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I happened to be watching a documentary with my roommate and there was a man with IBD(Irritable Bowel Syndrome). He was also overweight and came up with the idea to start a 60 day all juice diet. All in all he lost plenty of weight. Personally I don't have an issue with my weight but I was intrigued when he mentioned that after about 2 months he was able to stop taking his medications which included Prednisone. This got my attention because I have been taking prednisone as well for my Ulcerative Colitis for about 4 years now and know that there are long term effects that come along with taking the medication. I have tried Humira temporarily to see if that could substitute for prednisone, but no luck. So when I heard about this diet I was skeptical but very intrigued. I have not yet tried it, but wanted to know if anyone has ever heard of such a diet or attempted such a thing themselves? Or  if you know of any medication that helped you get off a steroid like prednisone.

 Reply posted for alanschachter.

Hey Alan, just curious as to what you meant by the foods being "know"...

 Reply posted for savinmichael.

So...tapering off the prednisone should be your first goal.  You're right-everyone is different.  I can tell you as a UC'er for 28+yrs who has been thru pretty much all the meds.  I am currently taking Humira and it took a really long time to kick in-like 3 months!! Of course I started in a very deep hole.  Diet does play a factor.  You should keep track and avoid foods that bother you.  You can research the other diets-some people have had luck on those, some not.  Medicine should not be taken lightly, there are tons of side effects.  Keep reseaching and do what is right for you and your body and work with you doctors...don't sit back and "be doctored" be part of your treatment.  As far as bleeding, I did get a  PRESCRIPTION for VSL#3DS-higher dose probiotic which you can take 1-4 packets(900 billion) which I think helped stopped my bleeding(along with the Humira).  Cheaper by Rx for the amts. we need.

Keep reading and educating and be proactive in YOUR health.

 Reply posted for Smiller68.

My symptoms are pretty mild compared to most people on here it seems. I only go about 4-5 times a day. The only time I have urgency to go is irst thing in the morning. The rest are usually somewhat controllable, but not always. Minimal blood in my stools. I only notice it when I skip a meal sometimes. Rarely do I get cramping, only when I used to forget to take my meds but not I know better.
I have been trying to get weened off the prednisone for about the last year or so. At first I was not putting much effort in keeping communication with my GI so he was shocked to realize I was still taking such a large dosage. We have decreased the dosage since but then my original GI retired from his practice and I was given a new GI that he recommended to me. So it was like starting all over again as far as explaining things and having to do colonoscopys again.
I had been taking humira hoping it would replace my prednisone and after about a month with no noticeable difference and I am now in the works to try an infusion type of medication.
But diet is the one thing I still have yeet to figure out. It is so frustrating because no matter what advice people have on certain foods, they always end with "But everyone is different." So I'm still left with having to experiment with certain foods and guess which meal may have started a flare up. Very frustrating.

 Reply posted for savinmichael.

Jucing alone is not a good idea but including freshly extracted juices in your diet are very healing. Dr Natasha McBride author of GAPS recommends it.

Personally I don't know what I would do without my juicer after a flare. I find fresh carrot juice to be very healing to my insides after a flare up. Fruit juices are hard for me because the are acidic but vegetable juices are alkali which seem to really make me heal faster. Fresh chicken stock is great too when it hurts to eat.

 Reply posted for savinmichael.

So you don't mention any symptoms.  Have you really been on prednisone for that long?  Any doctor would/should be weaning you off of prednisone and trying other meds.  I'm not sure you are armed with enough info.  Some of these meds. take longer than others to "kick in".  Perhaps you need more discussion of meds.  There is usually a progression-you can't just try meds. like humira out.  Diet does play a role.  Talk with your doc. and read some of the other boards and UC info.  Educate yourself.  Maybe a new doctor?        Good luck.

 Reply posted for katya.

Thanks, I meant to type IBS, I didn't even know there was such a thing as IBD.

I'm still trying to figure out a way to get off my prednisone. I'm going to talk to my GI about starting an infusion. Hopefully it works.

 Reply posted for katya.

Thanks for the soapbox...I didn't want to do it, but in a nutshell...IBD-NO CURE!!  (The "gift" that keeps giving!)

 Reply posted for savinmichael.

Just for people to know.... Irritable Bowel Syndrome is IBS  and it is very different from IBD:  inflammatory bowel disease which includes Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Crohn's Colitis/ Indeterminate Crohn's or Colitis. 

IBS is a motility disorder that can often cause cramping and diarrhea.  food intolerances , celiac disease, and stress can be contributors. 

IBD is an autoimmune condition that is vastly different ! It causes ulceration of the lining of the digestive tract.  Which can lead to bleeding, perforation, scarring, strictures, fissures and fistulas as well as a whole host of side affects and secondary symptoms.

 For those of us with sick guts... it's important to know the difference.  And when you are talking with healthcare providers and they make the mistake < I have found often!>  It is time to educate them.  Speak up for yourself, and for all the people who will get misinformation from them.  You might just save a life!
Thanks, I am off my soapbox now.