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Just had my 2nd Colonoscopy

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/26/2009 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
I know I shouldn't compare my UC to any one elses and that I should treat mine so that I can be as healthy as possible but I have sort of a dilema. So I am curious how most of you all feel your UC is.

I had a colonoscopy early this month. I hadn't had one in since I had been diagnosed over 4 years ago. I figured the pics would be a little better because when I did the first one I was flaring badly for 1 month without any treatment. Although my pics this time weren't great, I feel I'm controlling my UC because I feel normal. Or as normal as I have ever felt after UC. I only have about 3-5 bms / per day without any pain and once I have my morning BM's i can pretty much feel safe the rest of the day with minimal to no worries about my UC.

Anyways, I have been prescription med free for at least a year now and I don't want to go back on any but I am sure my GI will want me to when I see him next month to discuss the colonoscopy. It's really my fault because my diet plays a huge role and I have been eating extremely healthy about 75% of the time but it's that other 25% that I endulge in my worst enemies and I strongly feel that is why I am not where I need to be. I'm thinking I am going to ask to stay off prescriptions, but I'm scared my GI will tell me he can't be my doctor anymore if I tell him that. Maybe I'll ask him to give me some tests that I think may help lead me in the right direction with my diet, like candida test or any food allergies. I'm stressing about what my GI will tell me so much that I really don't want to see him.

 

Posted 10/26/2009 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Well, here's what I think, as a person who has had a lot of success thus far with traditional meds and plans to stay on her meds:
Given your symptoms and the results of your scope, you're flaring. Even though it's not terrible and isn't controlling your life, 3-5 bm's a day is more than normal, and it sounds like you have some urgency in the mornings. And even though you feel pretty normal, I think that constant inflammation (even if it's low grade) will increase the chance that you'll develop colon cancer. If you can keep it at a lower level by using meds, that's something to really think about.

If you don't want to see your GI, well, then don't! :) There's nothing that says you have to. Of course, then you might need to find a new GI when the time comes for another c-scope or if you get into a bad flare again. Can you please remind us why you don't want to take maintenance meds like the 5-ASA's?

I'm enjoying a totally symptom-free remission right now, and 100% believe it's because of the meds I'm on. I have 1-2 non-urgent BM's a day, eat what I want, and feel great!
Posted 10/26/2009 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure your GI will still want you to be their patient. I currently don't take any Rx meds and my GI knows it. I don't worry about what he thinks. The Rx meds he was giving me were making me worse, I'm doing better with my own methods.
Posted 10/26/2009 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
I have to agree with AMK77.  My current specialist that is 150 miles away told me he does not want me taking any medications that make me sicker than the UC which is what has happened.  He told me the first gastro doctor kept me on prednisone too long.  Anyway, I feel about 90% or so in remission.  Occasionally, I have loose stool, and symptoms of IBS which could be inflammed colon (hard to tell the difference). I have 1 or 2 BM's formed on most days (depending on what I eat), no more left-sidded pain (only gas once in a while - there again IBS).  I have not seen any blood and only a little mucous since going off all meds.  IF I see blood and more symptoms I will use Cortifoam and/or Ansul for a few days and call him.  I ask him about cancer risk and he told me it would increase after 10 years of diagnosis.  He recommends yearly scopes and biopsies to stay on top of that.

I honestly feel so much better right not NOT taking the medications.  I can't tolerate 5 ASA's so they are out.  6MP did not work!  Prednisone stopped the bleeding which was great but tapering was rough!

ElaineNY

Posted 10/30/2009 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your replies everyone. I know it's hard to go against mainstream ideas and methods for anything especially medical treatments. I just find it hard to believe that everytime I tune in to the MD radio station on XM radio all I hear is doctors talking about hard or funny to say new medicines and all the side effects.

I have had horrible severe Pan Colitis since it hit me fast and furious in 2005. I still haven't gained my 25 pounds I lost but am slowly gaining it now I think. I am prescription free mainly because I never wanted to go on them in the first place. Plus add the fact that I was mostly flaring while I was on asacol and imuron and prednisone. Actually prednisone is the only prescription that showed any type of reaction to my UC. But, unfortunately, I fell victim to one of prednisones most horrific side effects. So as long as I can see my diet playing the role that it does I will want to treat my UC with lifestyle changes and diet.

I actually scared myself to eat a lot better than usual about a week before my colonoscopy and about 2 days before all the visible blood stopped. That only reaffirmed my diet theory for me. I had been bleeding very little almost all year and mostly with my first bm's of the day. And now since my colonoscopy I have not seen much blood at all so I know something is better. I usually have formed or semi-formed stools but can see a big difference when I stray from my diet.

Well I will have to see what my GI says Nov. 10...

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