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Encouraging words for a newbie?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/15/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

The more I read about UC on the net, the more depressed I get.  Sometimes, after my nth bowel movement of the evening, I am on the verge of tears.  I am going for a colonoscopy soon to get an understanding of the full extent.  Will I always feel so hopeless?

 

Posted 11/15/2008 2:15 AM (GMT 0)

Knowledge is power!  I did not originate that!  BUT - don't "borrow" trouble.  Wait until you have the test, work with your doctor on the right medication and soon you will be writing about being in remission.  We can't go back but we can go FORWARD!  Everyone here knows the feelings you are having.

Hang in there.

Hugs, ElaineNY

Posted 11/15/2008 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Elaine...I'm really glad I found this forum.  I never realised that there were many others like me; I will be following up with my doctor for sure.  Had a fever for several days and could not find the energy to go for colonoscopy, but I am a little better now and will do that soon I hope.  In the meantime I'm trying to read a lot, and i'm trying to learn how others are coping.  It's nice to hear from other patients, and not just from doctors.  I want to get 'real-life' advice from people who are managing their illness day-to-day.  Thanks again.
Posted 11/15/2008 6:54 AM (GMT 0)
Tookie,

It's a pain in the as$.  Bad sense of humor..  But my doc used meds to get it under control.  The level of symptoms determines the levels and types of meds.  I found a new discipline to food selection and learning the cause and effect of certain foods.  Not everyone has the same road to travel, and hopefully yours will smooth out soon.  Let us know what the doc says.  btw, what country/state are you in?  Smiles.

Posted 11/15/2008 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tookie,
I'm pretty new to this disease too, and find myself very emotional at times as well, but I'm finding it easier to cope as time goes by, and as I read more and more. Also, when I realised that some of the strength of feelings was coming from the steroids (Pred.), I felt a lot easier in my own mind. The attitude and humour of the folks on this board an enormous help (thanks, everyone!).

<<Hug>>
Posted 11/15/2008 12:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tookie, welcome to Healingwell. :0) So you haven't been officially diagnosed with Uc yet? If not, then please try not to worry until you get the scope. Easier said then done I know! Hang in there.
Posted 11/15/2008 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your repsonses! Red, I haven't had a colonoscopy yet, but all the symptoms are there.  Having to go several times a day, the urgency, blood, mucus...from what I understand my specialist is pretty sure it's UC but wants to know the extent and rule out possibility of anything sinister. My grandma passed away from colon cancer, and my uncle had polyps removed.  We seem to have a lot of similar problems in the family as my aunt and cousins have celiac...I have had blood tests that rule out celiac, and they said that consistent bleeding with stools is not a symptom of celiac but rather UC.

Posted 11/15/2008 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome,

     Yep, sounds like UC to me too.  I had the same exact symptoms when I was first diagnosed ten years ago.  Since then I have had several flares.  This last one was a doozy, lasted from beginning of April to Oct.  I was on the prednisone fairly long and my GI doctor hates that, but hey, it works for me.  I've been symptom free for almost two weeks and hoping and praying this remission lasts.  However, now I have a horrible cold..grrrrrrr.

Posted 11/15/2008 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Don't let yourself get stressed out - it can make your symptoms worse. Also do read too much on the Internet it can be scary:) I had that problem also. Don't stress about the colonoscopy either they knock you out and you don't feel anything.
Posted 11/15/2008 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tookie, I swear we're from the same family. I'm the only one that has been diagnosed but my whole family has pretty serious bowel problems. Many of my cousins have Celiac too. My test came back negative but I still have Celiac. The test isn't always right--if you haven't tried a gluten free diet you should to see if it lessens symptoms at all. You could be like me and have UC and Celiac.

How long have you been sick for? I'd like to give encouraging words but I am very pessimistic after suffering for so long with my condition. There are many people that ease into remission with only a couple of medications. I envy those people, but am glad for them. I hope you will be one of the people that benefits greatly from the medications!! Advice: stay away from prednisone unless truly needed!

For the first time in my life I'm in a full remission--it's been about a month. I should be happy but my pessimistic ways just wonder when this new medication will wear off and I'll be back to where I was.

When is your colonoscopy? They're really fine. The worst part is prepping for it. The laxatives taste disgusting--I throw half of it up! And they're not very considerate when telling us how much to take--I think we need less than a normal person, we have no problems with emptying our bowels ourselves! Lol.
Posted 11/16/2008 2:56 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Asia,

My auntie said the same thing about Celiac tests - that you can get negative results but still have it.  Right now my colonoscopy is tentatively scheduled for the week after this one.  Before these symptoms showed up, I have always had one kind of allergy or another - my immune system is wacky.  I know I have strong allergy to dairy (if I have raw milk, it can result in anaphylactic shock) I cannot tolerate direct sun and have allergies to some medications.  I've been reading that UC can come on after prolonged stress too, and I've certainly had that.  Last year I had a nasty attack of shingles that was complicated by aggressive infection that wouldn't respond to antibiotics.  Long story short, it was a close one. I was on various medications for months.  It was gruesome, and the scar (faint now, with treatment) caused enough misery on its own.  I have noticed that when I'm happier my symptoms are fewer; and i NEED my exercise.  I've found it makes a significant improvement on my overall condition and I have noticed that there is less blood when I'm physically active. Good luck, and hope your remission lasts!

And Jessica and everyone; thanks for the kind words!  I may have been scaring myself by reading too much on the net but I am still really glad that my 'research' brought me here.

Thanks again :)

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