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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/9/2010 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Remission From Ulcerative Colitis More Likely After 50

http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/healthday/641794.html
Posted 8/9/2010 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
I saw this too. The first thing that I wondered is this: for us youngsters, does this study indicate we have better chance at remission as we get older? It didn't really read that way, but I hope so.
Posted 8/9/2010 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I know I got a lot sicker when I was younger, for other reasons, but I was diagnosed with UC at age 51. I hope it's true. Something to look forward to.
Posted 8/9/2010 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Gee.. I missed it by 9 years!

Normally they say you get diagnosed either in your 30's or 50's....so either I'm late or early, but not pregnant!  lol

Posted 8/9/2010 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting, but I necessarily don't buy it.

It does state:
"Patients in remission may no longer have clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis but may still have inflammation and may need to continue treatment with 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) drugs. However, they can discontinue immunosuppressive steroid treatment..."



To me, it would matter initially the doctor's treatment philosophy, patient's life situation and general mental/physical state, how much involvement there is, how bad the symptoms, how fast it's controlled, paitent compliance wiould still be necessary for long-term remission with 5ASA meds, and I don't see necessarily the need for immunoseppressive or steroid treatment initially.

Life doesn't necessarily get easier with age....it gets more difficult.

quincy
Posted 8/9/2010 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. Life would be better if we could start at 80 and approach 18. (Mark Twain?)
Posted 8/9/2010 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Levi, I so wish we could age backwards. I got diagnosed at 35 so I still have some time to go based on this article. More things to look forward to.... retirement, social security, medicare and less flares.
B
Posted 8/10/2010 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
For the first time in my life I am looking foward to getting old but I have to wait for another 20 years
Posted 8/10/2010 5:12 PM (GMT 0)

mudua said...
For the first time in my life I am looking foward to getting old but I have to wait for another 20 years

true! i hv 15yrs wait... smilewinkgrin
Posted 8/10/2010 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, now I am one of those "oldsters".  I was diagnosed about 3 years ago at age 67.  However, my doctor thinks I may have had it about 8 years or so - a sigmoidoscopy (due to diarrhea) showed no UC at age 55 or so.  This statement in the article....

"Patients in remission may no longer have clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis but may still have inflammation and may need to continue treatment with 5-aminosalicylate (5-ASA) drugs. However, they can discontinue immunosuppressive steroid treatment".  would not apply to me as I cannot tolerate 5-ASA drugs.  My new gastro said if I had another flare I should consider trying them again as they are best - better than steroid.  Specialist told me last year that he would not consider giving me Remicade or Humira because of my age.  I did take prednisone and 6MP but definitely reached final remission with rectal meds!

Right now I am using the Cortifoam/Anusol combination about every week or 10 days for remission.  I still have some inflammation and occasional blood - but tiny and no pain/urgency or diarrhea. 

I would like to say I am very happy I did not get UC when young - HOWEVER, having it now is not exactly fun and messes withh retirement and also other age-related problems like arthritis and hypertension.  I am planning on finally having a knee replacement which had to put off for almost 2 years due to UC!  AND - you young people will continue to have new treatments, even possible cure!!  I hope!

ElaineNY

Posted 8/14/2010 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed at age 52 and I still swear it was that Adkins (or is it Atkins?) diet that did it! I had IBS for years before that though.
Unfortunately, even though I had about four years total (1998 - 2000 and 2001-2003) of remission, the disease took over and I opted for surgery. I was afraid rectal cancer would take my life like it did my grandmother's. No regrets.
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