My husband has started the shakes and has stopped the most intense drug (azothiaprine), which just made him insane, especially on top of all the other drugs. Now he is gradually getting off Vicadin, despite not seeing any signs of improvement. He is learning what he had to learn for himself, that the drugs and the combination of too many were perhaps making him worse. He may not be ready to wean off the Prednisone for weeks and Colazol for months, so until then, is there some measure he can take to somewhat protect his body from the adverse affects of the drugs? Or at least nourish himself simultaneously (beyond the shakes with good oils added)?

I know I just need to keep taking deep breaths until he figures most of this out for himself, but until then while he's so fatigued and unable to fuction mentally or physically, I'm trying to gently offer ideas that he can take or leave when he's wanting to hear them.

Chaging subjects a bit, he does use Udo's oil or sometimes pure flax oil in his shakes. When he occasionally has gentle foods, like squash, etc., is it safe or beneficial to use some olive oil blended in?

Thank you in advance for your ideas!

Hi, nutmeg.

As far as supporting the liver, there is some information that may be of use to you in the following post. Check it out and don't hesitate to write back if you still have questions.

http://www.jinipatelthompson.com/bb2/vi ... .php?t=166

Now, I do have a question, just for my own clarification in replying about the olive oil. Is your husband actually following the IBD Remission Diet or is he using the shakes more as a supplement?

Nicole

Thanks for your reply, Nicole. As for your question as to how he's using the shakes, I don't think he knows what he's doing or can even make that decision now- the joy of the psychiatric effects of Prednisone.

He read the IBD Remission Diet from the library (as did I) before his flare up got horrendous, and ordered a tub of the shake for trial. Then we had a wedding and he had 2 deaths in his family all in July, so I think the stress pushed his body overboard. By the time we got enough shakes for him to do the diet, he'd already gotten really bad and his mind is not so clear now between the drugs and the pain. Right now he's doing shakes as much as he can stand, clear broths, occasional white rice congee (overcooked rice soup) with ghee, and gummy bears once in a while. We ordered the revised Listen to Your Gut package, which should arrive soon, so hopefully that will help him make better educated decisions about what his diet should look like, once he's well enough to read it.

When you comment on the olive oil, feel free to comment on the ghee as well. Thanks! I have one more question, but not really related so I'll go do a separate post.

Hi nutmeg,

Yes, olive oil is fine and ghee (better if it's organic and made from raw/unpasteurized milk) are fine. Unrefined coconut oil is also good.

Once you read through Listen To Your Gut (and do the Workbook) you'll have a good idea of how to progress and it will help to clear your husband's head.

take care,
Jini