Effectiveness of homeopathy?

All these drugs!! I can't believe in reading through some of this how many people are taking copious meds and yet still have symptoms and are flaring. Its rather disheartening.
At any rate I have the oportunity to try homepathy but I fear going off the western course will just leave me flaring even worse and nursing my baby on the toilet again (not fun). The Homeopathist insists I must stop all wstern meds. Has anyone had good results with Homepathy?
I just got off my prednisone and started to flare up again after one week!

Thanks for your advice.

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Diagnosed proctosigmoiditis/ UC 2004
Misdiagnosed with just Hemeroids since I was 12!!
Bad flare after birth of first son in 2004,
another bad flare pregnant with 2nd baby summer 2006
recent reallly bad flare Dec 2007- 1st time w/ prednisone
Just tapered off Jan 20,2008, Flaring again today :(
Asacol for last 4 years 3pills 2X's, now 3X's a day

Hi..welcome to the forum.

I can't give you any information on homeopathy, but you should firstly consider some rectal medications such as Rowasa or if you're not in the US to try Salofalk (in conjunction with the Asacol.

It's unfortunate the doc didn't have you try that before the pred.

quincy

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DON'T COME OFF YOUR WESTERN MEDS!!!

I've had my hubby's family trying to push me to see a homeopathic doctor. I am frightened of what could happen. I don't think they would understand the severity of this disease and I would get worse. Then again, there are people who swear by the homeopathic route. Don't get off your meds, though! And I would be wary of what they try to give you/do to you. DO NOT let them give you a colon cleansing whatever you do.

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Diagnosed with Left-sided Ulcerative Colitis 1995 at 15, Tried: Prednisone, Rowasa & Hydrocort. Enemas, Proctofoam, Sulfasalazine, Asacol, Probiotics, Fish Oil, Canasa, Enotcort, Colazol, Anamantle, etc... had almost recto-vaginal fistula in 2004, put on Remicade, August 2007:Increased Remicade dosage-700mg every 6 weeks,diagnosed w/ Psoriatic Arthritis & Fibromyalgia Current meds: Remicade 700mgs every 6 wks (had reaction, will start Humira Feb 11) Clorazepate, Proctofoam HC, Glucosamine 500, Vitamin B, Lomotil,  Tylenol pm, Lyrica for Fibromyalgia started 1/17/08

I have tried different homeopathic treatments over the past ten years. None of it worked for me. That doesn't mean that it won't work for you. What is this homeopath wanting you to do? Diet, herbs, someone might be able to give you better answers.

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Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, 15 mg pred, down to 10 mg 1/11/08!
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---bumped to 100mg 10/8/07--bumped to 125 11/14/07...
Taken off of Imuran temporarily 1/11/08-back on 1/16/08
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

I think that the difficult thing is that what works for some does not work for others. I have tried homepathic and gone through short spells of being pretty much symptom free but then the UC comes back and I am in a flare. I thought that the SCD diet was "it" for me and I was doing really well and then I flared and couldn't stop the flare with the SCD diet. You read so many things that work for some people that I think it is confusing. I think that you do have to be careful to not trigger a flare with any homepathic stuff and really listen to your body. Plus, the cost of so many things can get very pricey......that's my thoughts. I did try enough stuff and did enough research on the stuff that I tried to feel like I have given everything a shot to control my UC. I also think that the success of some alternatives may vary depending upon the severity of your UC.

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Pancolitis - July 2006

My friend inthe next office has a degree in homeopathy. She's been talking to me about trying it for my UC. She said that I should continue my regular meds, though. She told me it's not necessary to stop regular medical treatment and that there are no side effects of the homeopathic remedies. I'm considering it once I finish this course of prednisone.

if you're supposd to continue with your regular meds, how are you going to know if the homeopathic stuff is doing any good? How will you be able to tell if you're feeling better due to your meds or your homeopathic stuff? That's why I haven't tried any alternative remedies for UC- acupuncture, SCD, homeopathy.... they all say to stay on your meds while doing it, so why should I pay for stuff that I don't know is working or not?

I'd question the whole "no side effects" statement. Many prescribed drugs were developed from plant sources, for instance donnatal is from the deadly nightshade plant. The side effect of that plant is that taken in larger quantities, it is a deadly poison. Digitalis, made from the foxglove, slows the heartbeat and if taken when not needed or in excess can also cause death.

Many herbs and plants are toxic, and even those that aren't have side effects. Some make birth control pills ineffective. Some can raise your blood pressure dangerously. They can have all the same kinds of side effects manufactured drugs have. So it's misleading to tell someone they don't, and anyone who tells you that is either uninformed or lying.

Natural drugs can be helpful for many things, but they do need to be used with the same sort of caution as manufactured drugs.

