Ulcerative Colitis

Hello there

I am really sorry to hear that you have ulcerative colitis, and I appreciate how harrowing it must be for you. There are ways to manage (some say cure?) UC, but they do require a lot of effort, which, when you are ill may be too much to contemplate without help. Perhaps the first thing to do is to join a community of fellow UC sufferers, because you'll get more direct insight than you would here - where the odd person on HP has experience of the disease.

[url]The Specific Carbohydrate Die[/url]t (SCD) and it's associated book [url]Breaking the Vicious Cycle[/url] have associated communities. I'd very much advise you to join them and speak with fellow UC folk. There is also the is worth looking at or joining their UC community.

You may wish to have a look at this site too: [url]How to cure your Colitis[/url]. I've been in touch with the guy who wrote it (he has his email address on the site) about something else, and he wrote back to me warmly and helpfully. He invites folk to email them for help/advice if they wish.

In short, you will need to address your diet - as the foods you are eating will inflame and irritate the gut lining. You'll also need to follow a careful nutrient and probiotic supplement programme so that you can rebuild your immune system, shattered nerves, and general wellbeing.

I'm happy to give you more advice, if you wish, however I do think your best hope lies in talking with folk who're on the same path as you wrt UC.

Best of luck, and don't worry - you'll resolve this.

Ava x

Hi Shhh1

I have a close relative who has had Ulcerative Colitis for 30years. She gained a lot of relief from adjusting her diet as Ava's suggested and had a lot of support from:


Why haven't you told your employer's about your condition? As you've had the condition for more than 12 months and as it's an ongoing condition that could affect your daily activities your condition would fall under the Disabilities Discrimination Act. If you are a member of a union please get their support if you are called into another sickness absence review meeting. You have the right to ask your employer to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to work - they can say no if they have a justifiable business case. However if it's Royal Mail that would be hard to justify as they are a 24hr operation with a variery of roles normally available - you could be redeployed to indoor sorting/office admin (near toilet facilities) if your conditon makes continuining with a walk/driving round difficult. I'd look at that option first. I know it's embarassing trying to get someone with no medical knowledge (your manager) to understand a bowel disorder, but the DDA is there to protect people like you. I really hope you can feel brave enough to let them know. Also ask to be referred to their Occupational Health dept who should be able to confirm your condition falls under the DDA.
Realistically, it will be tricky to get other employment if you've had a recent poor attendance record (even though it's no fault of your own). Try and keep the exisiting job for as long as poss. I know this is easier said than done, but by at least being honest about your condition it should buy you some time while you try and stabilise your condition.
Wishing you all the very best
Beautifuldayx

Shhh1 sorry to hear you suffer so. Hope you get better soon. Have you tried EFT? It can be very effective for pain management.
I admire Ava's deep understanding of diet and nutrition, it becomes obvious time and again. keep it up Ava.

Oh, that's very sweet, jnani. Thank you. I know a moderate amount about a few topics. And nothing about everything else! I'm just selective about what I respond to - ha!

Ava x

I've been thinking about replying to this for a few days...

I've had UC for 12 years, very badly at times. I won't go into all the things I've tried over the years as just because they didn't work for me, doesn't mean they won't work for you.

I've learnt a few important things:

1) Stress has caused the syptoms to flare up badly over the years - two of my spells in hospital coincided with emotional issues, firstly the break up of a 7 year relationship and secondly, bereavement. So it is VITAL to follow your heart, focus on the things that make you happy, etc.

2) The more you focus on the UC, the worse it'll get. As soon as you have lots of other things going on in your life which forces you to focus on them instead, you'll probably begin to forget you're 'ill' and start to get better.

3) The best way to get nutrients in your body fast and therefore help it heal is veggie juicing. I've only read a couple of books, but found Jason Vale's Ultimate Fast Food the most useful. There may be better books out there, but I found it enough to be getting on with. I don't follow specific 'recipes', but will tend to use carrot and apple as a sweet base (50 -75% of the juice), then add some greens, such as a bit of brocolli and spinach, maybe some beetroot, red pepper, little bit of ginger... I just experiment and bung in all sorts. When I was out of work (which I'll get to in a sec as that's what you were actually asking) I had the time and self-discipline to make 2 juices a day and the effect on my health was truly astounding. I went from being weak and virtually housebound with bleeding guts to getting out again, going to the gym 3 times a week and going to university. I've neglected the juicing recently and my symptoms are bad again. It takes dedication. So I'm back on it again.

Right, the work situation. UC is a serious illness. It would be discrimination if they fired you over this. You need to get a letter from your GP and give them information all about the illness as a lot of people don't really know what it is. Print off info from the NACC website to give to them to read. My friend developed Crohn's disease whilst working at a call centre of a bank and she was signed off sick for months - they kept the position open for her.

In my situation, I wasn't happy as work, it was part of the cause of the illness I think. So I gave up work and was on incapacity benefit for a while, but I was in the fortunate position of being able to live with my parents and be supported by them.

