My current flare up has lasted 8 months now... I went to the states to get married and have honeymoon for the whole month of July. When I got back and saw my doctor ( as I had not improved ), he said they found out some new information regarding ulcerative colitis...
Studies show that UC may now be caused by a bacteria, fusobacterium varium. They use antibiotic combination therapy to get rid of it... and it has worked in all the clinical trials. and once it was gone it has not yet come back. So far all trials have been successful.
this is the link to one of the medical articles about it:
http://pt.wkhealth.com/pt/re/alpt/abstract.00001716-200504080-00011.htm;jsessionid=GMVQp5BfjdvyhMx1MvyS2h7M8SdxLqJDGHryklGWC43fJjvGmzNj!-362743511!181195628!8091!-1
My doctor gave this antibiotic combination therapy to 3 of his UC patients, including me. It completely worked for one of them, and the other guy and myself had a different reaction. All colitis symptoms completely went away while on the antibiotics. Once off of them, 2 days later the colitis returned.
I am currently on the 3rd day of my second round of antibiotics. It has worked for so many people, that I am convinced that it will work for me.
The only problem is the side effects of the antibiotics which include tummy cramps and diarreaha and a general feeling of crappiness. NOt fun, but worth it for 2 weeks if it gets rid of the UC.
You should look into it or ask your GI Dr.
Good Luck!