HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

commonalities among UC

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/6/2009 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
I am determined to figure out my trigger!  Please, will you guys let me know some habitual information that we might all share....

1.  what blood type do you have?  (I am heading to the lab to find out this week)

2.  food vices?  ( I have always been heavy on sugar and carbs)

3.  What age did you first notice symptoms?   (I was 29)

4.  What foods are more soothing during a flare up?  (string cheese, and banana smoothies have worked well for me)

5.  Does anyone else in your family have UC?  (no one in mine does)

6.  Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling?  (I lived out of country until 2 weeks prior to my first flare up)

7.  At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time?  (I was so stressed I had quite eating and sleeping for 3 weeks)

8.  please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up. 

Thanks

 

Posted 7/6/2009 8:25 AM (GMT 0)

 1.  what blood type do you have? 0 positive

2.  food vices? None

3.  What age did you first notice symptoms?  13

4.  What foods are more soothing during a flare up? fruits and steamed vegetables

5.  Does anyone else in your family have UC? My twin brother has crohns

6.  Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling?  I was military and traveled stateside and abroad

7.  At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time? Yes

8.  please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up. 

Exposure to extreme stress, dust and exhaust fumes, my brother as well.

Posted 7/6/2009 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
1. Blood type: B+

2. Vices: I ate what I wanted when I wanted

3. Notice symptoms: 13ish

4. Soothing foods: Brown sugar cinnamon poptarts

5. Family members: No one else. Lots of auto immunes though

6. Traveling: Just in the US

7. Stressful time: Started the summer before I started high school

8. I had h-pylori prior to my diagnosis. We think it was antibiotics that triggered my UC.

Posted 7/6/2009 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
1. B+ (my colitis is not related to my blood type)

2. I took antibiotics for many years. My diet consisted solely of chocolate and beverages high in fructose. Antibiotics and fructose make my symptoms worse and can trigger a flare.

3. I'm not sure what age I first noticed symptoms, because I had IBS for many years before I got colitis. I was 43 when I saw blood coming out my butt for the first time.

4. I eat anti-inflammatory foods. I add turmeric powder to my foods and eat a lot of spinach. I also eat a lot of bananas. I drink Tension Tamer tea from Celestial Seasonings. I take probiotics.

5. Everyone else in my family has strong digestive systems.

6. I lived in Hong Kong and Taiwan for 10 years. I've also been to China.

7. No. My flareups do not seem to be stress related.
Posted 7/6/2009 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
1. what blood type do you have?
0+


2. food vices?

I ate too many sugar and carbs, too

3. What age did you first notice symptoms? (I was 29)

24

4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up?

Nothing

5. Does anyone else in your family have UC?
My grandmother. My brother recently had surgery for diverticulitis


6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling?
No


7. At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time?
No


8. please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up.

I quit smoking and began having symptoms within days
Posted 7/6/2009 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
1. what blood type do you have? AB+

2. food vices? None...my diet is soo clean most people would probably die of boredom.

3. What age did you first notice symptoms? 21

4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up? I eat the same weather flaring or not.

5. Does anyone else in your family have UC? No, I won the genetic lottery.

6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling? I came down with UC during my study abroad sem. in Korea

7. At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time? No...I was very unstressed at the time.

8. please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up.
Posted 7/6/2009 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
. what blood type do you have? Not sure

2. food vices? I loved pop & sugar before diagnosis.

3. What age did you first notice symptoms? 30

4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up? Bananas, chicken, & yogurt

5. Does anyone else in your family have UC? My great uncle

6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling? Vegas

7. At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time? Yes. My 9 month old daughter had surgery to cure her urinary reflux by removing her ureters & inserting them deeper into her bladder. Before surgery she had several UTIs, kidney infections, permanently damaged kidneys, hospital stays, and 105 degree temps. Also, trying to balance my job as a CPA, my side job as a assistant varsity football coach, building a new house (not that I was building it, but keeping track of expenses was stressful enough), and a continuing education class that met 4 hours one night / week that had a lot of assignments. So basically running on Mt. Dew fumes and no sleep. Got really bad headaches around that time as well. Popping the aleve like candy - only time I had ever taken the stuff in my life.

