I've taken a multivitamin with minerals since I was a young woman because I tend to get iron deficient within a few weeks of stopping them. I've taken glucosomine for my athritis for many years. During my last flare I took fish oil, barley malt, and lacto-acidophilus in pill and cultured yogurt. Once the flare calmed down, I found the fish oil to be constipating so I had to stop it. I still try to eat yogurt and fish at least once a week.

Can I ask why you're taking CoQ10? I took it for the year that I was having terrible muscle/joint pain (before I found out I had UC) because I thought the pain was caused by Zocor, which blocks the liver's production of the coenzyme. When I started on Lipitor the doctor told me to stop taking it. The only reference I can find to it being tested for IBD is

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15060903

which says it may be slightly helpful for bad flares but seems to make matters worse in the long run.

Herbs that may be helpful

Herbs to soothe inflammation throughout the digestive tract.
marshmallow root, Althaea (genus), slippery elm, cranesbill (cranesbill is an astringent.)
Marshmallow root and slippery elm are mucilaginous plants that help soothe inflamed tissues,

Anti-inflammatory herbs historically have been recommended by doctors for people with Crohn's disease.
yarrow, chamomile or Matricaria discoidea, licorice, and aloe juice. Cathartic preparations of aloe should be avoided.

Curcumin is a compound in turmeric (Curcuma longa) that has been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity.

Tannin containing herbs may be helpful to decrease diarrhea during acute flare-ups.

From the Info Site of Member crohnsrules
For full Links to all herbs listed see
http://sites.google.com/site/crohnsrules
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dcz4gp4w_6d6tw6hf8

In addition to what was mentioned, I also take L-glutamine powder. I am not sure if it helps or not, but it is supposed to be "fuel" for the intestines. On that note, since the laws just changed here in NJ, I will be talking to my doctor about a prescription for marijuana; sometimes this is the ONLY thing that will settle things down.

marijuana? not my thing, "whatevr heps am open to it !

Cannabis for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Diseas
http://forums.cannabisculture.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1603715

Daily:
Metagenics - Ultra Flora Plus DF (dairy free) 2 x daily on empty
stomach
L-Glutamine with 1 oz of George's Aloe Vera 1 x daily
AOR - Multi Basics 3
AOR - Antioxicant Synergy
Progressive Vit C 1800mg daily (3 x 600mg)
Zinc Citrate 30mg
Nordic Naturals Arctic Cod Liver oil
Boswellia 1500mg (5 x 300mg)
Ginger
Vitamin D3 ( 5000mg - winter, 1000mg summer)
Enzymatic MegaZyme (2 with each meal)

Others:
Peppermint oil - stomach ache, indigestion, acid reflux
Marshmallow - inflammation
Slippery Elm - inflammation
Olive Leaf Extract - when starting to show symptoms
Oil of Oregano - when starting a cold, flu or showing symptoms


Best wishes for good health

I almost forgot, read up on nicotine & UC. I know it sounds crazy, and I am not promoting smoking, but UC seems to be more prevalent in non-smokers, particularly former smokers. My UC started shortly after i quit; I had started again many years later as an experiment and I had my longest remission time ever. Double edge sword I guess. Of course, one could try the patch or gum.

I have also had very positive results w/ high doses of VSL#3 $$$$$$$

DavisMom -- Thank you for listing that protocol!! I have been looking for a new multi-vitamin and I forgot about boswellia. I tried boswellia several years ago and I think I remember it being helpful.

This is an awesome post!!
Thanks all for posting.
I recently read that about nicotene.

Like Reply #3 - I have heard that L-glutamine powder is excellent for UC. I have not yet tried it but I plan to.

I have used probiotics in the past (both tablet and powder) and really think that they are a MUST for UC. In fact, I should buy some more.

I can not list all the minerals, vitamins and herbs that I take as there is a combination of 72 in the Reliv/Classic that I take along with their Innergize and Fibrestore. This product has really helped to get my uc under control. Go to Reliv.com and then click on US (English) and then go to the top of the page and click on The Products and as an example go to digestive and then to nutrtional panel under the product Fibrestore and you can see the ingredients. You can do that with any of the products. If I went to a health store to purchase herbs, vitamins or minerals, I would not know how much to take or what to buy. Let the scientist do the studies to determine what ingredients, how much, work for me and what combinations work together to give me the best results. Along with initially getting it under control with diet and now these products, I can eat whatever I want and this has been for the last five years since being introduced to this supplement.

My daughter is on some chinese herbs and VSL#3 - which I read about on this board.

Her GI Dr researched the VSL#3 and loves it. Lots of studies behind it for keeping you in remission. He is now telling other patients about it.

I bought it online, but the website says you can buy it locally -

I read elsewhere that the double strength VSL #3 is prescription only and can be covered by insurance. I've been taking it for 2 years now and love it, but I tend to underdo it so I don't have to buy it too often.

The probiotic in Digestive Advantage IBS formula seems to help ($15 for 90 day supply, free shipping on Amazon's subscription program).

What does the claritin do for flare-ups?

I forgot that I had posted this up here...

Bifocaled: from what I understand about Coenzyme 10, it helps in the transport of Vitamin E into the cell. It also helps with energy production of the mitochondria (the power plant in each cell). The heart and liver have the highest concentrations of this coenzyme. It is active when you have aerobic cellular respiration (it helps change the food you eat and the air you breathe into energy).

One would think that if you are blocking this enzyme with medicine by up to 40%, that you would want to supplement it?

Large911@ you know, right before I have a flare-up or just as its starts,i get that nasty boiling intestines sensation and i immediately go and pop a Claritin D 24 hour tablet. For some reason, the H1 receptor inhibition properties of the drug seems to work in quelling the inflammation from being produced in the first place.

The way I believe it works is that the Claritin goes to work blocking the H1 receptors from receiving the histamine chemical messages from the intestines. It then doesnt get the influx of blood flow, the swelling, the increase of temperature and other effects.

Also, please note that the D part in Claritin D is a decongestant called Pseudoephedrine and can cause many of the effects that ephedrine does, such as increased blood pressure, insomnia, tremor and other nervous effects.

It also causes vasoconstriction and shrinks swollen nasal mucus membranes. Ischemic colitis has been recorded as one of the side effects due to the constriction of blood flow to the intestines. Please, becareful and use common sense before self medicating.

I still am wondering why this combo works for me.