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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/25/2009 9:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,   At least I hope that some of the older members remember me. Wow, life has definitely taken me for a ride this past year and a half. As you guys remember I was living in North Carolina when I was medically discharged for my UC. Well, then I moved to Nebraska to help my brother with the kids while his wife was deployed and so he could help me, as I was unable to take care of myself with my health problems at the time. I got in with the VA in Omaha, what a beautiful facility. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and tried just about every treatment there is with no luck. Found a wonderful group and doctor to help with my depression and PTSD. And as for the UC, I was miserable until I finally got in to see the GI who crushed me. He told me that I didn't have UC and that there was nothing wrong with me and I was just being over dramatic and a baby. I was devastated to say the least. I was so lost; I mean this is why I was discharged from the AF. So feeling like a poser I quit coming to the site. Well to make this part of the story short, I got in a fight with my brother and he kicked me out so I had to get a job and an apartment, and the job was not kind to my health. I finally had enough and moved to Orlando to be close to my mom who knows how to care for me. I found a great place to live, my dog absolutely loves it and I am finally starting to feel like I have a home now. I am now seeing doctors at the VA here in Orlando. Just got the results from my 4th colonoscopy and yes I do indeed have UC and am in an active flare. He is going to start me on Azathioprine, well as soon as I get the medication in the mail. We are still trying to find relief for my fibro and back pain (my back is screwed up from working the flightline for nine years and carrying a 65lb toolbox on my shoulder for 8-12 hours a day). We have gone from Percocet to Morphine tablets to possibly morphine patches I will just have to see how it goes. I have found a wonderful job where I get to sit at a desk with my music going and do my school homework (I'm working on my Bachelor's degree in Business/Marketing and should graduate next June) while on shift. So things are really starting to look up for me. The GI says that he will be able to get me asymptomatic for at least two years. I can't even imagine that since I haven't been symptom free since diagnosed in Aug 06. I am looking forward to getting back in touch with some of you. I hope this finds you all well and on your way to getting healthy as well. Em
Posted 2/25/2009 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Emily! I was actually wondering how you were fairing not too long ago. It sounds like you've been on a roller coaster ride for sure. Did the doc tell you much about the Aza?
Posted 2/25/2009 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Gosh, we must have been on the same wavelength! I was thinking about you the other day too, Em, and I'm happy to hear that things are looking up for you. You have been down one rough road. Good for you that your Mom is caring for you now and that the job you have is something that you like and your body can tolerate. Oh gosh Em, it's so good to hear from you! Hugs my friend!

Posted 2/27/2009 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Emily and friends! I'm glad you're finally in the right place and starting to receive some better care! I haven't been around much for a while either. I can't get on the computer much because my fiance is busy obsessively researching wedding decorations etc. turn
Hugs to all of you!
James
Posted 3/3/2009 8:41 AM (GMT 0)
Sherry,
He didn't tell me that much about it (the Aza) except that it is a wide spread medication, it should get me to an a-syptomatic stage and that I have to be on birth control with it. What else can you tell me?
Posted 3/3/2009 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
Aza is a an immune suppressing medication. It suppresses the entire immune system response - which is believed to be the cause of flares for UC. You have to be sure to get frequent blood testing to monitor for liver function and the whole blood panel. When you first start you typically get your blood drawn on a weekly basis and then when everything is fine, it gets pushed to once a month for a little while and then 3months and then to 6 months. I am on 6mp which is similiar to Aza. Actually Aza breaks down into 6mp in the liver while 6mp is the true form and doesn't require any breakdown. Some people do better on one or the other due to some liver enzyme issues.

I hope that this gets you on the right road. It takes a while for the Aza to start working though. It can be anywhere from 3 months to a year (a year being not usual) before it shows improvement in your symptoms.
Posted 3/4/2009 7:45 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, no he didn't tell me about all of that. Hmmmm. Well the blood work thing doesn't really bother me since there are two cuties that work in the lab at the VA that I like to joke with but a year to show improvements??? That just burst my bubble!!! I still have to wait a couple of weeks to take it too since I have a lumpectomy on the 13th. But I know that one day I will get this thing under control, being the control frak that I am, why should my body be any different right? He He. Now if I can just get my back, fibro, and nerve damage to fall in line then I could act like a kid again. It could be the start of my fourth life, LOL. That is a little joke I was telling laney about as we sat for two hours in Z Gallery on the most comfortable couch in the world; 1st was my life before the Air Force, 2nd was life in the Air Force, and now I'm on my 3rd life after the AF, the the 4th could be life after UC!!! Yeah me!

Thanks for the info, I had been trying to research it but with work full time and school full time and taking care of my mom, spare time had been a little difficult to find. I'm counting down to June 2010 when I graduate.

Hope you are well,
Em
Posted 3/4/2009 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
The year is unusual but not unheard of. Most people start to respond to it in 3 months. I think the MOST important thing to remember while being on this med it be sure to have your bloodwork! This can prevent so many complications. For instance, it can show if your liver enzymes begin to get elevated or white blood count drops. So if your doc doesn't do blood testing, be sure to pester him about and ask him why he isn't.
Posted 3/5/2009 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Ha ha, I remember that day well, Em! You will have that fourth life....couch and all! Ha! Hey, I'm on my 7th life right now.

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