 months for it to fade away. I started noticing small improvements within a few weeks, but have seen most improvements this past month, and I have been on this diet for about a year now. And... I am expecting more improvements to come. As others have said, it requires a lot of patience, but it is worth it. In my experiences, I have taken a bit of what the medical field has offered, some of what my ND has offered, and MOST of what I have learned here. The only thing that has made a difference for me has been to eliminate the foods I am intolerant to.
I do plan to see my ND in about 3 months to get blood work done. I plan on sending her one of Tex's books before I go, as I believe she will read it. I will be anxious and willing to pay for the consultation with her after she reads the book to hear what loopholes she feels are in his theory (if any).
I do look forward to hearing what your ND has to offer, if this is what your decide to do.
Paula
I agree with all of these posts. We are all similar, yet different.
In my case, I went to my PCP, then had my Colonoscopy, then (after the pepto protocol), went to a GI specialist who recommended either taking more pepto tabs a day (up to 15) or take Entocort EC. Although I have to admit I didn't understand what was going on (I mean at all), I still didn't feel right about any of the recommendations I was getting, so I went to a naturopathic doctor. I was impressed in that they do treat each person as an individual; whereas, the medical profession seems to put everyone in the same box. I still believe my ND's approach was on the right path, but too slow of a process for me and too costly. Between my consultations and a list a mile long of supplements, it was costing me over $500 every 6 weeks.
That is when I found this forum. It was very scary to think of eliminating the supplements my ND was recommending and only change my diet to GF/DF/SF. I felt like I was jumping off a cliff. I understand the extreme fatigue as many others here do as well. I look back and honestly wonder how I made it to work for 2-1/2 of the years I have had my symptoms. That was literally all I was able to do. It was like Tex said - it did take at least 6 months for it to fade away. I started noticing small improvements within a few weeks, but have seen most improvements this past month, and I have been on this diet for about a year now. And... I am expecting more improvements to come. As others have said, it requires a lot of patience, but it is worth it. In my experiences, I have taken a bit of what the medical field has offered, some of what my ND has offered, and MOST of what I have learned here. The only thing that has made a difference for me has been to eliminate the foods I am intolerant to.
I do plan to see my ND in about 3 months to get blood work done. I plan on sending her one of Tex's books before I go, as I believe she will read it. I will be anxious and willing to pay for the consultation with her after she reads the book to hear what loopholes she feels are in his theory (if any).
I do look forward to hearing what your ND has to offer, if this is what your decide to do.
Paula
Paula
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
"You'll never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
I totally agree with Jean:
My fancy integrative medicine doctor (med school in addition to alternative training) sent me to a rheumatologist as soon as he realized I had a potentially serious autoimmune disease brewing. Suddenly all his supplements and acupuncture didn't seem so potentially curative. And I was surprised to hear my Chinese medicine doc/acupuncturist RECOMMEND steroids to deal with my active inflammation.
They are not miracle healers. Sometimes they are just supportive therapy. But I think they are an important part of our team.
Note: I was following a Dermatomyositis patient on a forum who claimed she achieved remission on Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live diet. I was so hopeful, I started planning how I might go extreme paleo, maybe even vegan, to cure myself. Then I saw a recent post...she's back on IVIG infusions (heavy-duty treatment for DM), and still on the Fuhrman diet. I was CRUSHED.
The more naturopath and integrative medicine practices I look up, the more I realize they are treating the same 15 conditions...fibromyalgia, lyme, chronic fatigue, etc. I realize they believe all these conditions arise from similar causes and lifestyle factors, but each patient is different, and sometimes their usual approaches won't work for us, especially the mounds of supplements they tend to prescribe.Some naturopaths are just as guilty of not thinking outside the box as MD's tend to be. It's just that their box is different. In other words, you might find a naturopath to be helpful but you still have to be careful.
My fancy integrative medicine doctor (med school in addition to alternative training) sent me to a rheumatologist as soon as he realized I had a potentially serious autoimmune disease brewing. Suddenly all his supplements and acupuncture didn't seem so potentially curative. And I was surprised to hear my Chinese medicine doc/acupuncturist RECOMMEND steroids to deal with my active inflammation.
They are not miracle healers. Sometimes they are just supportive therapy. But I think they are an important part of our team.
Note: I was following a Dermatomyositis patient on a forum who claimed she achieved remission on Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live diet. I was so hopeful, I started planning how I might go extreme paleo, maybe even vegan, to cure myself. Then I saw a recent post...she's back on IVIG infusions (heavy-duty treatment for DM), and still on the Fuhrman diet. I was CRUSHED.
Jean & Paula, I've had similar experiences as you.
I've spent thousands of dollars out of pocket searching for relief using alternative medicines. I've seen three homeopathic practitioners who I believe did everything they knew to try to help but being unfamiliar with MC the money was wasted. I also saw a chiropractor who also practices functional medicine who was very close to being on track but like Paula, the office visits and supplements were too expensive especially since I didn't see any improvements. I believe in alternative medicines but without knowing where to start first, it can be unproductive. It makes me sad that so much hard earned money has been wasted. It is this site that put me on step one to healing. I believe I would have been more successful had I known what foods to eliminate BEFORE any other treatments.
That being said, I am now seeing an acupuncturist and haven't made up my mind yet how I feel since it's on only been two visits. I agree with Jean that you have to listen to what you know. Probiotics have been suggested yet the brand offered has lactose something in the ingredient list. I have to look into it to see if its dairy related. I did take some herbs that was supposed to help with other problems I'm having but I believe it has caused my D to become worse. The two electro acupuncture treatments have helped with my headache and neck tension. It's money I don't really have to spend but don't have a choice at this point.
Patience is definitely required.
I've spent thousands of dollars out of pocket searching for relief using alternative medicines. I've seen three homeopathic practitioners who I believe did everything they knew to try to help but being unfamiliar with MC the money was wasted. I also saw a chiropractor who also practices functional medicine who was very close to being on track but like Paula, the office visits and supplements were too expensive especially since I didn't see any improvements. I believe in alternative medicines but without knowing where to start first, it can be unproductive. It makes me sad that so much hard earned money has been wasted. It is this site that put me on step one to healing. I believe I would have been more successful had I known what foods to eliminate BEFORE any other treatments.
That being said, I am now seeing an acupuncturist and haven't made up my mind yet how I feel since it's on only been two visits. I agree with Jean that you have to listen to what you know. Probiotics have been suggested yet the brand offered has lactose something in the ingredient list. I have to look into it to see if its dairy related. I did take some herbs that was supposed to help with other problems I'm having but I believe it has caused my D to become worse. The two electro acupuncture treatments have helped with my headache and neck tension. It's money I don't really have to spend but don't have a choice at this point.
Patience is definitely required.
Fatigue and Joint / muscle país
Officialy is On my way! Year since LC dx. But it is un tío now that I have been experincing extreme fatigue and muscle joint pain. The majoRity of Stools are solid. Is this normal? Or deos these (fatigue and pain) are a sign my inflamation is worse?
Ingrid