Confused and Scared

Hello,

Quite a few months back I started to notice blood in my stool. I finally got myself to the doctor and she told me she thought I might have UC, my Mom has it as well. She gave me some suppositories in case it was hemorroids but that didn't help the bleeding. What I'm confused about is that most information I read about UC says that one major symptom is diarrhea, mutiple times throughout the day. I don't have that though. I do have bloating, slight cramping and blood in my stool, pretty much everytime I have a bowel movement. Usually the first time I use the bathroom for the day it's the worse.

I also have the mucus that I've read is a symptom. Sometimes when I go to the bathroom that's all that comes out.

My other question is regarding dairy. I was vegan for 6 years and I recently started eating dairy again, right before the bleeding started. I read somewhere that dairy can cause flare-ups, but can it make UC appear out of nowhere for someone who hasn't had the symptoms before? Eating dairy definitely upsets my stomach and increases the amount of blood in my stool. Is this something other people experience?

I have an appointment with a GI Specialist next week, finally! I'm so anxious and scared, but can't wait to get some answers.

     My story is very similar to Whatsaflare's.  As a kid I was mostly constipated.  Bowel movements were on the average of twice a week.  I didn't develop UC until I was 52.  It started as you are describing...mucus with my bowel movements...then the urgency..finally blood, cramping and diarrhea.  I lost 15 lbs within a month and had to be hospitalized.  That is where a colonoscopy discovered UC.

     Ironically, I was following the Adkins Diet when my symptoms started.  The GI doctor said it was probably just a coincidence, but I often wonder.

     Don't be frightened.  You are taking the right steps.  Dairy does bother me when I am flaring, so I drink soy milk (Silk) in my cereal at those times.  Now I am in remission and drink 1% milk and I also can eat ice cream without any problems.  Good luck and God bless.  Let us know how you make out at the doctor's office.

     Not sure about the diet you are following, but if it works, hey, why not.  I take one fish oil capsule daily and two probiotics.  The GI doctor actually suggested my taking probiotics.  They gave me Flora Q in the hospital, but it is too expensive.  Powerdophilus by Country Life was recommended by my nutritionist.

If you are interested in a vegan diet and want to learn more about the effects of diary, you might want to consult a Naturopathic doctor who is knows about digestive disease. That is where I learned about yeast, loss of good bacteria and such in the colon that causes UC, and other diet issues that the GI never addressed.

Thanks everyone! I'm definitely familiar with the vegan diet, I was a vegan for 7 years. I recently started eating dairy again and it seems that my UC symptoms started right after that. I've re-introduced fish into my diet as well for the Omega and other benefits. A lot of the foods that I used to eat as a vegan now upset my stomach; salads, a lot of veggies unless they're cooked to mush, and meat alternatives. The doctor thinks I may also have Celiac Disease so I can't eat anyting with gluten, which is in all meat alternatives. My options are very limited, it sucks.
I saw some comments on soy milk...if you don't like the taste try Rice Dream, it's so much better and too much soy isn't that good for you.
I think I'll give probiotics a shot, I've been meaning to do that, thanks!