I apologize, I neglect this site all the time. But here is a tip. Melatonin is going to interact with colchicine, so if you take colchicine as part of your treatment for Behcet's Disease, avoid taking Melatonin. It took me six months to figure this out, all the while suffering with chronic digestive tract issues. I stopped taking Melatonin when I went on vacation, and immediately, all my symptoms abated. I would rather spend a few nights tossing and turning, trying to fall asleep than to spend so much time with stomach cramps and diarrhea.
I made the big mistake of not talking to my doctor before adding a new substance to my medication routine. He probably could have advised me; or maybe not. Regardless, Melatonin made me quite sick, so I will avoid it in the future.
Just a tidbit of information, too.......my eyesight really got very bad in six months. My opthamologist couldn't believe it, so he tested me for diabetes, which I'm happy to report I do not have. Point is, I waited six months before telling my doctor that my vision was blurry, kept chalking it up to silly things, like my eyes are "tired". Don't do this. If you notice any change in your vision, get in and see your eye doctor immediately. We still don't know why my vision went so bad so quickly, but it was corrected with new glasses and I'm back to 20/20 vision. Sometimes I am SUCH a DOOFAS when it comes to my health.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Probiotics
I take one probiotic tablet everyday. It helps. The colchicine stills wreaks havoc with me periodically, but the probiotic tablet does work. They aren't cheap, but they are effective. I highly recommend this remedy.
I've been surprisingly without mouth ulcers since I started the probiotics a few months ago. I still have bouts of intestinal distress from the Colchicine, but the lack of mouth ulcers is wonderful.
My doctor and I decided to switch to Naproxen for pain relief when I do have mouth ulcers; Tramadol, although very effective for pain relief, makes me dizzy and I just don't have time for that. Sometimes I think that maybe a narcotic pain reliever would help with some of the intestinal crap (no pun intended) that I go through. But narcotics would be my last choice for dealing with pain. Naproxen is surprisingly effective and comes without the brain fog narcotic pain relief brings.
People with Behcet's disease really need to study their diet and eliminate all foods that trigger symptoms. For me, it's been trial and error, but I seem to have found some balance. No processed food. Organic food at least 90% of the time. I seem to have found some long lasting relief from recurrent mouth ulcers with the probiotics.
Last year, I suffered enormous fatigue and had months of recurrent low-grade fevers that just sapped my strength. I don't know why those symptoms ultimately abated, but they did. The fatigue had gotten so bad, I was going to ask for Adderal. Glad I didn't have to, because it seems that when a Behcet's patient tries something new, there is always some sort of response from our body; sometimes good, most times not so good.
I have a very mild case of Behcet's Disease. I truly empathize with people who have a full-blown case of this truly nasty disease. I remember how I felt in the two years my internist failed to make a correct diagnosis. I remember how I suffered on a daily basis and how nothing and no one could help me. I remember wanting to die.
I'm in a good place now with this disease.....but that could change, although remaining positive and optimistic is so important, and relatively impossible when you become just a collection of symptoms.
I think the most important thing a Behcet's patient can do for themselves is find an excellent doctor who listens and is willing to work with you on your treatment. I'm truly blessed to have done that.
I've been surprisingly without mouth ulcers since I started the probiotics a few months ago. I still have bouts of intestinal distress from the Colchicine, but the lack of mouth ulcers is wonderful.
My doctor and I decided to switch to Naproxen for pain relief when I do have mouth ulcers; Tramadol, although very effective for pain relief, makes me dizzy and I just don't have time for that. Sometimes I think that maybe a narcotic pain reliever would help with some of the intestinal crap (no pun intended) that I go through. But narcotics would be my last choice for dealing with pain. Naproxen is surprisingly effective and comes without the brain fog narcotic pain relief brings.
People with Behcet's disease really need to study their diet and eliminate all foods that trigger symptoms. For me, it's been trial and error, but I seem to have found some balance. No processed food. Organic food at least 90% of the time. I seem to have found some long lasting relief from recurrent mouth ulcers with the probiotics.
Last year, I suffered enormous fatigue and had months of recurrent low-grade fevers that just sapped my strength. I don't know why those symptoms ultimately abated, but they did. The fatigue had gotten so bad, I was going to ask for Adderal. Glad I didn't have to, because it seems that when a Behcet's patient tries something new, there is always some sort of response from our body; sometimes good, most times not so good.
I have a very mild case of Behcet's Disease. I truly empathize with people who have a full-blown case of this truly nasty disease. I remember how I felt in the two years my internist failed to make a correct diagnosis. I remember how I suffered on a daily basis and how nothing and no one could help me. I remember wanting to die.
I'm in a good place now with this disease.....but that could change, although remaining positive and optimistic is so important, and relatively impossible when you become just a collection of symptoms.
I think the most important thing a Behcet's patient can do for themselves is find an excellent doctor who listens and is willing to work with you on your treatment. I'm truly blessed to have done that.
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