is anyone else trying nicotine gum or omega 3? what other treatments are considered for U.C?

Welcome to the club! I would suggest you consult your doctor before you try anything. My onset was much slower, and no BM in 5 days could be something serious.

I personally haven't tried omega 3, but nicotine seems to help. Although I'm also on prednisone which helps me quite a bit. I'm almost done with my taper though and it'll be interesting to see how my body responds.

Keep your head up, you're not alone! Get use to trial and error, and don't be afraid to ask questions whether it be your doctor or on the boards here.

Wish I could edit my post. Anyways I think most of the medication cycles go like this. Lialda/asacol, azathiprine, remicade......using prednisone as a bridge tog et you from one treatment to antoher to see if it'll work.

There is also quite a bit on diet modification, which I personally don't use but i know some people here really like the results.

I was on Lialda and Asacol too, horrible reactions so now I'm on Prednisone and Cortenema and possibly starting Remicade. I take omega-3 every day, plus iron and Vitamin D. Aloe vera juice, blueberries, anything anti-imflammatory. Yoga, massage, relaxing things help. I always have Imodium in my purse too, I have the opposite problem. mmcant is right, check with your doctor b/c we are all different. But I'm sure you'll find this site very very helpful! Stay strong Chica!

And in moments of despair I've considered taking up smoking, lol!

thanks for the advice and support & i just have to add with humor that i believe quitting cigs is what got me to this point...i quit 1.5 years ago...i hear quitting and U.C. has a high correlation...hmmm.

i've decided to go with a book called "What to eat with IBD" figuring it can't hurt. right now, my doc just has me on 60mg prednisone until he figures out the next med to try. Big storms in my brain and pounding pulses--no fun

Haha :) Who's the author of your book? I am reading 100 Questions & Answers About Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Lahey Clinic Guide. Pretty basic but helpful for us newbies

What to Eat with IBD is written by Tracie M Dalessandro MS RD CDN. she sought her nutrition degrees after being diagnosed herself...i read the excerpts on amazon and it looks like she wrote it with a high degree of personal passion.
another question: i've read some herbalists recommendations on taking digestive enzyme supplements. wondering if anyone has tried?

oh by the way, my doc just called and said a triple dose of mirilax is ok for my constipation issues...so weird...U.C. + constipation right?

I have the same thing going on - constipation, then diarrhea. It's the worst! My doctor also advised me to try miralax, seems to help. I do also take Omega-3, and a probiotic, along with multi-vitamins, and calcium.

Hope things get better soon!

I tried digestive enzymes for a while when my GERD was really bad. I got them from a naturopath I was working with last year. They really helped a lot.

Thanks for the book info - I just picked up another one tonight by Jill Sklar, called A Patient-Expert Walks You Through Everything You Need to Learn and Do, The First Year CD & UC. Pretty straight talking stuff, very helpful :) Would love to hear your experience w/ the digestive enzymes if you go that route. Hope you are feeling better soon!

I'm laying low on the digestive enzymes for now...too harsh with the acids in it. However i'm taking StressJ & marshmallow root from natures sunshine supplements company...oh yeah, don't forget the LBSII for constipation...yes i know it's weird that i get constipated with UC....but anyway that's all i'm on besides omega 3 & nicotine gum (for alternative treatments)

I use miralax..it's not a stimulant so your bowels won't get addicted to it. you can use it as often as you need and it's very effective in a few hours!! i have crohn's, not UC, but that is what helps me.

after quadruple dosing mirilax (32 oz), 2 colaces, 3 LBSII, 2 Sennas, & a fleets enema...i FINALLY had a bm! can't belieive it takes all that but i finally feel better. I should use mirilax more regularly...but it's hard to get a happy medium with bowel functioning all over the spectrum ya know?