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hi im new and wud like as much help as possable

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/30/2008 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi im new 2 UC forum.. i was told in May 08 that i have colitis .... to be truthful i still dnt really understand what sets me off, how long does it take? what should i look out 4.

im 23 yrs old and female. i was on iron tablets to help me as i became aniemic with it. but now off them. i take Asacol. and co-codamol for the pain.

i was told stress causes flare ups, well this yr ive lost my dad in jan, 1 week lata i was in a car accident where i lost my bro. thn lost my nan and grandad in nov 2 weeks apart from each other. im sure tht enough 2 cause stress. but i have tried real hard 2 stay calm, keep wrkin.

i was told some foods set it off? n e thing ? or is it only some things for some people.

i am quite weak some days, mainly after havin a flare up.

i sometimes cnt get to the toilet quick enough - it hurts all of a sudden thn i have 2 go. does tht happen to every1?

 i know i have asked alot but im just very confussed wit it all. and i find it hard tlkin 2 my consolant, dnt help tht i cn only c him every 6 months.

any help will be very helpful and im very thankful

 

Posted 12/30/2008 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
     Hi baby and welcome to the forum.  Yes, your condition sounds very familiar.  We all suffer here with very similar symptoms.   It is hard to decipher what exactly triggers flares.  Everyone has their own theory but we all agree that stress plays a very important part.  I was diagnosed ten years ago with ulcerative proctitis (mainly my UC is in the rectum).  This followed a very stressful year like yours with the loss of both my parents within eleven months.  I am so sorry for all your losses.

      Your pain and then the urgency to go happens to me too while flaring.  That is why I have four portapots around the house because even though we have a ranch type home, I still cannot make it to the bathroom in time.  You didn't mention whether you have any bleeding.  I mostly bleed with my flares, have the urgency and pressure in the rectum.  Prednisone is the only drug (although a very harsh one) which helps me into remission.  If you have still having problems I would insist that the doctor see you before your next scheduled appointment.  My GI doctor sees me every three months but if I need him in between, he or one of his associates take me right in. 

      You will find that the people in this forum and most helpful.  Good luck and God bless.

Posted 12/30/2008 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome. I'm new to the forum myself ( just a couple weeks ) But I can tell you that the people here are great. I have recieved a whole lot of good useful information and ideas. And everyone is so caring. You problem with urgency and not making it in time happens to us all it seems. I know it has happened to me. I also am in my intial flare. Been flaring since last nov. But wasn't diagnosed till my colonoscopy in aug. I feel like I'm finally getting better and it has alot to do with the ideas I've recieved here. My doc, sees me every 6 weeks during this flare up, because he's workin to get me out of it. He also has me call in with a report every 7 - 10 days. And He or his Med assistant calls me back with any changes he wants.
Am sorry for your losses and agree that that would be enough stress to set anyone off, even someone with a healthy colon.
Hopefully you will start to feel better soon.
Posted 12/30/2008 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry for your losses as well...you have had quite a stressful and emotional year. I agree with the above mentioned that stress is a huge trigger for the UC and flare ups...the onset of my UC occurred almost immediately after our wedding, which to me was very stressful. : )

Your symptoms are experienced by each and every one of us is some way or another. We all understand your frustration and confusion. As for the foods...it is a unique situation for each person. However, when in a flare do try to avoid nuts, seeds, grains, and other foods that normally cause a bit of a problem, maybe beans, lettuce, coffee, etc. I have moderate/severe pancolitis, which is UC of the entire colon, and let me tell you that when I'm in a full blown flare the only foods I can tolerate is applesauce and soup.

Prednisone is an evil drug, but the only one that helps the severity of my condition. I also believe you should see your doctor sooner than later, and try different medicine combinations until your flare is under control.

I'm sorry that you're suffering...this really can be a disease that de-humanizes you at times and for me makes me feel far from a woman. I'm glad you have found this site and forum...I too am new to this and already feel more accepting of my situation just knowing others are exactly where I am.

I wish you the best of luck!

: ) Robin
Posted 12/30/2008 3:50 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome to HealingWell, Baby. Because UC's usual course is remissions and flares, it can be really hard to know what sets it off. I'm convinced that a lot of the time, it sets itself off. Or as I say, it comes and goes as it pleases despite what we do.

There is some great information in this thread, and it's a good place to start learning about UC:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=273435

Posted 12/30/2008 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
First off, hope you start feeling better soon and you will!

Stress and IBD ='s FLAIR...we have to be so very careful with the way we handle stress, try not to let things get to you so much (I know it hard).

Rememeber this is a brian gut disease, so the mind and or one's state of mind has a big effect on flarring and remission.

