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What a week... (update)

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/13/2008 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I posted a question last weekend asking if anyone had experienced painful abdominal pressure and got several helpful responses.  But it got so bad that I decided a trip to the ER was necessary on Sunday night.  It turns out I was suffering from gallstones and mild pancreatitis.  My hemoglobin levels dropped while I was in the hospital and I nearly needed a blood transfusion (NO!).  Luckily it went back up long enough for me to have a colonoscopy and a laproscopic cholectomy (gallbladder removal) without a transfusion. 

My colonoscopy revealed that I have full-blown pancolitis, rather than just proctitis.  I'm really bummed about this, but I'm hoping that my new medication (Asacol) will finally help me out of this flare.  My hemoglobin has dropped again, so now I'm on iron as well. 

I just thought I'd post an update on all of this, since so many of you were offering support and advice when I was having so much pain.

Posted 9/13/2008 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
wow i hope everythings ok now, hopefully the asacol works, they wanted me to take that too but then when my doc said i had to take it several times a day i voted no and i got put on lialda instead. i saw that you take zoloft too, they wanted me to take that and i chickened out as soon as i read the warnings and side affects, in ur opinion just zoloft work for you? im so scared of new pills that ill just sit there in pain and crying for weeks instead of asking for help.
Posted 9/13/2008 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear Katie.  I really hope the Asacol works out for you.  Maybe now that you know your diagnosis for sure it will help you and your doctor be able to treat it better.  Get some rest and *good vibes* to you!

Posted 9/13/2008 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
I glad you are on the road to recovery.
I hope you are taking SLO-FE, it's easier on the gut than regular iron.
Be well!
Posted 9/13/2008 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Pixydust - I just started taking the Zoloft, and my doc said it would take 2-6 weeks to see any noticeable effects. So I can't really comment on it now, but I'll write a post if I see a difference. I was scared to take it, too, but the stress/anxiety/depression caused by this disease just became too much to bear. I have a toddler son, and I just can't afford to be pissy all the time. Its not fair to him or my husband... or myself. ;-) If you're suffering that much, you should really give some new meds a chance. That's no way to live your life. You deserve to be happy!

Daniella - Thanks for the good vibes! I appreciate the support! ;-)

Peety - I haven't heard of SLO-FE, but I'll definitely look into it. So far (after two days) the iron tablets haven't caused any stomach upset, but if they do I'll keep your recommendation in mind. And thanks for the well wishes!! :-)
Posted 9/14/2008 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Pixydust I have been taking zoloft since right after I was diagnosed and realized that the predisone was making me crazy but that was the only drug that would put me into remission and not to have my colon removed at the time. 2001 was when I found out I had uc.I was 21 years old and Had relatively know idea what I was in for but zoloft takes the edge off and reduces the anxiety by 100%.. You sound like you could use something like this! Do not worry about weight gain like so many of these drugs can cause the zoloft actually suppress your appitite. At least it did for me but I know that was one of my concerns at the time. I personally started out taking a low does and as I felt I needed more I just talked to my doctor..It is also very important not to read all of the side affects because what happens to some people does not happen to others.. Hope this helps!!!!!
Posted 9/14/2008 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
I just got out of the hospital myself, but they didn't find anything as serious as what you went through.. I really hope you find some relief soon!
Posted 9/14/2008 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you went through all that! I hope you're feeling better.
Posted 9/14/2008 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, what an ordeal you had to go thru! I'm glad you are feeling better and on the road to recovery. Goes to show you that even what we think are benign pains that it can be something much more serious.
Posted 9/14/2008 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Katie

Sorry I missed your question.
I had to have my gall bladder removed when I was 27. And it was due to UC....I did not know until that time that UC could cause problems for the gall bladder and pancreas. I had been diagnosed with UC at age 15 and my worst years, when it was pancolitis, were between ages 15 and 35.....

Of course it was the dark ages when I had my gallbladder removed....1975. I was in the hospital for a week and the recovery was h*ll. Also when I first had colitis it came on so suddenly. By the time they figured out what it was, I needed six blood transfusions.

But here I am at 62, and while I still have UC and kept my colon, my disease is considerably less severe. I have an occasional flare, a yearly colonoscopy and can eat almost everything (I still cannot eat much chocolate).

Hang in there and hopefully you will feel better. My gall bladder pains was the worst pain I ever had. Mine had gotten so bad, it was totally infected and on the verge of bursting. I am glad you went to the ER.
Posted 9/16/2008 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for your encouraging words and wishes for wellness. This community has really gotten me through some tough times, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Thanks for being there. :-)
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