Becoming Free from UC Journey
This blog was created to document my Ulcerative Colitis (UC) healing journey. To illustrate, I will highlight the proper diet, fasting regimen, effective supplements, and provide account of my findings through a series of posts in my UC Success blog.
I have been plagued by gut issues specifically ulcerative colitis (UC) for many years. I understand what it is like to be immobilized, in pain, embarrassed, and feeling no hope by my condition. Therefore, I have created this blog to inspire other IBD (Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s) sufferers that there is hope of healing through supplementation with alternative means.
Seeing children having their colons cut out due to UC is unacceptable to me. I cannot in good conscience sit here and not share my story. Don’t ever stop. Don’t ever give up. There is a solution. Rough times do not come to stay. Rough times pass. This will indeed pass and you will be healthy again.
It is very important for you to believe that you can make this happen. No matter how bad it is or how bad it gets. I’m going to make it. I’m going to make it. It’s not over until I win.
Les Brown
Who Am I?
I am a 35 year old successful business owner that has had a tenured career in finance with specific focus in investment banking and private equity investing until my UC symptoms appeared. I was the head of research of a $3 billion AUM firm at the age of 26. In short, I have a deep passion for research. My passion for research has never been stronger than it is for health remedies after losing my father to medical malpractice when I was 15 years old.
This traumatic event left an indelible mark in my mind never to trust the status quo. It ruined my life and continues to motivate me to this day. I vowed that if I ever got sick that I would do my own research and put my life in my own hands. This is for you Dad.
Why Does My Story Matter?
I have been suffering through gastrointestinal issues since 2011 after a food poisoning episode led to a clostrum dificile (C-Diff) diagnosis. The C-Diff episode taught me a lot about Big Pharma, natural remedies, and doing my own research. A lot of bad experiences and bad advice from doctors almost set me back significantly physically and financially. Fast forward 8 years and I began to have my first symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) after taking Doxycycline for an infection.
As my weight dropped from 225 lbs to an eventual 139 lbs (I’m 6’5) I was on the brink of death. I was on the brink of death after following the medical blogs and advice of people online that had never had Ulcerative Colitis. Everything they said to eat I ate and I got worse. I kept hearing “Diet Does Not Matter” and I kept going to the bathroom. Sometimes 30 to 40 times a day. I thought I was going to die. I see so many people being led astray by what I’ve read online. Sadly, I was one of those people.
Useful Information Hard to Find
I’ve been blessed to be financially independent enough to stay at home during my UC diagnosis over the last several years. With this in mind, I know that most people reading this blog may not have that luxury and do not have the time or ability to take trial and error risks like I have. Therefore, my approach is certainly not for everyone. I took this approach because I was willing to live or die with the consequences of my trial and error findings. All of my successful findings are from the last 5+ years of battling UC.
When I was searching for ways to ease my UC I found very little useful information. A lot of generic information that I tried seemed to make my symptoms worse. I’ve put my heart and soul into these findings. Lots of painful bloody days and nights on the toilets. Lots of rewarding moments findings remedies that work and hopefully work for you. I sincerely hope that the information that I provide in this blog helps you or your loved one WIN against UC.
UC & Gut Ailment Timeline
- 2011: Diagnosed with C-Diff after Food Poisoning & Ciprofloxacin Usage
- 2019: First signs of UC flare after Doxycycline Prescription
- 2021: ER visit after weight drops to a near death 139 lbs from pre-UC weight of 225 lbs at 6’5
- 2022: Begin gaining substantial weight after diet trial and error
- 2023: Accidentally figure out intermittent fasting works after mother is hospitalized
- 2023: UC Relapse after taking Azithromycin for Covid-19 symptoms
Food Poisoning & Ciprofloxacin Leads to Cdiff
My first gut issues occurred after taking an antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) for food poisoning in 2011. After several days, I developed left side pain with urgent painful diarrhea. The diarrhea persisted to blood and mucous filled. A stool test confirmed a clostrum dificile (C-Diff) diagnosis. Metronidazole (Flagyl) was prescribed but the C-Diff was not cured so Vancomycin was administered. My gastroenterologist wanted to do a fecal transplant at the time. I declined. Eventually, I was able to cure the C-Diff by drinking large amounts of Green Valley Organic Kefir with the Vancomycin. Consequently, my gut would never be the same after C-Diff. As a result, I found myself unable to handle dairy or gluten after my bout with C-diff.
Ciprofloxacin, Gut Health, and the Risk of Clostridium difficile
Ciprofloxacin is a potent antibiotic effective against a range of bacterial infections. However, its use can disrupt your gut microbiome by killing both harmful and beneficial bacteria. This indiscriminate action leads to an imbalance in the gut flora, as essential good bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria are also affected.
When ciprofloxacin reduces the population of these beneficial bacteria, it creates an opportunity for harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff), to proliferate. C. diff is a resilient bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, including persistent diarrhea and colitis, due to its ability to thrive in an altered gut environment.
To mitigate these risks, it’s important to use ciprofloxacin and other antibiotics only as prescribed and to consider probiotics or probiotic-rich foods to help restore healthy gut bacteria. Always follow your healthcare provider’s advice for managing antibiotic use and supporting gut health.
Doxycycline Antibiotic Usage Leads to UC
My first Ulcerative Colitis symptoms began after a stressful period of my life when I neglected my diet. I found myself eating fast food often and a diet high in sugar. Moreover, I found myself drinking dairy for the first time since my c-diff ordeal. I had not drank dairy since I had cured my C-diff. I love chocolate milk and was feeling good but in the back of my mind I wondered if I could handle it. Frequently, I would drink cartons of chocolate milk each day. All of a sudden I started noticing urgency.
Things really took a turn for the worst after taking Doxycycline for an infection in 2019. As a result, I started having severe stomach pain and my bowel movement incidence increased rapidly. I kept eating normal and I kept feeling worse. My symptoms exacerbated and I was in big trouble. The doctors never told me the importance of taking a probiotic much less the best one to take. As a result, I feel like these hardships that I have endured and overcame can be valuable for others going through similar ordeals or prevent others from even dealing with the pain and suffering.
Why Doxycycline Affects Good Gut Bacteria
Doxycycline, a commonly prescribed antibiotic, is effective in treating bacterial infections but can also impact your gut health. This medication works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, targeting harmful bacteria causing infections. However, it doesn’t discriminate between bad and good bacteria, meaning it can also disrupt the beneficial microorganisms in your gut.
The gut microbiome, which includes beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, plays a vital role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. When doxycycline destroys these good bacteria, it can lead to imbalances, potentially causing digestive issues such as diarrhea, bloating, and an increased risk of yeast infections.
To help mitigate these effects, it’s important to consume probiotics or probiotic-rich foods during and after your antibiotic course. These can aid in restoring the balance of your gut microbiome. Always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for managing antibiotic use and gut health.