Then, when I was back on my feet I went back to Uni. That's my story in a nutshell.

There have been times when I've virtually been in remission (solid poo, oh yes!) and times like now, where my symptoms have got worse, but I believe that's due to my pregnancy. There is hope, you will find your own way to live with it and manage it to a certain extent and have a normal life again. And you'll learn a lot of new and interesting things that you wouldn't have done if you hadn't got ill.

Good luck, I hope you manage to have a serious amount of time to rest up and get your strength back and hopefully return to the job you love. If necessary go to the CAB to find out your rights.

Tigerlily, I found your post very interesting. I meant to say something earlier, but I wanted to do some reading first. Thank you for writing about your personal experience with UC and what has worked for you - I've learned a lot from it.

I've recently come across [url]Listen To Your Gut[/url] - which focuses on probiotics as being the cornerstone to healing UC/Crohns/IBS. She has a book, and I've just today bought the eBook version (it's a bundle with loads of other stuff). She seems sincere, and it appears that the programme works well for a lot of people. I'll come back here and post anything interesting, once I've read her book.

Ava x

Well I'll be interested to hear what you find out. I haven't found a definitive answer, maybe I never will... I just know what helps me somewhat and what definitely makes me worse. I think I reached saturation point a few years ago, whereby the search for a 'cure' was like an obsession and leaving me feel emotionally drained. I really have tried all sorts of things over the years and it can be very demoralising when I really try something and it doesn't work. This leads me to believe that in my case, there's a very big psychological element. So for the past four or five years, I've just learned to live with it and not get so frustrated and angry with it.

As I mentioned before, I know that the juicing helps a great deal.

I will just spend some time looking at the link you posted...

Essential oils

Deares Shh, I can feel your pain and anxiety coming through your post, I am o sorry that times are so miserable for you at the moment. I feel that I can add a few viewpoints to your problem. Firstly though aromatherapy, secondly my previous career as an HR Manager and thirdly my partner works for Royal Mail too!

The third part is the crux I think. If you work in a similar environement to his, with all the changes at the moment, no wonder you are ill. You have to take charge of this situation as you have all the laws on your side. Never mind how much of a bullying ethic you have in the office, go and enlist the help of your union rep. (they shoudld help even if you are not a paid up member)

You must tell work about your condition. As beautiful day correctly pointed you will be covered under the disability discrimination act. They are obliged to review your work status and apply what is called due diligence and risk assessment. This means that they will have to admit that you are no longer able to effectively do your job because of your condition. The fact that you are so far down the disciplinary line gives this a sense of urgency. If they do not understand the extent of your condition they could terminate your contract on the grounds of capability and absenteeism. You have to turn the tables now. The law stipulates that they have to find you alternative duties befitting your condition. Perhaps you could work in the locker for instance.

The reason why I addressed this first is your anxiety levels will be stirring up your condition no end. Always sort the source first.

Now esssential oils.

Peppermint and patchouli are specifics for colitis and crohns. I would also recommend Roman Camomile not only for its carminative effects but also the fact that it is sedative too.

Don't put them in your bath- you will never sleep again whith the peppermint. I would suggest two methods of application. Firstly a couple of drops of each in a cream or lotion, use any old moisturiser that you are not using and just rub a fingerfull into your wrist three times a day so you are really topping up the oils. I say wrist because there is all those blue veins that will give you a lovely blood supply and will flush the oils quickly.

Secondly I would make yourself a massage oil and very gently stoke around the digestive system. Start at the pelvis and do two light strokes up, then two across your body above your belly button and two down. Just do one across your pelvis so you are making a square. Do the four sides four times round, each day. I wouldn't do it before bedtime because it may make you wee as it flushes aout the toxins.

I have been researching Catnip Essential oil today for an article and that also seems to be sited for colitis but I couldn't comment on its efficacy yet I am afraid.

Thank you all for your replies I am taking all of your advise on board,i am now gong to have to do something about work as, last week on delivery I had a very embarrassing moment when what I thought was wind turned out to be a lot of blood. Mortified as I had recently donned the shorts.
ambanecat29 when I was first diagnosed I was in the locker on nights, I had barely any symptoms at all, the D.O.M has recently lapsed my night duty so I am on permanent days now, one week on a walk I know with bathroom facilities available, the other week I am listed on any vacant walk, more often than not one I don't know, with no facilities

Ive had crohns disease for over 17 years now (originally misdiagnosed with colitis). Whilst im all for complementary therapies i would first of all try and find the right medication for you (this can take some time). If things arent getting under control then push your docs or the hospital to look at other options. When you are in a flare it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel but believe me when i say there will be. I now have 2 beautiful boys to prove it.

I am now just taking pentasa daily but i also have a selection of crystals and give myself reiki. Im not particually spiritual but somehow it seems to work!

NACC are great and also crohnszone facebook group are good for support x