Natural ways to support Bechets symptoms?

[Rainbow-cloud]

I wondered if anyone had found any natural methods that supported Bechets and reduced flares?

I am trying to see if there is anything else I can do to help my husband. We already are fairly low processed diets, not loads of meat and a lot of plants etc

He doesn’t drink or smoke. He does have a sweet tooth, but he does try to not go mad there (seems like you should be allowed some treats sometimes!).

Just wondered in case there was anything else I could do to help support his diet/lifestyle.

thank you 🙏

[LukeS]

Avoiding stressful situations as much as possible has been extremely helpful for me

[Icefire]

Hi there, You mentioned a sweet tooth. This was certainly a problem for me. Managing blood glucose levels has resulted in a reduction in symptoms.

I used a freestyle libra patch for two weeks to get a measure of what was spiking my blood sugar. Whilst I would have described my diet as healthy before I'm now more aware of what effects blood sugar and eat less 'white carbs', fruit, and starchy veg. If I am going to eat it I try to have them early in the day and make sure I move after. This has made a terrific difference. You can learn a lot from the 'Zoe' podcast and the Glucose goddess book / website/ podcasts.

If you can afford it I found the Zoe personalised nutrition programme helpful. Otherwise the podcast gives a lot for free.

(It's normal for blood sugar to fluctuate, repetitive high spikes are considered to be inflamatory by many researchers in the field).

I have tried many supplements. The two that have stuck are Omega 3 and Methylfolate. I was reading an old post on this site whilst researching and one person had found complete resolution from supplementing omega 3 at quite a high dose. This something I stopped for a while. I restarted about a month a go and Bechets is calm at the moment.

Getting adequate sleep is essential.

Stress is very unhelpful. Changing jobs was a good move for me. Same job, different level of support!! Journaling and reflection has probably helped me to. Dr Chaterjee talks of these things in his books or podcast. (GP that prefers to use food and lifestyle first, drugs if needed!)

Exercise is the other tool I have. Whilst doing too much too quickly can put you directly into a flare. Building up slowly and moving as much as you can throughout the day can really help. I invested in an ebike which has been a game changer. Still exercise and time outdoors but not a massive stress on the body!! I'm lucky that my cycle to work is mostly off road.

Anyway, I'm rambling. I didn't get a diagnosis for 24 years despite being hospitalised as a teenager with Bechets. I took a lot of paracetamol and ibuprofen in my younger years and several courses of prednisolone. I always have a sreoid cream to hand just in case and use it occasionally. My preference is to manage this illness with diet and lifestyle as much as possible.

What the future holds I don't know, but for now it works.

Good luck.

[Rainbow-cloud in reply to Icefire]

Wow! This is like reading what I say to my husband all the time, without really knowing if it helps with Behçet’s or not! Amazing reaffirmation that it’s the right way to pursue.

I have myself done the Zoe programme and when I run I listen to Zoe and Dr Chaterjee!

Thank you so so much!

[Icefire in reply to Rainbow-cloud]

I'm glad if it helps! I persuaded my husband to do the Zoe because I was worried He was becoming prediabetic. He did it half heartedly for a few weeks but it has made a massive difference to his mood and energy. He also read Dr Van Tullekens book ultra processed people and I would say this has had a massive influence for him and Me. My gut is far more normal if I avoid emulsifiers (and too much white carb). I actually approached my local hospital research department about looking into blood sugar variability and Bechets. They don't have enough cases on their books but recommended going to centre of excellence to follow it up. Between kids and working I haven't quite managed yet.

I did find a research paper that linked Bechets to diabetes even in people of normal weight. My hunch is that it is about glucose variability.

Omega 3 has something to do with resolution of inflammation.

I started to take methyfolate because I found research that found it helped people with recurrent mouth ulcers. The study excluded Bechets patients but I thought it was worth a go. It really works for me. Something to do with energy production at a cellular level.

I hope He listens to you and it works for him!!

[gillianTS]

Avoiding refined carbohydrates has helped me. I try to avoid as much as possible. It was my Rheumatologist who mentioned removing refined carbohydrates.

Certain fruits like strawberries, pineapple, oranges etc have a bad reaction on oral ulcers but I have discovered if I eat these with plain homemade yoghurt I do not get the same reaction.

Cannot tolerate fizzy drinks like lemonade or fruit juices. Sweets andchocolates are seldom eaten now. These things seem to spark ulcers. I have also got into a habit of thoroughly rinsing my mouth with water after eating and drinking.

[magician]

hello!

Almost 98% of my my food intake are home cooked, except for the occasional « healthy crackers » which I invariably end up as flops when i try to make them at home. Low sugar, low saturated fat, high fiber, etc.

The other really helpful approach is I took up relaxation practices - yoga, taichi, prana meditation. I avoid stressful situations, even « stressful inputs like books  » - those that have violent stuff.

I take my meds regularly. Based on failed attempts to wean off , i have reconciled myself with the thought that i need the meds.

Best regards

[Jaxxi]

Thanks to Zoe I discovered that limiting glucose spikes helps me to minimise flares. I did the full programme the year before last, but now I just get myself a glucose monitor every now and then, to make sure things are looking OK. I've been gluten free for years but I still occasionally fall off that wagon and regret it when I do!

Physical activity is really important to me - I get very deconditioned during flares - when I simply can't exercise without becoming very ill. But I do try to maintain 3,000 steps a day on all but my very worst days and work back up to 6,000 + as soon as I can. I also do some strength training - nothing too forceful but enough to maintain bone density, mobility and balance. I'm a 67 year old female so those are crucial, but I also feel that good muscle tone helps the Behcets.

My flares cause a lot of GI issues and these tend to cling on after a flare, after other symptoms have subsided. I've found that at these times a low FODMAP diet is really helpful. I let the FODMAPs creep back in after a while but a couple of months sticking to strict limits does feel very healing and settles things nicely.