New to this, struggling.

Hi all,

I first got symptoms reflecting UC in August '08.

It was strange, I had just started a new job and had gone down to a local sandwich shop. I had chicken sandwich, which tasted alittle strange but I ate it anyway, thinking nothing of it. Meanwhile I was treating a toothache with Nurofen (which I had never used before for a painkiller). Days after the two, I suffered from bloody stools, uncomfortable stomach pains and upto 15 bowel movements a day. 
My doctors first thoughts were that I had gastroenthritis, and prescribed a course of medication to treat it, 10 days later the symptoms were still at full strength so I went back. My doctor forwarded me onto the local hospital, by the time my appointment was due, my symptoms had died down and I felt fine. Normal stools, no stomach complaints and 2-3 bowel movements a day - perfect; because of this, the sigmoidoscopy was put on hold as the doctor at the hospital thought it was just an infection because it had passed on its own.

Unfortunatly, in November '08 I experienced another flare up, but worse. Same bloody stools, mucus, uncomfortable stomach pains, but now having over 20 bowel movements a day. I was increasingly worried, dehydrated and feeling really ill. The doctors did nothing! Just told me to wait and see what happens, but fortunately I returned to the doctors for the forth time, with hope of something productive being said. The doctor who was covering told me to goto A&E and not wait for my appointment because of the extent of dehydration and amount of blood I was passing.

I was hospitalised for just under a month, and was discharged in late December '08. Whilst in hospital, I was prescribed Prednisilone (80mg), ASACOL enema, ASACOL tablets (400mgx2) in the morning and night, 30mg Lanzoprazole. The prednisilone did not work, atall. Therefore as a last resort, before surgery, I had a series of Cyclosporin infusions, which later turned into tablet form which thankfully worked.

Now, I'm off the prednisilone (since two weeks ago) therefore I have stopped the Adcal D (calcium), Lanzoprazole too. But I have felt alittle strange, I have an ulcer in my mouth and just don't feel right! Fingers crossed!!!

Thought I would let you read my experience upto now.

I'm really glad to find a forum on this, I'm not alone afterall.

Thanks.

Tommy--

welcome and make yourself at home here. Loads of great, kind, friendly albeit strange at times, people here with a ton of advice and knowledge.

I'm sorry you have UC but you're among people who understand on here.