getting my strength back.

I was first diagnosed with UC about 4 years ago.  I can remember it took quite a while to get back on my feet.  Recently not realizing what was happening until I saw blood that a flare-up has occured.  I have been in the hospital for the past 2 weeks and have finally been let out yesterday after recieving remicade.  I havent really eaten anything and need ideas on how to slowly gain my strength back.  I am on prednisone, 8 of them a day and asacol 3 times twice daily.  The cramping is bad to the point where I dont even want to move.  When I move then I am finding myself running to the bathroom.  I have lost alot of weight and seem so weak.  I wake up drenched in sweat and am having wierd dreams.  What might be causing this?  Does prednisone make anyone else feel anxious or jittery?

I just took the remicade monday. I have been released from the hospital and decided to come to my parents for a while so that I am not alone at home. The mornings are generally rough and at night. While i was in the hospital I went for almost 4 days without eating. I was throwing up at night and had severe stomach pains. Today i have gone most of the day with just minor cramps. Tried eating some soup, canned peaches and chicken with rice all over small portions. I get to the point where I am comfortable then I am scared to move. I am going to try and get lots of rest throughout the day. my body is so weak from not eating and not excersising.

Also taking 50mg APO-AZATHIOPRINE, ASACOL, and PREDNISONE.

25yr old from port elgin ontario

Should I be taking any suppliments while I am trying to get better?? Vitamins or anything?? I have to go give blood now once a week to make sure my cell counts dont drop..and back to get another dose of remicade through IV.

When I was first diagnosed with this I never did anything like this.. i just ate my prescribed pills..ate a bland diet and one day was just better.... from then on in I ate, drank partied like it never happened...then it just came back!
so frusterating

I agree with what some of the other have said about eating soft, easily digestible foods like rice and applesauce. Also, boiled eggs should give some good protein. Make sure you're drinking a lot of fluids too. Juicing vegetables helped me get some necessary vitamins when I was in a severe flare. I juiced spinach and carrots.

I don't think protein shakes are a good idea as they often have a lot of sugar, artificial flavoring, and other unhealthy ingredients like carrageenan.

MattUC --

I am too on Remicade, just had my third infusion yesterday.  Give it time and it should work, hopefully soon for you.  I have pancolitis UC, much bleeding, and the Remicade starting working slowly almost within 7 to 10 days, but you need to give it time.  The prednisone should help as well.  Just resting helps, eat very bland foods, low residue diet should help ease the pain while you are in your flare. 

A multi-vitamin would be good when you are not having so much diarrhea, push the liquids, ask the MD for some advise on how to regain your strength.  I too was very weak, but now on Remicade it's getting much better, but I just have trouble sleeping....I think I'm hitting the menopausal stage of my life, like I need that right now.

I wish you luck in getting better very, very fast.

it is so nice to be able to talk someone about this. Although it is hard to describe in words how you actually feel physically and mentally. Staying positive is the most important part I guess. It is hard when your 25, have the whole summer while your friends are out doing what you would do on a regular basis. All I care about now is getting back to work for the 17th of August. Cannot wait until I have the confidence to leave the house without fear of looking for the next rest stop. UC is never good for a relationship either. Again I thank all of you for keeping in contact, it means the world to me. Hopefully once I am better I can go another 4 years without any worries

I'm so sorry you're stuck feeling like you are. I'm on 40mg of prednisone and lately I get really shaky. My hands tremble. Its starting to affect my quality of sleep too I think. Good luck!

when i was on 40mg of prednisone for a couple months my heart beat would be so rapid it would drive me up the wall... and i wouldn't even do anything to make it get that fast...i'd also have the sweats.

CaptPoopyPants, sorry, didn't know. I'm in a mild flare and drink it without problems (unlike when I drink coffee) so I assumed it didn't.

Thanks Julee,
Like I said everyday seems to be a little bit better. I can go all day now being fine, it is mostly in the middle of the night that I end up in the washroom. The stomach cramps have basically been pretty limited and only find some bloating now. Maybe remidcade is the miracle drug. I cannot wait to get off prednisone though it messes with my emotions lol. Yesterday I finally had the confidence to go out to the beach and order some food. I ordered fish and when it came to me it was uncooked and rubbery and I completely lost it. I am a relatively calm person usually and never complain. I am wondering if the medication is making me testy.

Matt.. When I am at my worse... I pick up some baby food - stage 2.  The fruits and vegetables are excellent, very easy to digest, lots of nutrients and totally approved by my GI.  I especially like the peaches, fruits and sweet potatoes.  There is even some corn that is totally smooth but tastes just like creamed corn.  I existed on baby food for months at one point during the winter. There is no added sugars so it is very easy on the gut.  Good Luck.