8. please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up. Not really. I could gradually tell starting in December 07 that my stools were getting thinner and more frequent. Then I noticed the mucus and finally in February 08 I noticed the blood.
Posted 7/6/2009 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
1. Blood type: A+
2. Vices: dairy gives me problems now. sugar too.
3. Notice symptoms: 25
4. Soothing foods: chicken and veggies.
5. Family members: Not that i know of.
7. Stressful time: A little, i was buying my first home and it took months and i had to stay with friend.
8. Prior to UC I consumed junk all day long. Now try to eat my veggies. i could smell mold where i was staying then one night of drinking beer caused my UC to kick in.
Posted 7/6/2009 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
1. what blood type do you have?
A+
2. food vices?
If I get food cravings, it's for something sweet.
3. What age did you first notice symptoms?
30, about four weeks after giving birth
4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up?
Nothing is soothing, really, but I try to eat low-residue to be kinder to my colon.
5. Does anyone else in your family have UC?
Nope. I have an adopted cousin with Crohn's.
6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling?
Not often, and I've only been out of the country three times (well, this doesn't count Canada).
7. At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time?
Hahaha....ask this of any new mommy!
8. please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up.
Childbirth...it's a very common trigger for a flare.

This said, however, don't drive yourself too nuts trying to figure out why this happened, etc. Also, trying to id patterns on this board really isn't that good of an idea. Really, this is a pretty small group, and most of us are on here because we have trouble managing UC. I'm here because I was so, so, so sick during my first (and so far only) flare. Hopefully I'll be lucky and won't have too many problems managing my UC. I plan to sick around regardless, though!
Posted 7/6/2009 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
1 What blood type do you have?
B+
2.food vices?
Tons of chocolate, sweets and carbs
3. What age did you first notice symptoms?
49
4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up?
Do not really know because when I flare everything seems to bother. So I try low fiber
5.Does anyone else in your family have UC?
Probably my mom but never diagnosed. Had a lot of trouble with diarrhea during stress
6.Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling?
Vacation to Scotland but not at the time it happened
7.At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time?
Not any more than usual
8.Please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up.
I picked up a GI bug at work and after that it was all over. Thought I got over it but started with rectal bleeding 4 weeks later.

I do not think you will find a common denominator . It is a real weird disease
Posted 7/6/2009 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
If I can identify a problem, I can start to fix it. I don't want to be on medication for the rest of my life... it is just a band aid. I am very greatful to the insight my Dr has given me, but with the understanding that this is not his problem... it is what he is paid to help with. The drugs are pushed and researched because they are were the profit lies, the is no profit for dr's or drugstores if we figure out how to cure ourselves!

I have heard many different theories on what could be causing UC and why it is increasing in frequency across america. Candida, bacteria, stress, diet, ect. Now, undoubtably there are different strains, like the flu and everyone might have minor variations, but why give up hope that a common thread will be found... and why wait for someone else to do it? Please don't discourage me!

How about vitamins? Prior to your first flare up, did you take vitamins (I never did).
Posted 7/6/2009 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
there ARE many different theories.... but that's just what they are...theories. There are no CURES for UC yet... only surgery.

I think if it were as easy as identifying the problem and fixing it... none of us would be here.
Posted 7/6/2009 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
1. what blood type do you have? (I am heading to the lab to find out this week)

O, I think positive

2. food vices? ( I have always been heavy on sugar and carbs)

Hmm. I dunno. I eat so many different things there's close to no pattern in my diet. But coffee, diet coke, and most alcohol tends to kill me, and I'm a caffiene addict.

3. What age did you first notice symptoms? (I was 29) 19 years old, though my stomach has been jumpy since middle school

4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up? (string cheese, and banana smoothies have worked well for me) liquids help the most

5. Does anyone else in your family have UC? (no one in mine does) nope

6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling? (I lived out of country until 2 weeks prior to my first flare up) Yeah, but it was nearly a year prior. I went to England and France.

7. At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time? (I was so stressed I had quite eating and sleeping for 3 weeks) Psh. College level science courses, stressful? (That's a yes btw, I was getting seriously owned by my chem course.)

8. please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up. I had been on antibiotics for UTI's, so the docs though I had c. diff colitis. However, I've noticed I often flare when I'm otherwise sick (I had the flu right before I was diagnosed) and I generally have my period when I'm flaring.
Posted 7/6/2009 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
1. Blood type: B+

2. Food vices: Nothing that I'd call a vice. But once I moved to the USA (before getting diagnosed) I stopped eating a lot of the fresh foods that I was used to having, and began eating more prepared foods (frozen meals, sandwiches)

After getting diagnosed, I stopped/avoid alcohol, caffeine, milk, sugar, high carb foods, artificial flavoring, preservatives, fruits and fruit juices....!

3. What age did you first notice symptoms: 30

4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up? Soft, well cooked vegetables, avocados and avocado veg sushi rolls, spinach/carrot juice, turmeric rice....

5. Does anyone else in your family have UC: one uncle.

6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling: I have lived in many different parts of the world (Europe, Africa, Asia) but prior to diagnosis had been in the USA for several years.

7. At first flare up, were you going through a stressful time? I'm normally very laid back and don't get stressed out easily, but did go through an intense, stressful time before getting diagnosed.

