I had my 1st successful take down 4/30/10 had major complications again and ended up in and out of Vanderbilt until 6/4/10. I've had a really rough journey with my surgeries and my body has been through the ringer, so I admit to having a bit of "white coat syndrome," nut I am doing my very best to get better and follow all the poucher rules. However, I've been battling with pouchitis and cuffitis and have also had to be dilitated 5 times since I was released. I've been on entocort, canasas, cortizone suppositories since September. I do great for a bit on new year's eve I hit a wall. Thought it was the hormone patches my GYN put me on to hopefully reduce the amount of cysts I get since the surgeries (pretty common for women who've got a jpouch), but I'm not sure. I am really trying to do everything I can. I am using both holistic and regular medicine, being very diligent about my eating habits, and am journaling so I can try to figure out what my trigger is, but alas I am frustrated and wondering if I wasn't better off with my uc flares. They never lasted this long. I have an awesome GI who wants to start me on a long term antibiotic, but after reading more on Candida I can't help but think that an antibiotic will only lead to longer battle with yeast overgrowth..... My grandmother has been telling me since I was diagnosed with UC in 04 that "Yeast is the problem!" I hate it when she's right and she's always right. Any positive advice would be greatly appreciated.

Emily, the only thing I can suggest if you are on an antibiotic long term is a strong probiotic to keep the yeast in check. Even though there are mixed reviews on whether or not VSL#3 or other good probiotics help with pouchitis, the probiotic will help keep yeast in balance.

Thanks. I decided to opt out of the antibiotic....I know I'm a non compliant patient. I just felt like it wasn't the solution. I started being more diligent about the vsl#3 and am trying a few homeopathic remedies (1 TBS. Apple Cider Vinegar, a prebiotic, and Jarrow Formula NAG 750). We'll see how that works. I've been doing well for about a week, if it doesn't work, I'll throw in my organic towel and take the damn antibiotics. LOL! Oh well! Thanks for the help!

Ms. M, I do recall reading that while prebiotics help the good bacteria grow/flourish, they also feed the bad bacteria. Apparently, they don't discriminate. Just a thought.

I also use organic, raw, unfiltered ACV daily (2T). It's great stuff!

That's good to know, I was not aware of that. I've really seen a difference since taking the ACV and am going to also try grapefruit seed extract (a natural acting antibiotic) to see if that will work just as well as the long term they want me to take. I'm still on entocort and canasa and cortisone suppositories to help prevent strictures and cuffitis, but I would eventually like to be drug free. Ah what a dream right? LOL!