How long does it take you to go into remission?

I know, I know, it greatly differs between people.

I guess you can say I'm just a bit anxious. Just a week and half ago (2 weeks on Thursday), I was diagnosed with UC (about 30cm). I've been on 1.2G x 2 tablets of Mesalamine since the first day (Doc says I have a very mild case). I'm seeing a bit of difference but not much and my progess seems to have plateaued.

I guess I'm just wondering how long it took all of you to get your symptoms under control or until you were normal again after being diagnosed. Also, after each flare-up how long does it normally take for you to cram it back into remission. I just have no idea what to expect and I guess I'm looking for averages or something.

I'm new here by the way, but it really is nice to see that there are others out there who have UC and are leading normal lives (not around a toilet). The worst feeling in the world is thinking you're alone with this.

Anyway, any replies would be much appreciated.

- Tom

I've heard some people say they went into remission within a couple of weeks; for others it was years. There just really is no way to predict how your body will react to treatment or what the natural, untreated course of the UC would be.

I'm new to UC too. I also had the same question...about how long it can take to go into remission. So I realize that that can vary from flare to flare as well. But I have a related question. First, the background info: I started prednisone 40mg ten days ago and will taper down 10 mg/wk. The prednisone helped with the severe diarrhea and most of the pain but I still see so much mucus in the toilet every morning and I still feel really lousy most of the time (nausea, fatigue, mild to moderate pain, etc.). How long do I wait before contacting my doc for additional help? I don't want to be a wimp or high maintenance. I feel a bit lost.

Thanks for providing such a great resource!
Happy Thanksgiving.

It usually takes three to four weeks for the Lialda to become fully effective. If your symptoms become worse as you taper the Prednisone, you may want to check with your doctor about a slower taper.

Hi all...I have uc for 3 years now and now am on Iron infusions just started this week..can someone please tell me what to expect in full remission...I am in the bathrooom starting at 5am until 9am and several times thereafter. There was a time I could not go out without running right back..now I can go out for awhile and be ok so i guess that is something..did Remicade with no results..am now on 2 Lialda, protonic ...have been on everything you guys are on,,colazal,pred...several times. asacol,,you name it ...any suggestions would be greatly app.  also trying holistic at this time...thanks all  Happy Thanksgiving to all and

god

bless

After being diagnosed with UC in 2006 I was started on Mesalamine. With in a couple of week I was feeling much better and I was able to obtain remission for a few months. I then caught a cold which turned into a sinus infecting and then kicked off my UC. I ended up in the hospital that time for seven days. After which time I was on a Prednisone taped for a few weeks. By the time I got down to 10mg I started into what I thought was another flare. It turned out to C. Diff which I picked up in the hospital, and it put me back into the hospital for 17 days. After getting out the second time I was able to taper down on the Prednisone. This time I tapered 5mg every week. I was also put on 175mg of Imuran during this time. By the time I was down to 5mg I had to go back to the hospital with another round of C. Diff. Since the last hospitalization I have had a couple of small flare. It has now been about two years and after I was put onto 200mg of Imuran I have finally been off a prednisone taper for two months. I guess what I am trying to say is that you can obtain remission even if you have to take prednisone a little longer than you would like. Now I only go to the bathroom once or twice a day with out any other complications. I hope that all of you can obtain remission with out going through what I did.

Thanks for everyones input so far. It's VERY helpful. Seems like there is a steep learning curve that comes when you are initially diagnosed with UC...figuring out what to expect, learning about all of the medications available and when they are used, how to handle problems that come up, diet, lifestyle, etc...
I think it is hard for my co-workers to really understand what being sick with UC means. Even though I'm not running to the bathroom every hour I still feel poopy ;) (i.e. lousy).
Should I still be having cold sweats, chills/feverish episodes, mild/moderate pain, lots of mucus if the inflammation is getting better? I guess what I mean is should'nt I start to see a more noticeable improvement by now...3 weeks on Lialda & canasa and 12 days of pred? It seems like from what I've read that fever, night sweats, etc. are related to acute, uncontrolled inflammation.
On a different note:
What do you all think of taking a leave of absence from work while I'm still in a flare? Is that wimpy? I'm wondering if that could help speed up my healing. (I have just enough energy to do basic living and go to work, no extras really). I work in a hospital and my job can involve some very physically demanding activities moving patients, pushing hospital beds, etc. It sounds like I know the answer to my own question but what do you all think anyway?
Anyway, I rescheduled for an ealier appointment (next week) so hopefully I can adjust meds and stuff.
Thanks everyone, your super!

Night sweats may be a pred side effect unless you were having them before you started pred.

I'd ask your doc if he felt taking some time off would help you medically. When I was first diagnosed, I spent a week in the hospital, then a month on bed rest at home per doctor's orders, but I was extremely ill.

I'd advise you to be patient with your body's response. Sounds like you haven't been on meds very long at all in the scheme of things. Not to discourage you, but you'd better prepare yourself for the long haul. I'd guess most people don't bounce back from their first flare and quickly achieve remission unless their case is very mild. Use this time to rest as much as possible and to educate yourself on UC. I read everything I could get my hands on to learn about UC, how a healthy digestive system is supposed to work, and all different kinds of approaches to treating and living with UC. There's a wealth of info out there... arm yourself to fight UC and regain your life.

Hi everyone. I know this post is way old but I was diagnosed a year ago and had no clue what Colitis even was then I started learning what it was all about. I was in the hospital for 3 days. I lost 14 lbs. due to being so weak and constant going to the bathroom.
Everything I read below was helpful but I am really struggling with the diet. I WONT eat bad like I always have (serial junk food lover) but Im having a hard time with what I can eat.
Also does anyone get blocked ears when they take Asacol, Prenisone or Flagyl??? Im not sure which pill it is yet but its awful.

Anyways I definately feel alone and am worried about my new job and being out so much and wanted to know if anyone has any tricks of the trade for diet or sleep methods????
I cant sleep since I wake up sick @ 4 am every morning...

I can give this hope. I was diagnosed with UC in 1975 and got it under control in 1977. I stayed in remission with no meds or diet restictions until 2000. Using Sulfer tablets for 3 months I was back in remission and have not had any problems since. I have not retrictive diet and take no meds for colitus

My second flare was the worst. I became pred dependent and decided to try fecal transplantation. I did fecal transplantation one time each day for three days. By the third day, I was in remission. My other flares all took about a month and a half to get into remission. Recently, I had a very mild flare. That one took less than two weeks to get into remission. However, I've been under a lot of stress lately. One day I'll be okay. The next I might show some symptoms of starting to flare. Back and forth. I'm doing a liver cleanse and taking turmeric, probiotic, and boswella supplements. That seems to be helping to keep me from flaring.