Hope this helps!
Posted 12/30/2008 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
thank you for all you great replys, all is helpin and the question about bleedin, yes i do pass quite abit , which my docs knows about... i was given meds that i had to put in to the anus, but i felt very uncomfortable with it. that is when i was put on to asacol.
i really hate it when at work as i work with spiecal needs children and it hard just 2 leave them. and the head teacher dont seem to understand how much pain it causes me, and when i have a day or so off, he moans and says im having to much time off. i dont wanna keep losin blood as i was told by my GP i would need to have a blood transfusion. but touch wood it aint got tht fair yet.
Posted 12/30/2008 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
oh and also im in the uk so my doc dnt see me when i need to, i can talk to his secutairy but still dont get me an apointment. i do get to see a normal doctor which then recomends nothin cos thr useless. thats why i like to see my consaltant.
im on the pill (birth control) and periods can some times be heavy which i find my flare ups can also be worse.
i go to the toilet several times a day where i will pass stools, but only soft small things, nothin like what its bent to be. and there is always blood and sometimes lumps of blood, is that clotting?
i probably worrie to much , but i dont really have any one that understands me , or that i feel i can talk to. thats why i joined here as i knew i wouldnt sound like a wierdo.
thanks Kay
Posted 12/30/2008 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
      I'm in the US, no problems getting in to see the doctor.  Heard that in the UK and Canada there can be a long wait to see the doctors.  Glad we don't have socialized medicine.  Does the doctor send you in for blood tests?  If you are bleeding, you can become anemic.  There are other people in the forum from the UK.  Perhaps they could be of more help.
Posted 12/30/2008 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
yh i have been anemic for the last year, iron tablets have helped, i have a blood test bout every 3 months but i book them normaly, just to see how things are going.
Posted 12/30/2008 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi..welcome to the forum. My conolences to your personal losses this past year. Deep emotional stressors such as you've had will have an impact on your flares...they would on mine for sure. But, you're not on enough meds, and that in itself is an issue you need to address to help keep flares in check and treat the inflammation you have at this time.

You should get back on the rectal meds..what exactly were you on?

q
Posted 12/30/2008 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
i take in total 4 asacol 400mg tablets a day. 2 in mornin and 2 in evenin
Posted 12/30/2008 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
oh , i take co-codmal 4 pain, and pill(birth control), also have an inhaler for small asthma.
Posted 12/30/2008 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
What rectal meds were you on in the past...the ones you stopped taking?
4 asacol daily is a low dosage, you might consider to ask the doc to even up it to 6 daily...3 twice daily.

q
Posted 12/30/2008 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
i did have suposatories, but i cudnt take them, i got very upset and it was uncomforable, so doc changed me ova to asacol. hasnt changed since then
Posted 12/30/2008 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
enemas
Posted 12/30/2008 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
What I can suggest is that you try to use rectal meds of some kind. I know they will be uncomfortable to put in, run under hot water helps a bit to slide in better or using a lubricant.

It will help your rectal discomfort.

q
Posted 12/30/2008 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
I used lubricant , really cudnt do it. im very funny bout the area. i know everyone prob feels the same but i cnt have my self or my partner touching it let alone sticking anything up there.
Posted 12/31/2008 6:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Kay, just read your messages.....I live in Canada now (moved here 5 months ago!), but am originally from London, England....

I was diagnosed in England. If you want to chat with a fellow Brit anytime, just give me a bell! Hope you start to feel better soon...you've had a crap time (no pun intended!), but things will get better x
Posted 12/31/2008 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Baby, and everyone, firstly Im so sorry to hear what you've been through in the last year,as everyone's said, its no wonder you've been stressed, I myself have only just been diognosed with Protitis in November and I also live in the UK,,In Kent,, and have only joined this forum this week, and I must say that Ive learned more about this condition in the last 2 days then everything the docs have told me in 4 months,,it really been helpfull, which Im sure you will to,, hope your feeling better soon
Posted 12/31/2008 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
     Are canasa suppositories available to you over there?  Perhaps they would help if you cannot tolerate the enemas.  I know, the enemas are NOT pleasant, but the do wonders for me.
Posted 1/1/2009 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Baby, I'm also new to the forum, but I was diagnosed about 2 years ago. I was very uncomfortable using the suppositories also. I was on the canasa, which is okay- but I didn't enjoy it... Now I'm taking Lialda, which I take before bed... Since taking it every night, my symptoms -like yours, baby- bleeding, clotting, frequent- but incomplete- bowel movements are not present daily. I'm not sure if you have Lialda in the UK but it's worth a look...
Posted 1/1/2009 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
thanks 4 all everyones oppions, im hopin to c my doc soon to tlk 2 her , see what she says.
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