Done

I fasted 4.5 days. Felt OK. Just weak and slow. I did ask Dr. F, and he said 3-5 days once a month, followed by careful eating might keep the UC in control. I just didn't feel comfortable fasting longer without doctor supervision, cause I felt dehydrated and I can feel my heart beating. Anyway, for a few days it will be steamed veggies and juice. Then start adding foods one at a time to see how my digestive and autoimmune systems feel.

Day 4.5

Well, I am halfway through with day 4 of the fast. I don't feel too bad, just a little weak. Not normal at all. I just want to lay around. I communicated with Dr. Furhman through email, and I have decided to try 5 days, instead of longer. Imma try 3-5 days on a monthly basis, since longer fasts require medical supervision, which I don't have. So I just have to get through the rest of today, and tomorrow.

bones

Here I go. I'm starting my fast today. Let's see how long I can live without food.

confused but hopeful

Went to the new doc. I like him. He listens. He said continue what I am doing but wants me to add a mild anti-inflammatory call Rowasa. Not in oral format. Just shove the stuff up you know where. And he ordered bloodwork. I'm glad for that. He also wants me to take more probiotics.
I haven't started yet. I want to research first and I will begin my fast on Friday anyway. Don't want to do both at once. I also want to get an at-home kit for checking for blood, cause lately the blood has been so little its been hard to see. If the fast works, I will slowly start adding food and supplements and I want to make sure.

wow

OK, despite the fact that my insides have been twisty since yesterday afternoon, I went to the bathroom today and saw no blood. For the time in months. Doesn't mean there was no blood. Could have been not enough to be visible. I'm not going to get too excited because my belly still hurts. And I don't want to be disappointed. Let's just wait and see...

twisty

Wow
I got home from work yesterday and my insides started hurting so bad. Felt like someone was squeezing /twisting my intestines or maybe the worst gas ever. I didn't eat food at work, so maybe that was the problem. I don't know, but it went on in a bad way for about two hours. I forced myself to eat something in case that was the problem. It did settle, but not right away. It's better now, but still a little twinge-y.

Dr. K

I'm making an appointment with a new doctor today. He's the one Ang talked with. He read all of my records and wants to see me ASAP. We'll see how it goes.
On the other hand, I was naughty. I ate some steamed collards last night. Wonder if my guts will explode today?


Edit: Nope they didn't explode. And I have an appt. w/ Dr K next Monday

I'm really thankful that I have a mild case. I hope that doesn't change in the future. I went to the Ulcerative Colitis forum on healingwell.com and read some of the horror stories of this disease. Scary. The medicines are worse than the disease in some cases. But people have no choice. The medical community really has no idea what causes this or how to fix it. They treat symptoms with horrible drugs, or they just cut the colon out.
I need to go for a ride.

update on me

Terrible stress at work. My friend and co-teacher is leaving :( And we are all taking a 7% paycut (when you calculate the loss of benefits and pension)

On the plus side, I think I am making progress, or at least not getting worse.
I am now just having blood. In drops which is new. But everything else looks normal. This is so hard to write about without being graphic. Since no one reads this but me, I might just go ahead and write the real words. I'll think about it.

May 10th

The last two days have been pretty good. Hope this pattern continues.

the doctor's view

Ang talked to a GI (friend of a friend). The doc says that most GI's don't spend any time with UC patients cause we take too much time to figure out, and there is no cure anyway. So, they know if they toss predisone at you that will get rid of the symptoms and send you on your way. Not their problem if it gives you organ damage, cancer, diabetes, or osteoporosis. They have no incentive to find out what is causing the UC cause the health insurance only pays them $35 per patient, and they need to see as many as possible in the day.

Cinco de Mayo

I want my life back
FUCK FUCK FUCK

may 3 - thoughts and notes

Well I am still going on. Things are maybe getting better, or at least slowing down.

I keep reading and reading and finding lots of new/ contradicting information.

Yeast- some people may have yeast problems causing or irritating the UC

Bacteria- It seems that scientists have recently discovered that everyone, sick or well, falls into one of three categories relating to their types of bacteria - great- how in the world do you know which one you are which probiotic you should be taking to help

The American Journal of Gastroenterology has lots of interesting articles, but you have to pay for them :( silly me I wish there was someplace to buy old issues or just borrow them