After being diagnosed with Proctitis by the surgeon who perfomred a fissure surgery for me, I was referred to a Gastroenterologist who barely wanted to spend any time with me going over my treatment options. He looked at my chart, told me to continue on the Canasa suppositories the surgeon prescribed and continue my high fiber diet, then got up to leave. Never asked me any questions that might help come up with a reason why I developed this condition, didn't explain what I could expect, nothing.

Fed up, I sought the advice of a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Unlike the 4-6 week wait for most doctors, this doctor had a cancellation today and was able to see me right away. She spent an hour going over my medical history and then wrote a list of different things I could use that she said will aid healing of my digestive system. All the items are available at health food stores. When I got home, I looked each of these items up on the internet. Reputable sites all explained the various benefits of each item - and most are said to have soothing, cleansing, or detoxifying effects on the digestive system, as well as anti-inflammatory properties (which is important because that's what Proctitis is - an inflammation of the rectal lining). The doctor was honest and told me she hadn't treated a case of Proctitis before (she's been practicing for 27 years), but has helped patients with Crohn's and Colitis find relief from their conditions.

I also received my first ever accupuncture treatment, as well as a very therapeutic massage, and I feel really good right now. These treatments were for all the stress I've been having, which I believe has something to do with my developing the condition. My shoulders and back feel great!

Anyway, has anyone else here looked for alternatives to the typical medical treatment of their disorders, and if so, what was your experience like? Do you think it was helpful, or did it have no effect?

I'll be honest; I can't attest to this working, as I am just getting underway, but for the first time in a long while I feel good about things after seeing a doctor!

I finally sought an medical-acupuncture doctor since no medical doctor could help my 4-5 bowel movements in an hour. Although my symptoms are not completely gone - I might have small movements 5 times a day now - which is much better. While treating me, I now can go down the stairs normally and also my sinuses are better. So far I have had 8 treatments and I can go back whenever I wish. Now I go 4-6 weeks. Insurance does not cover the treatments for me, at least I do not take presciption drugs which is a plus. Is there a difference in the over-the- counter fiber?

I had different experiences with different types of fiber. I eat salads and raw fruit quite a bit, and most days I'm fine with that. I will occasionally eat mini-wheat cereal, but have always had a bit of a problem digesting milk, so I don't eat enough cereal for enough fiber. I have just switched to soy milk - so far, so good. I will also use metamucil once in a while, but that tends to bulk me up too much and I sometimes won't go for two days. I've just started with 2 tbsp of flaxmeal per day, but it's too early to tell how that's going. My roommate has used FiberCon, but he doesn't really have intestinal issues (he does have stomach ulcers though). I've never asked him if it works for him.

I have little faith in medical doctors in their ability to handle certain bowel problems, and I'm determined to make a lot of changes of my own to get in overall better health. I've been researching the body's ability to heal itself when it has a chance (i.e. - diet, exercise, more rest, less toxins and processed foods, etc.), and it's amazing what the body can do. Most of it flies in the face of traditional medical care. Sure, prescription drugs can mask symptoms, or put you more at ease, but true healing happens in spite of medicine, not because of it.

Someone pointed out to me - what does a wounded or sick animal do when it wants to recover. Most of them curl up away from others and don't eat anything until they feel better. Their body instinctively tells them something is wrong, and it needs all its energy to recover. As humans, we seem to have lost the ability to allow our instincts to guide us, assuming doctors know best, rather than our own bodies. There is a misconception about fasting that the body will damage its vital organs in an attempt to feed off them. But the body is smarter than that, and instead feeds off the things that shouldn't be there, diseased cells and tissue, stored up toxins and waste, fat, etc.

Hi there! It's great to hear that you are going to get yourself better by using a good diet. I am doing the same thing.

I found out a few weeks ago that I have IBS and it really shocked me. I eat really good foods anyways because I know how important it is and am allergic to corn and milk. That really limits a lot already! Anyways, turns out I was eating the wrong kinds of healthy foods. I was way too acidic instead of more alkaline. So now I saw a lady who is a medical intuitive who told me all of this and it makes plenty of sense. I am also seeing a great naturapathic doctor too who is helping with some hormonal imbalances. Anyways, with their advice I started a diet of lots of steamed green veggies, wild fish, organic chicken and turkey, and free-range eggs without hormones. Oh, and lots of organic brown rice too! Another thing I have done was taking plant-based enzymes during every meal and that has been helpful too. Quinoa is really good too. Sea salt and extra virgin olive oil make it all taste great! I have been doing so great on it...really!!! It all helped almost immediately and I have to say that not only does my stomach feels great, my skin is almost completely clear and will be soon, and I have so much more energy. I am even gaining weight back that I lost (I was already underweight) so it has helped with that too. Today I even incorporated coconut oil into cooking my meals and it was great. Coconut oil is probably the best oil out there!

Even though it has been tough avoiding milk, corn, soy (big problems from that), wheat, sugar....etc, I feel so much better than I have felt in years. I don't think some medicine from a doctor would've ever helped this much. Definately be careful with soy....a lot of people have gotten thyroid problems from it. I would research it a bit more if I were you. Can't go wrong with just clean water! Good luck with everything and I hope this was helpful to you!