New to this.. need advice, suggestions, info plzzz

Hey aggie, Im new to the site but not new to UC. Ive had it for about five years now (more but was diagnosed officially 5yrs ago). It really took me a long time to actually accept that I had the illness. I dont think I have a severe case, but Ive just had a very bad flare up that didnt go away with rest and diet, so I dont know if its getting worse.

The thing with this disease is that it seems to be different for everyone. There seems to be absolutely no rhyme or reason to why I flare up. Sometimes its something I ate, drank or stress. Tea and coffee are a big no no, but it took me a very long time to accept that, silly really. I love tea and for a long time I could manage the illness and deal with the symptoms by fasting or going without the things that cause a flare up but more recently, there's just been no knowing how Im going to feel with it. Im guessing this will just be a bad year for me with it. I was diagnosed after my first VERY nasty flare up, then was in 'remission' for a few years. Recently (we moved 18months ago... stress??) Ive not been able to keep it under control, so Im having to reevaluate my lifestyle again, consider meds I wanted to go without, etc.

Just take it one day at a time. Thats what this illness is teaching me. Learn about your body and keep in mind this is a long term illness. You are unique. Thats another thing this illness has taught me. No one knows or understands what I go thru with it. My family is helpful and understanding. I have days when Im my bouncy, happy, lively energetic self. Then there are days when I just know somethings coming over me. I feel lethargic, tired, like EXTREMELY tired, I get all the other symptoms as well, running to the toilet every 5 minutes, the blood, the pain, discomfort. All that I can deal with but the tiredness... that kicks my butt!!

There is no rhyme or reason to it all sometimes. You gotta first of all accept that you have the disease. I tried to live in denial for a few years, thinking I could do all I used to do. Take it one day at a time. We're all different. Surround yourself with family and friends who are understanding. Rest and eat right, get some exercise and be prepared to sort of accept whatever comes your way. It kinda just sucks, basically, but having a positive attitude about it, cutting yourself some slack, and accepting that maybe you cant do what you used to do, making necessary adjustments and time goes on. Keeping in mind that you will have good days, bad days, good weeks, bad weeks. Even good years and bad years.

Sorry I couldnt be of any more help. But this is how it is for me.

Hi, and welcome to the forum!
Hopefully the prednisone will kick in and calm things down for you until the imuran kicks in.
What kind of enemas were you on, Rowasa or steroid?

It is so true that we are all different. Some folks have found that dietary changes help them a lot, others don't. Some find that supplements like probiotics and soluble fiber (Metamucil, Citrucel) help them a lot, others don't. You might want to try some of those things and see if they help. If you use the "search" function on the forum, you can find lots of recommendations on probiotics and fiber!
For me, I haven't found that any food sends me into a flare, but if I am flaring, some foods can make me more uncomfortable. When flaring, I stay away from raw fruits and veggies - things that can be scratchy going through; gassy things, like beans (the gas hurts when I'm flaring) greasy or fried things, because they're hard on the digestion for anyone.

Welcome again! This is a great place to ask questions and share experiences.

Hello,

Ask your Dr what he feels about hydrocortisone enema...

Hey, I'm 16 and I had my first flare up back in January. I know it really sucks. It basically turned my life upside down and after a while it does kind of get to you. But I would suggest to you to have a good group of friends you can talk to and your family. The more informed they are about what your disease is and all the crap you have to go through the more they can help you. And flare ups last different amounts of time for everyone. I think it depends on how bad you have it and what you're treating it with. To ease the pain, maybe try hot baths, heating pads on your butt. And I know this might freak you out, but if you haven't already, go buy some baby wipes. I used to go between 30 and 40 times a day, almost nothing but blood, very painful and very messy. Baby wipes with aloe help soothe your butt and make you feel a little cleaner. And whatever you do, try not to push when you go. It can makes things worse than they already are and it sounds to me like you've already got it bad enough.

My daughter was just diagnosed with UC and she is 9 yrs old ! She has now been bleeding for 4 weeks and we are finally getting a diagnosis now and Hopefully can get it under control . I am so glad I joined this group I have learned so much already!

everybody is so very different

I was 24 with my first flare, had it like 4 months or so, and then did not flare for 10 years!  then after 2nd flare, i didnt flare for 5 more years!  While in remission, I felt completely normal and didnt even feel like I had UC!

My advice: keep a food and symptom diary.  add a probiotic and try a fiber supplement. 

I have had UC for 19 years, and my most recent flare up has lasted a year and a half.  I found that it is very improtant to take the meds your GI prescribes, for me, rowasa and lialda. 

where is your uc located?  It it is in the proctosigmoid area, rectal meds are recomended.