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Thanks for all your responses! What a great site!
(I was originally on Rowasa- forgot about that bit.)
Doesn't it just seem like nothing is a perma-fix? Im not really certain my ASA is doing any good since I get flare ups anyway. But I think Ill try homeopathy and stay on the ASA. Perhaps the homeopath meant I only had to be off the prednazone. At any rate- anything is worth a try.
It always seems so unfair when one is relaxed and eating a gentle and healthy diet and STILL flares up. guess this thing really is out of my control.
Im just scared of the whole western multiple medications that arn't really keeping us from coming out of remission thing...ya know?

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Diagnosed proctosigmoiditis/ UC 2004
Misdiagnosed with just Hemeroids since I was 12!!
Bad flare after birth of first son in 2004,
another bad flare pregnant with 2nd baby summer 2006
recent reallly bad flare Dec 2007- 1st time w/ prednisone
Just tapered off Jan 20,2008, Flaring again today :(
Asacol for last 4 years 3pills 2X's, ROWASA as needed up to 3X's a day,
now just ASA 3X's a day

I have tried many homeopathic methods and none of them with the exception of horseradish helped. Horseradish does help it it takes about 1 month to 'kick in'

I don't think horseradish would be classified as homeopathic.
q

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when i first got sick, i saw what i always called "a witch doctor" that's how she described herself, which was rather silly, cause she was just a regualar woman with herbs and vitamins. But anyway, i wasn't on any meds yet, i hadn't been to the dr for it, but she gave me this stuff called, "total leaky gut" and that stuff was great, it fixed me up right away! but it's expensive, and hard to find, so i quit taking it, but it might be worth a try.

I have a Homeopathic Dr. that I have only seen once. He specializes in Intestinal/stomach health which is great and he is only 2 hours from where I live. (they can be rather difficult to find... especially a good one).

I have not been able to go strictly on the homeopathic supplements as of now because of the cost... however, I do and will strive to try and stay on the supplements soon. There were also sooooo many pills, so many times a day. You MUST be organized and have medication bars!!!

SeaCure* One of the main and most helpful supplement.
Enzymes to take before eating & some to take while eating your meal to aid in digestion
Adaptocrine (K-2)- Adrenal Support Supplement (due to being on Prednisone)
Tincures/Herbs - from Unda... I know that he prescribed #243 & # 1 and I can't remember the other

My Doctor's approach is very similar to Dr. Dahlman's (who has a website - very informative) Check it out!

Currently I am also on Prednisone and A LOT of Vitamins. Yes, I have a flare.

I see a holistic guy and he's made me feel much better both times. Find someone who knows the disease. They would never tell you to stop Western meds. And don't agonize about whether what's working with or without what. If you're feeling better use the positive mindset and improvement will continue. I'm recovering from my worst flare ever, including my first hospitalization, and positive thinking has been MAJOR. I was rock bottom, and just building on small positives has brought me so far in a few weeks. Expanding my diet, not letting all the meds take over my brain. Focus on what you want: health, normal life, food. Not what you don't want: Pain, blood, BM's. It works.

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Diagnosed with Ulcerative Proctitis April 2006

Canasa suppositories daily
Hydrocortisone enemas nightly
Flagyl 3/day

Probiotics, fish oil, iodine, Bio-D-mulsion, Ultra InFlamx, sea salt,

Status: 48 hour virus left me with mod to severe flare
12/4/07 - progressed to severe 12/28/07

I'm questioning whether some of you are actually seeing a homeopath or a naturopath or holistic practitioner? they aren't all doing the same stuff as I understand.

q

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Stay on meds and try the other route as well.

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Diagnosed panColitis 1990.
Current Meds Asacol x4 twice a day. X6 1/15/08
Pred for flares. I still have my colon THANK YOU GOD!!!

Shes definately a homeopath. Turns out she meant just the steroids/prednisone needed to be over. She says to stay on my Asacol. Im feeling better anyway so maybe i won't know what was the homeopathy versus what is just healing. Ill let you all know how it goes! Intake is tomorrow and then it could be months or longer.
I guess my big question with UC is- is this just who we are now and we need the drugs or is there still a healthy baseline in us- an optimal possibility of health where there is no UC?
I think Ill post that separately and see responses!
Thanks!

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Diagnosed proctosigmoiditis/ UC 2004
Misdiagnosed with just Hemeroids since I was 12!!
Bad flare after birth of first son in 2004,
another bad flare pregnant with 2nd baby summer 2006
recent reallly bad flare Dec 2007- 1st time w/ prednisone
Just tapered off Jan 20,2008, Flaring again today :(
Asacol for last 4 years 3pills 2X's, ROWASA as needed up to 3X's a day,
now just Asacol 3X's a day, probiotics 2X's, fish oil
Tryed-acupuncture, herbal remedies