Jill answers:

I have worked in the Operating Room with UC patients. Our GI department head is a world reknown UC and Crohn’s surgeon. He gave us a presentation of the miseries of UC. My advice to her is to have the surgery. Our doc tells us that even when his patients end up with temporary colostomies(they come back and get it reversed most of the time), they are much happier than before the surgery. He’s said that a few of them are so happy that they didn’t even bother to get their ostomies reversed.
Once the bad tissue is removed, it takes about a year to feel completely healed. I have had a colectomy for other reasons, and I can tell you that the day my colon was removed was the best day of my life. It had literally been poisoning me for I don’t know how long.
The biggest challenge at first, is finding out what you can or cannot eat. Food will pass through your small bowel pretty fast, so it takes time to figure that out. However, you start getting better all over very quickly. It amazed me, once most of the immediate recovery from surgery was over- I felt better.
The surgeon she should see is Mark Koruda, at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC. He’s an amazing surgeon who takes great care of his patients. People come from all over the place to have him do their surgeries. If your sister can’t leave the area, then contacting Dr Koruda may help her find the best local doctor for her. He knows alot of people and has trained a lot of great GI surgeons.

Jill answers:

You ask several questions are important. An easy source for information is the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America website (I think it’s CCFA.org, but if you google Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, you will find it). I suffered from it for several years, and ultimately needed surgery(one surgery to remove the colon, in which I had an ostomy -and used an ostomy bag) for about 13 weeks, until they reconnected my system. I was not responding to medication, that’s why I needed surgery. It has restored my health. Some patients require only one surgery, and don’t need an ostomy bag, but I was pretty sick for a while, and they needed to break it into two). I don’t know of anyone who would want (or had) the surgery that didn’t need it-it’s rough, and insurance won’t pay for surgery you don’t need.

You should be visiting a gastroenterologist who is a member of the CCFA for treatment, not your general practicioner. Don’t go to someone else, they frankly just won’t be as focused, knowledgeable, and up to date as a gastroenteroogist who cares enough to be a CCFA member.

Don’t know where you live, but when you go to the CCFA website, you may be able to find a discussion group where other people suffering from UC meet.It’s very helpful to talk to people who have similar experiences.

Really, really recommend you stay away from vegetables like cabbage and broccoli, for the cruciferous vegetables tend to produce more gas, which puts more pressure on your system. The CCFA site should give you helpful info about diet. I was able to eat broccoli only if it was really overcooked.

Glad to see the sulfasalazine is working-it doesn’t have a lot of side effects.

Somewhat surprised to see a diagnosis made with CT scan. Did they do a colonoscopy? If not, discuss that with your gastroenterolgist.

UC is believed to be an autoimmune disorder, so take good care of yourself. Moderate exercise will strengthen you and elevate your mood, but don’t overdo. Get rest, watch stress, no alcohol or illegal drugs, talk to doctor about flu shots and other overall health issues.

Jill answers:

I have Crohns and have taken entocort. Prendisone does work better but the Entocort has less bad sid effects. I only use the Entocort for flare ups.Mainly I am much better in the past few years since I started on a maintainence med Imuran … I have had 3 bowel resections also. If your onlt taking Entocort thats fine to get the flai up under control but you need to be on a daily med like Imuran or 6-MP.
As to diet everyone is different as to what bothers them find the foods that for you cause problwms and avoid them usually dairy nuts ,salads, spicier foods, new studies have shown that many with crohns do not tolerate sugar very well either so avoid lot of sweet sugary foods.

Jill answers:

I have Ulcerative Colitis and nothing worked for me until I found AloeElite. The AloeElite is safe, its natural and it works to heal the gut, just like aloe on the skin heals cuts and burns. They have diet info on their website for people with UC, what to eat somewhat depends on if your having diarrhea or constipation.

Individuals with Diarrhea
Foods to Eat: White Rice, Ripe Bananas, Broth Soups, White Toast, Baked or Broiled Chicken, Fish and Turkey, Well-Cooked Vegetables
Foods to avoid: Dairy Products, Lettuce and other Raw Vegetables, Beans, Fresh and Dry Fruits (except bananas), Coffee, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft Drinks, Greasy, Fatty Fried Foods, Spicy Foods, Candy and Chocolate.

Individuals with Constipation
Foods to Eat: Fresh Fruit (particularly prunes, figs and apricots), An Assortment of Raw Vegetables, Broth Soups, Baked or Broiled Chicken, Fish and Turkey, Prune Juice
Foods to Avoid: White Rice, Ripe Bananas, Peanuts, Alcoholic Beverages, Soft Drinks, Greasy, Fatty Fried Foods, Spicy Foods, Candy and Chocolate.
Tips: Drink lots of water, exercise, avoid laxatives and fiber supplements when possible, and try to manage stress so that it doesn’t affect your body and its functions.

I take the AloeElite every day religiously and am now 100% healed! I can eat a lot more foods now that my intestional lining isn’t all inflammed and ulcerated. Good luck!

Jill answers:

Drink plenty of water every day
At the table vary your choices
Always make a healthy breakfast and avoid skipping meals
Consume at least 2 servings of fruits and 2 servings of vegetables every day
In a balanced diet of cereals (bread, pasta, rice etc..) Should be consumed daily
Eat fish at least 2 times a week (fresh or frozen)
Remember that legumes provide protein and fiber of good quality
Limit your intake of fats, especially those of animal origin, preferring the extra virgin olive oil
Do not exceed the amount of salt
Limit your intake of sweets and drinks to heat during the day
Above Avoid diets DIY and always ask your doctor to …..; /