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My best fried was recently diagnosed with UC and has been in and out of the hospital (mostly in) trying a ton of treatments and having severe flare ups. I was wondering if anyone could give me insight on how I can be there for her emotionally, things that would help. No one can really understand who hasn't been through it, and though I've been doing research it doesn't compare to actually knowing what she needs. Was there anything someone could have done for any of you while you were having flare ups that would have helped you get through it?

Thank you so much for any help you can give.
God bless.

 Reply posted for SesameWithaY.

I suffered from UC for 3 1/2 and then started researching online. My husband was my donor and it has now been almost 4 months of being back to normal, having normal bowel movements - no gas, no cramps, no urgency, no blood, etc.  I am back to eating anything I want after 6 months on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. I have even been eating some things that are considered illegal on SCD, but with no problems.

If you would like to read my story and see links to other articles, email me.

Just don't give up thinking it is hopeless - there is another way. I am not on any drugs and completely symptom free.

These digestive issues are caused by a imbalance in the bacteria in your gut, most likely from antibiotic use or sometimes food poisoning.

Just google Fecal Transplant and you will find how it is being used to heal digestive issues - I had UC and it healed me.

Email me for a link to my blog - kwi_sky@yahoo.com

Teri

 Reply posted for Tucker.

I have suffered from severe UC for over 15years.  And I have tried everything to alleviate the symptoms and feel "normal" again (many different diets, etc.).  And while the doctors have prescribed some very severe medications to stop the bleeding when a flare up occurs (Asacol, Prednisone, 6MP Mercatipurine), the other symptoms would never go away (e.g. bloating, gurgling, urgency to "go", rancid gas, etc.).  I was reluctant to go on the humira or remicade because of the potential for serious side-effects.  And I am very attached to my colon, so I am reluctant to let the quacks take it out.  I was convinced that there could be a more natural solution to keep my condition in long-term remission and reduce or eliminate the other challenging symptoms
I recently found an all-natural product that has changed everything!!!  I have never felt better in the past 15years as I do today.  The product is called EMPOWER.  It is an all natural anti-inflammatory supplement that has help IBD, UC & Crones sufferers alike.  The creator of the product has a compelling story of his own battle with UC, where he went on to win Mr. North America 18 months after doctors told him he would need to have his colon removed, but he instead treated himself with this product.  You can learn more about it here: http://www.oceanarizona.com/ocean-avenue-empower/ 
I am now completely off all meds (6MP and Asacol).  Try it for yourself.  I think you will be amazed!  A 30-day supply is a fraction of the cost of any other treatment your will find (it's cheap!).  And you may soon be free of all of those invasive chemical medications that come with some serious side effects.

I hope by sharing this information, others may regain the quality of life that I have, free of the symptoms and continual fear of flare-ups.

 Reply posted for SesameWithaY.

please check out my post under Treatments - topic - A UC Cure?  After suffering from UC for decades, I am in remission (cured?) after FT therapy. 

Good Luck

Tucker

 Reply posted for SesameWithaY.

Well, you are already doing it by taking an interest.  How special you are to be such a devoted friend.

1.  My family went with me to a Patient Education day for Crohn's/UC.
2.  I am on a restricted diet.  My closest friend also eats a similar diet for other reasons.  It's always easiest to stick to my diet when she's with me because we're on the same page.  If your friend is on any type of diet, try to be sensitive to that when making plans (if she's wheat free, Italian/pizza probably won't work)
3.  Research alternative therapies for her/with her.  There are a lot of options out there and I find many of them work.
4.  Call and check in.  After a while, we get tired of complaining.  That doesn't mean we aren't still suffering.  I also am bad to "go into my cave" (as my friend calls it).  you get tired of the constant bathroom trips, etc. so you stop going out and socializing.  If this is the case, have girls nights in.
5.  Allow for "normal".  Sometimes it's nice to just not always be acknowledging the illness.  While it feels like we are defined by our illness when the flare is bad, we want some moments of normal.  Be sure to make time to talk about typical topics and don't forget to share what's going on in your life too.  Sometimes we don't want to be the patient.  Listening to others and being involved in their life is a nice break from this mess.

Good luck

 Reply posted for SesameWithaY.

My daughter has had 4 severe flare-ups of UC since last year, when she was diagnosed. Each flare was horrendous, both for her and for me as the parent. Because my daughter is very sensitive to the side-effects of various medications, we were really lost for what to do. Diets weren't working very well for us either. My eyes were opened to a treatment called fecal microbiota transplant, which in some cases has resulted in a complete cure. On this website there is a news item from the American Journal of Gastroenterology stating that a U.S. study found fecal therapy to be effective against UC and recommending that it be further investigated. I came to believe that the best thing I could do for my daughter was give her access to this therapy, but quickly found that physicians do not generally offer this treatment. So we came up with a home treatment protocol, and if you're interested it's published as an ebook titled "Ulcerative Colitis from the Bottom Up." Best of luck to you, may your disease not devastate you as it has us - but we're recovering, slowly but surely.

 Reply posted for annmarypaul.

Thank you so much for you're reply! I really appreciate it! I will be praying for you as well,

you're friend and sister in Christ <3

 Reply posted for SesameWithaY.

Hi Friend,

Happy to see you and its ur friend bless to have you as friend.

i m Ann, From past 7 years i am undergoing with this Ulcerative Colitis.

Nobody is there to understand me...  and support in a way what i want.

These are my suggesions.... It will help ur friend.. i am sure

@ Always stand for her....
@ Dont ever make fun of her.
@Listen what is her situation... by saying her sickness
@ Its hard to go out with UC because Dont know when the stomach will get upset. Where ever go, please confirm there is restroom.
@ Patient  feels lonliness and will be so depressed with this deasese.
@ Dont give pressure or stress.
@ try to make happy her always, Because when getting stress or feeling sad, automatically sickness will increase.
@ Dont compell her to go any where when she is sick.
@ always tell her to keep in hand tablets and needed cloths.
@ dont allove her to take any tablets for pain without Doctor advice.
@ While flare ups... She get so tired easily.. give some energy drinks..   knees may get pain..  
@ Give her positive thoughts and find what food suits for her health.
@ Try to listen the patient...  what he or she feels when she is damn sick.
@ Support her always and tell patient parents the same..


These are the care that u can do for your friend.. Hope  this wil be helpful for you..

May god bless you both.

With prayers

Ann