I was diagnosed with UC in 2018 after a period of intense stress and grief. I was not prepared to take medicines coming from a natural medicine background.
In late 2021 I began to experience a severe flare following a period or hormonal fluctuations of early perimenopause (43). I began HRT treatment and a month later I was hospitalized due to 12 plus bloody bowel movements and severe dehydration. I was given high dose steroids intravenous for 2 weeks & 5-ASA meds before any change. At this point my consultant pushed to begin Infilximab infusions. I was resistant given the side effects but I felt I was so sick that I had to embrace these drugs even though my preferred way is holistic.
I believe inherently that these human vessels are supremely intelligent and adaptive. That with the right conditions anything can heal. My approach currently is now blessing the pharmaceuticals to work with me in the best possible way and that any harmful components be neutralised.
The biologic and steriod mix worked initially but once the steroids were tapered off I entered into another flare. 5 months on it feels the biologic is not working and I am now in a place of how to advocate for myself successfully and when to draw the line with potentially harmful medications that are not doing much to aid remission.
I am very conscious about what I ingest, and have tried many ways of nourishment from raw juicing to now a low residue fish/meat/low fodmap diet. I include many natural anti-inflammatory foods in soups and broths but still I am at a loss as this condition continues to be a ruthless teacher.
Love to hear from those attempting to balance the medical with a more rounded holistic approach.