HELP - Severe Ulcerative Colitis flare up

[brook65]

I have posted here before regarding my partner who has Ulcerative Colitis.

I was wondering if anyone here has this disease, and can offer us any hope or advice.

He was diagnosed about 7 years ago, and has been suffering his first flare up for the last few months.

The only thing we can find that is different in his lifestyle since this flare up began is that he stopped smoking a few weeks before the flare up began.

We read up on the internet that the toxins absorbed by smoking works with the toxins causes by the colitis, they work together and somehow counteract eachother.

He went into hospital about 6 weeks ago, and was hours from losing his bowel, luckily the intravenous steroids started to work just in time.

Since coming home, he is getting worse again, even though he is taking steroids still!

We have tried everything, Omega 3, Aloe Vera Juice, diet changes, etc etc . I am sorry to say, as a last result he has started smoking again. This is really sad, as neither of us wanted him to start again, but we are desperate for anything to stop the worst happening.

Basically, is there anyone on these boards, who have had a flair up that doesn't seem to go, and what advice if any can be given?

Thanks so much

[Sharon76]

Hi Brook

yes thats right the nicotine in the cigarettes cause some chemical reaction and can help some flare ups. Instead of him smoking why doesnt he use the nicotine replacement patches? In smoking it is the carbon that causes the cancer, the nicotine is the craving. Therefore if he uses the patches he is not getting the "bad" sides of the nicotine

Alot of doctors now prescribe these to treat flare ups in UC.

[brook65]

Hi Sharon

Thanks for your reply. Yes we are considering the patches for the reason you mentioned.

The smoking hasn't helped his symptoms as of yet! we are now today starting a fasting diet for him.

He was so close to losing his bowel last time he was in hospital, the steroids don't seem to be doing much, everytime he decreases his dose, the symptoms get worse.

Has anyone elses got any advice/

Thank you

[Sharon76]

Has the doctor tried him on AZATHIOPRINE???

I was on this for ym flare of crohn's and it is also used to treat bad flare ups in UC.

It is a powerful immunosuppressant and can work very well.

[brook65]

Hi Sharon

Thanks again for your response.

Yes, I actually have that drug you were referring to, right in front of me.

The problem is, when we looked at the possible side effects, to be honest it scared us. they sound evil.

What we have been doing is trying to find another way of putting him back into remission, in the hope of avoiding putting him on those drugs.

He is still on the maximum amount of steroids, and should be reducing them, but everytime he tries to reduce them, he gets much worse. So at the present time he is on 8 steroids a day, taking omega 3, aloe vera juice, practically fasting on rice, bananas, and water, and smoking. But he is not getting better.

So it looks like we are having to sum up the necessary of the two evils, and tomorrow he said he is going to start the drug in question.

Sharon, I have been looking at your threads, and see that you have really suffered yourself, my heart goes out to you and I also hope your son doesn't go on to develop chrons, hopefully he will grow out of it!

Did the immune suppressant drugs cause you any side effects?

Thanks again