8. please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up: Stopped smoking a few months before getting diagnosed. Wasn't a heavy smoker. A few cigs a day.
Posted 7/6/2009 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
1. what blood type do you have? B+

2. food vices? (low fiber, spicy, oily/fried, cheese)

3. What age did you first notice symptoms? (I was 32)

4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up? (i just avoid food vices... spinach works)

5. Does anyone else in your family have UC? (no one in mine does)

6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling? (yes ..relocated)

7. At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time? (yes... very stressed period)
Posted 7/6/2009 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
I also had the flu days prior to the first sign of blood. Anyone else?
Posted 7/6/2009 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
No. I was perfectly healthy before. And I didn't have that much blood, and my flare started with diarrhea that got progressively worse in terms of urgency and frequency.
Posted 7/6/2009 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
1. what blood type do you have? A-

2. food vices? Fast food!

3. What age did you first notice symptoms? 22

4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up? Not sure

5. Does anyone else in your family have UC? Not that I am aware of

6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling? No

7. At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time? I was going through a very stressful time during my first flare up. Subsequent flare ups happen during stressful times as well.

8. please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up. Taking antibiotics can pretty much guarantee a flare up.
Posted 7/6/2009 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
How about eating meat??? My boyfriend is convienced that this is because I eat meat! (he is, of course, an avid vegitarian) He seems to relate all health problems to a carniverous lifestyle... but humans have been consuming meat for their entire existance! He claims the steriods and antibiotics added to meat now have created these issues in us. Was anyone a vegan prior to diagosis?
Posted 7/7/2009 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
I think that meat is much more taxing on the digestive system than a simple vegetarian diet, but I suppose that then again depends on what kinds of meat and vegetables you eat, and how you cook them.

I have been vegetarian for 18 years. It seems some people with UC seem to manage okay with fish and chicken, and avoid eating red meat.

With diet it's a matter of trying a few different things and finding what works for you. It could probably be worth a try going vegetarian for a short while to see if your symptoms change.
Posted 7/7/2009 12:11 AM (GMT 0)
I took Accutane, then a bout of intestinal flu...and then the blood came and the diagnosis.

It's ridiculous to blame it on eating meat. Ugh, nothing worse than a righteous vegan.
Posted 7/7/2009 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
1. what blood type do you have? O+

2. food vices? tried to eat a varied diet- but probably too many carbs - don't drink enough water

3. What age did you first notice symptoms? 57

4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up? rice, chicken, bananas
5. Does anyone else in your family have UC? no; other digestive problems-Mom has GERD; Nana had digestive trouble of some sort & died of pancreatic cancer.

6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling? Frequently in the U.S./ 2005-Nicaragua

7. At first flare up, were you going thru a stressful time? yes

8. please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up.

I would like to add another question:
9. Were you fed Mama's milk as an infant? (no) If so, for how long?
Posted 7/7/2009 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
My answer to question 9: Yes, I was breastfed. I think I was about 18 months before my mom finally managed to wean me. I loved the boob, apparently! One of the first things I said was "lillow, lillow, nuuse, nuuse" (lillow was "pillow," for the pillow my mom propped her arm up on)
Posted 7/7/2009 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
1. what blood type do you have? I am B+.

2. food vices? Red Wine gives me problems the next day sometimes bad....spicy food, sugar, Popsicles are evil

3. What age did you first notice symptoms? 15 for "IBS" 25 for "IBD"

4. What foods are more soothing during a flare up? ensure and some rice and maybe a bit of chicken. If not so bad then eggs, fish, couscous

5. Does anyone else in your family have UC? My aunt and autoimmune disorders run in my family

6. Prior to diagnosis, did you do any traveling? I spent two weeks in Boston then two weeks in Maine right before I got sick.

7. At first flare up, were you going through a stressful time? Always, I am an extremely stressful person to the point I probably have a issue.
8. please let me know if there are any other important changes that happened just prior to your first flare up.
I was sick with some sort of allergy/upper respiratory infection that was way worse than anything I had ever had. My eyes were dripping snot in my sleep and it was soooo strange and upsetting. I went to the doctor ..:finally...because I hated going to the doctor back then and he gave me antibacterial eye drops because he thought I had a bacterial infection but I was so scared to take them because I hate both medicine and eye drops in general and then I got better. And then I got really sick with UC. And I thought I had cancer because there was no way I had this weird rare disease called UC and then I did.

My answer to question 9: Yes, I was breastfed.
Posted 7/7/2009 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I was breast fed, don't know how long, but I know i didn't eat solids till about a year after normal babies start eating. I was strictly milk and apple juice.

Also, I was born extremely yellow, and they kept testing me for jondice... didn't have it, but they continued tests for 2 weeks. My mom made them stop.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12