Ulcerative Colitis - Supplements and Medicine working together

After reading a whole lot of others who are suffering with the same ugly symptoms I had, I think I will share with you all the things that I take and do to prevent a flare up or at least slow one down when it does happen.  Medicine First of all, I take Lialda and it does seem to work. Now its not 100% effective but without it I dont think I could go very long on just natural supplements.  The SupplementsThis is the key to quick recovery and prevention of flareups. Our bodies dont absorb very well through the colon anymore, so it needs a little help.Within 3 days of taking this stuff, I am having semi-normal bowel movements again. The pain and aching of the colon eases away and almost disappears.    This is what I take before bed every night. Its a sort of boost to help the body during the night, when it does repair.   1000 IU of Vitamin E                                                      (100% natural d-alpha tocopherol)1000 mg of Fish Oil                                                        (EPA, DHA, Tocopherol) 500 mg Vitamin C50-100 mg Coenzyme Q105000 mg Aloe Vera Caplet1 Psyllium Capsule                                                         (bulk forming laxative)  I was also taking Mastic Gum extract that seemed to work really well, and have since switched it out with Boswellia extract which I am not sure if it is actually working or not.   Flare Ups and Indigestion  When I feel an imminent flareup coming on or a bout of inflammed indigestion, I immediately get out the short term kit.  Alka SeltzerClaritin D (with Pseudoephedrine)  Enteric Coated Aspirin I am not really sure why the Claritin works, but I do not that it is a histamine blocker and the inflammation we get in the collon could be a histamine response. I usually get the colon to calm down within 30 minutes of taking Claritin. I am not sure if the decongestant does anything to help, but why change something that works?  For some reason, I get a burning feeling that seems to radiate from the stomach back to my kidneys. It doesnt always happen, but when it does, it progressively gets worse until my collon is part of the process and have a full body meltdown.  This is why I hit it with alka seltzer, to prevent the inflammation from spreading. The aspirin is for the pain, but it is enteric coated so that it makes it past the stomach to help prevent a stomach ulcer.   Ibuprofen works great, but has a nasty side effect. Bleeding. Tylenol seems to give me indigestion. Aspirin and mesalamine are similar, so thats why I stick with the the salicylate family.  The other thing that works really well is Peptol Bismol, that seems to be the best I could find to stop indigestion and inflammation from spreading before I found this mix of products. It has a   salicylate that works very well. Blackening of the feces is normal after taking this. The inflammation can spread from the colon upwards to the small intestine and to the stomach.  I recently ran out of Lialda and had to take 1 pill a day. I have the moderate case of UC. One day I had a flare up, and for two days I was sick. It was a very mild flare up and by the third day it was much better. 4th day and I am having normal (for a UC patient) bowel movements again.  Keep in mind, I am not a doctor and you should be careful what you take. Especially with the vitamin E and the over the counter drugs. Too much Vitamin E can cause toxicity and make you feel really sick. I have experimented with myself, and found that 800-1000 IU of natural vitamin E is about right to give you enough to have the anti-inflammatory effects without poisoning you. If you are allergic to aspirin or claritin dont take it.