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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/11/2008 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
I was just diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after a 5 day stay in the hospital. what can I expect in the future?? While my gi doc gave me many variables I would like to get some input from people who have it now. It has gone beyond the rectum and advanced to the mid colon area??(left sided colitis) any advice??
thanks in advance
Posted 11/11/2008 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, welcome to HW :) I'm so sorry you got the diagnosis but I'm glad you found us. Noone can really tell you what the future holds because we are all different. Some people may have mild Uc and isn't really bothered with it and others will have it so severe that surgery is the only option left. What I suggest you do is read up on it as much as possible. Go to our resource section here on HW or visit www.ccfa.org for information. The things you read online is going to confuse you and maybe scare you but to educate yourself as much as possible makes things less scary.

The main advice I have for you is to stay on your medications. Watch what you eat while flaring because it can aggravate your colon. While flaring, your colon is a bit more tender and eating the wrong things can "scrape" along and cause problems. Diet is very individualistic and you need to find what you can eat and what you can't. Stay away from Nsaids and all anti-inflammatories if at all possible because they promote intestinal bleeding. And be sure to drink lots of water or fluids so you don't dehydrate yourself especially if you are having diarrhea.  Also start a good probiotic if you haven't already done so.  Probiotics are good bacteria that replaces the bad in your colon.  They promote healing.
Posted 11/11/2008 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
What can you expect in the future? Well, I hope you can expect many years of good health!

Just in case though, certainly try to educate yourself about this disease and the basic physiology of the gi tract, -- but pace yourself. Whether you feel poor or great, you will be married to this disease forever unless you divorce your colon so you have plenty of time to get to know it.

I totally second what red34 said about taking your meds. Acceptance of this disease and complying with the treatment is difficult for some of us.

There are a lot of treatment options both traditional and alternative. I highly recommend that you make some "what if" plans for yourself if your disease should suddenly become severe again. It is very hard to make good decisions for yourself if you are very ill.

I have found this site really helpful. I believe that anecdotal advice is far superior to the generic information available on some medical site and in pamplets.
Posted 11/11/2008 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
You will learn to manage with it, by figuring out what you can and cannot do comfortably (physically and mentally). This forum will help you learn faster!

And, better living through chemistry. It's an adjustment to accept having to rely on medicine, probably for the rest of your life, but you'll do better if you just accept that is the case. Some people struggle with that.

You might also want to think about who to tell. I'm an advocate for not telling anyone you don't have to, including friends and employers. But others feel differently about that.

So there's a little advice from me! Be well!
Posted 11/15/2008 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there and welcome to the forum! Well, I was diagnosed one year ago but have learned quite a bit this past year. First of all, stay optimistic! That is so important. Always take your medicine and become as educated as you can about u.c. Becoming educated helps you to understand what is going on with your body and feel more in control. Perhaps even keep a food diary to try to help you understand what foods you may want to avoid. For instance, when I'm flaring I avoid milk. And at all times I avoid caffeine and chocolate. But this list is different for everyone so keep that in mind. Just know that you aren't alone and coming to this forum and talking with others who have u.c. is a step in the right direction.
Posted 11/16/2008 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hey behart,

There's a lot of things you're gonna have to learn about. If you don't have a good doctor, unfortunately, you're gonna have to do it on your own. Although diet might not matter for some people, it certainly does matter for some--like me. So I would recommend at least try modifying your diet--getting rid of as much dairy as possible--for example--and eliminating as much sugar as possible.

You should also look into probiotics. They've helped me more than any drugs ever did. I used VSL#3 to get into remission and now I use Primadophilus Reuteri by Nature's Way. VSL#3 is expensive, but so are the drugs, and it doesn't have the side effects of drugs. That's another thing you're gonna have to watch out for. Some of the drugs you might be given are very dangerous and if you have a bad doctor, the drugs he or she gives you can do really bad things that are irreversible.

Here's more good information:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies
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