As of today, I’m officially off both immune suppressant infusions (Infliximab-dyyb, which I’ve been receiving every 8 weeks since February 2025) and birth control (which I’ve been on for the past 14 years to manage my severe cramps). It feels like a huge shift — and honestly, a bit surreal.
We’re now in October 2025. Over the past two months, I haven’t experienced the intense bloating or bleeding that used to knock me down. But I’m still dealing with some major side effects: extreme fatigue, headaches, and joint pain. Some days, it’s hard to get through a light workout without feeling completely drained.
At this point, it’s unclear whether these symptoms are lingering medication side effects, the result of dietary changes (I’ve been following a strict keto/AIP combo), or just part of living with ulcerative colitis. Either way, I was either experiencing harsh side effects or the medication wasn’t doing much for me — so my doctor and I decided it was time to stop.
Now comes the big question: is my diet and lifestyle truly helping manage my UC, or was it the infusions all along? We’re about to find out.
The crushing fatigue is most likely from the AIP diet (hello, ultra-low carbs), but I’m hopeful things will shift as I reintroduce some non-gluten carbs — starting with rice — in just two days!
Today is Day 29 of 30 on AIP, and I’ll be documenting how I feel as I reintroduce foods and slowly expand my diet again.
But there’s one more piece I haven’t talked about yet — and honestly, it’s huge.
Mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Most autoimmune conditions are heavily linked to chronic stress. And let’s be real: I live in the city, work in a cubicle, and spend way too much time in front of a screen. I’m realizing how crucial it is to actively reduce stress and reconnect with things that bring joy and balance. For me, that means more time in nature, more hikes, and yes — more pickleball.
If you’ve made it this far — thank you. Seriously. Your support means so much to me, and I love having this space to share my journey.
And if you’re going through something similar, I’d truly love to hear from you. I definitely don’t have all the answers, and I’m always open to learning what’s worked for others.
Xoxo,
Sky
Gut Feeling Diaries 
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