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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/7/2008 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I am new here and trying to get some answers, I thought best to give some background info.

I Sept. 2005 I started having very loose and foul smelling stool, a couple of times a day, did some research and figured I may have giardia, then found the lake at our cottage always tests very high for giardia, bingo, went to Dr. did 2 stool samples and neither came back t've (however they were done about 4 - 5 weeks post water consumption)  in November was referred to a GI specialist, did 2 more stool samples and both again were clear, he decided to do a sig, he found some inflammation but could not tell if it was UC Crohns or residual inflammation from a parasite.He then put me on flagyl, after taking this, the foul smell went away, and for 1 day I had almost normal stool. In march  (2006) he did another sig and a gastroscope both were okay, he still saw some inflammation and decided to call this colitis.  My blood work was consistent with UC.  I continue to question UC because all I ever experience is loose stool.  I carried on this way until March 2007 when I decided to try salofalk, I didn't notice anydifferences so stopped taking in September, I saw a different specialist in January of 2008 who suggested proctitis and ordered a colonoscopy, while waiting try pentasa supps.  These as well did nothing.

In March  2008 I had an emergency appendectomy, everyday after this I start feeling much different, I have more energy, and my stools are changing, plus the urgency is calming down.  My GP starts thinking that maybe my appendix was to blame, 6 weeks post sx I have my colonoscopy, the Dr. determine that there is inflammation in my entire colon (pan colitis).

Now I ask all of you can I have UC with the only symptom being loose stool?  I have never had blood, mucus or cramping. I am a triathlete so I am always working out and have loads of energy for that.  All I really want is the loose stools to go away.  (I go to the washroom 2 times in the am and sometimes once in the evening and depending if I have wine or salad at dinner maybe once thru the night)  Any comments would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Posted 5/7/2008 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
It is possible to only have loose stool and have UC. The fact that the meds did not help you improve doesn't mean anything either, lots of meds don't work for me either. If your blood work showed your UC and your GI said UC after 2 scopes, then I would believe him. I wouldn't trust a GP to decide whether or not you have UC. Did your scopes show ulcerations or only inflammation? It sounds like you have mild UC. I would avoid salads and wine if they make you worse. My opinion is that you need to work with your GI to find the right medicine for you before you get worse and face the fact that you have been diagnosed with UC.
Posted 5/7/2008 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HealingWell, Triskate.

Have your doctors told you it is ulcerative colitis or colitis? There are many types of colitis, UC being only one. Colitis can be caused by infection, and can take some time to clear up, although two years seems a long time. I'm wondering if your appendix was harboring bugs that caused a recurring or chronic low-grade infection. If so, it can take some time for your colon to heal.

Whether you have UC or some other type of colitis, taking a good probiotic may help you. Probiotics replace the good bacteria which are normal in your colon. People here use a variety of probiotics: Culturelle, Primadophilus Reuteri, VSL#3 and any number of others. Probiotics can be ordered over the internet or purchased at your local health store or most drugstores.

Yes, you definitely can have UC with the only symptom being loose stools. If you do, it's important to be taking some sort of maintenance medication to help keep it in check. Good luck, and let us know how you progress!
Posted 5/7/2008 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome. The fact that you don't have bleeding says your inflammation is in a very mild state...a good thing. The fact that it's spread throughout your colon is something that's not so great, especially since your previous sig-scope stated it as limited to the lowest part.

since the appendix is attached to the cecum, I can see that it could have triggered inflammation in that area as well as the rectum (there's a form of UC where it's clear between but inflamed at both ends. Eventually, it can become throughout...which yours has.

Since your stool samples came back negative for giardia...that's a good thing. It's possible the initial infection/parasite has been cleared up.....but probably it's triggering UC.

I'm assuming the rectal meds didn't totally work for you because you still had inflammation high in the colon as well as the appendix inflammation/infection. That area wasn't being treated. Not to say your appendix wouldn't have had to be removed anyway...it might have prevented your entire colon from being inflamed...but that's only assuming with early treatment.

Has the doctor checked you for c-difficile? if not...make sure he does.

Have you had a complete colonoscopy? with lots of biopsies? if not...get an appointment with a GI and get one soon.

My UC started with diarrhea...smelly stools, but lots of diarrhea, no bleeding or mucus....3 years before diagnosis. I had no stool samples and my doc didn't send me to a GI until I started bleeding. Of course, she thought it was only hemmies...I don't consider 20 times a day of explosive bloody razor-like diarrhea to be linked with hemmies...but whatever.

I don't think blood tests can confirm UC...but they can show certain levels that can lead the belief that it's UC. It'll also negate other suspicions....kind of like going through elimination process.

Please do not accept prednisone as your first med if it's suspected you do have UC.

I would strongly suggest you go back on the Salofalk and Asacol or Lialda to help get the entire colon calmed down asap. Since you're in early stages of "something"....those meds are still the best first-line med.

Welcome again....of course, I'm assuming you do have UC....but please don't do the prednisone if the doc says you have to be on it.

Are you in Canada? (salofalk..not in the US)
quincy
Posted 5/7/2008 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome info from both Quincy and Judy. Quincy, you made so many good points. I agree, get checked for C Diff and get a total colonoscopy if you haven't yet. And what Quincy said about the appendix, wow, interesting. Also I forgot to welcome triskate. I hope you keep feeling better.
Posted 5/7/2008 9:39 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for your insite,

I will check on the c-diff, I am not denying that UC is there I just have a hard time "believing" when I feel great and other than the loose stool and my Dr.s say I have this inflammation.  I am looking for other reasons  (as I guess is natural) what do you all know about inflammation with diarrhea and no other symptoms?  I think I was trying to see if any of you could think that my appendix was causing some of this inflammation and my body is still healing or if I have some other strange problems.  I will continue with the salofalk until I have my follow up (4 weeks)  I will also be getting some better probiotics as I think that this is very important.....anything else I can do?

Thanks

Posted 5/7/2008 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Oh and one more thing, my appendix was full of pus and blood - not just normal infection, it was also leeking and the entire area around was VERY infected (according to the surgeon)

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