New to Forum

Joined a few days ago so it's time to say hello. So it goes a little like this. Got ill last Nov. Treated by GP as an infection. Meds made no difference so another visit had him thinking UC. Started treating with meds for UC while waiting for scope from my new GI Guy. Yep...UC. Now on Asacol, 3x800, twice a day. They took me out of the Hell you all know about but I feel crappy again. Not like Hell but uncomfortable gut pain often, and some d with blood sometimes. Still pretty new to this and I don't know what to eat that won't hurt me. Corn chips, cheddar cheese, and Gator Aid most times. I try to have something more filling at supper but it is limited to chicken most times and that does not always go great either. Nothing spicy, beef hurts, no deli meats for sandwiches, eggs.....no, and the list goes on. At my last visit with my GI he said it was time to start eating but it sure doesn't feel like it. I dropped 19 pounds and that is quite a bit when you only weigh in at 145/150 to start. So I will be here reading and trying to get better informed. That's my story. The short version. And once again, Hello.

welcome to the forum.

So the Asacol was helping but now you're feeling worse? And still taking the asacol? how long have you been on it so far?

It totally sucks when you're feeling so bad and everything you eat just feels bad.
Meds can be slow to work and you can have ups and downs. But you will get better.

As Sherry said, diet is very specific to each of us. I'm a huge advocate of a food journal. I still keep one so I can continue to improve the way I feel. Take notes on what you eat, pills you take, what you drink and then describe all of your symptoms during the day as well. I was able to eliminate some surprising foods (I never would have guessed certain things would be irritating) and I always always have trouble with the things I've eliminated if I try to eat them again.
Find what works for you and remember that what works for others may not work for you.

Hi..great you're getting in with the GI so soon!

I would suggest that you request Salofalk retention enemas and use them nightly. Then if needed, use the butt darts in the morning after the majority of your bms or use them when tapering the enemas or for maintenance...etc.

As for the gut pain....I use dicyclomine (Bentylol)...started with 10mg and that should help. Do use caution when initially using it, I would suggest at bedtime initially until you see how it affects you.

Start with probiotics taken at bedtime on a fairly empty stomach....I personally love the Renew Life Ultimate Flora Critical care....that also will help get things back into a good balanced flora.

I would also suggest you use a fibre supplement. I prefer the Metamucil (or superstore brand psyllium) capsules. I started with one capsule with meals and then increased.

Salofalk enemas...cannot stress that point enough to you...and the suppositories are NOT enough to deal with your inflammation.

Keep us updated.
quincy

Thank you all for your input so far.
Chris

Hi Chris - I've been out a lot the past few days, so I haven't welcomed you yet. As others said... Welcome!
When I go to the pharmacy to pick up my enema supply, I always tel them, "It's a big package!" You'll have a box of individual bottles in it.
If you search "enema" in the upper right hand corner of the screen, you'll come up with lots of how-to's and hints. I do mine in bed before going to sleep. I warm it in my hands first (or under my arm while I'm reading), shake it, take off the cap and gently squeeze out the little bit of air, and then while lying on my left side I insert and squeeze the medication in.
I stay on my left side for 30 minutes (I'm usually asleep by then)... and when really inflamed, I find it helpful to not talk right after inserting it (in watching a colonoscopy I found that my colon moves when I talk - lol!!). Sometimes there's an urge to expell, but generally if I take slow, shallow breaths that will pass in a minute.
Good luck! It's great medicine!

songlady - your "big package" description is a fair warning.  When I picked up my prescription for the first time it was SO embarassing.  I had no idea how big it was, they slapped it down on the counter and of course it says "rectal enema" all over the box.  I get my refills at Target so anybody else in line or shopping in nearby aisles could see it if they were looking.  I was fighting back tears.  Then when I paid, the store prints out coupons based on your current purchase for future use and I kid you not, I got a coupon for toilet paper!  Now I can laugh at the story - but at the time I was devastated!  Now when I pick up a refill I ask them to bag it before they put it on the counter for me.

Well after trying the bum darts steady things seem to be improving. Not so much gut pain. I tried the salofalk enema 1 time so far and that may have helped. about 3 nights ago. That gave me a lot of pain after an hour or two. Like cramps and rectum pain. Not so much cheese lately also and lactose free milk with my cereal in the am. I do feel sick in the am though. I told my wife I think I may be pregnant. She said I better find out who the mother is.
That's my update, Chris

After a while if you will feel more at ease using them, but they are well worth any cramping you may feel now. Welcome

I'm having trouble finding canned spinach.