Can UC get worse?

<sub>I've had untreated UC for the last two years with the same symptoms persisting. My doctor has recommended me Redmicade as no other drugs have been really effective on me. Just recently though I have noticed a an increase in bowel movements , so many it is waking me from sleep. They have also become more painful, persistent and quick. Does anyone have any ideas or stories I am feeling sad and like this disease is taking control of my life.

I am a male, 23 who has been diagnosed with indeterminate colitis when I was 19.</sub>

Hi Buffy

I know the feeling, meds never did anything for me either but I never went through Remicade. I just decided 6mp was as far as I was willing to go last year and when it didn't help and had side effects I stopped it.

Three suggestions:
1-add a mesalamine enema nightly (Rowasa brand name but available generic also). Not easy to start with but keep trying. It can really help.

2-Take a probiotic daily. I use VSL#3 but others take other types easier to get from the drugstore. VSL#3 is mail order for me but if you have a very good prescription coverage you can get it as an RX also, called VSL#3DS (stands for "double strength).
Start slow with it, it "might" cause some gas in the beginning. If it keeps causing gas try switching to a different probiotic.

3-Conside eliminating gluten (wheat products) and dairy from your diet for 1 week. See if you have ANY improvement.
If you do then consider trying the Specific Carbohydrate Diet to control your symptoms. It helps some people (me) and not others.
Your doctor will have no information or support for diet modification but it is something you can try on your own. It is a healthy diet (not kooky/weird). Simply put you eat meat/protein and veggies that are low-starch and low-sugar. Oh yeah, stop eating sugar in food and drinks too.

Yes this disease can take control of your life, it's very bossy that way. The way I've come to look at it is my colon and stomach are trying to tell me something, I just have to figure out WTH they are saying.

I still take Balsalazide so am not med-free as you are.

You will find your limitations increase depending on the severity of a flare. I would never have tried Remi, until my last flare about drove me crazy. I decided that 4 months with no sleep was enough and either the remi would work or I would get surgery. Remi is still working atm. My flares have gotten progressively worse over the years regardless of what meds I had been on. None really worked that great. At least the last year has been more livable and fairly consistent symptom wise. I am able to jump in a vehicle and leave for work in the mornings without that anxiety.

Flares can vary each time regarding severity, come can be mild and some can be moderate just as some are severe, just another thing about this disease being so unpredictable.

Hey guys, wanted to say thanks for all the replies.
After a a day in the hospital and knowing something was not right we concluded I have an infection in my colon, possibly C. Diff.
Results should be back soon, and in the mean time i was put on some antibiotics and feel much better all ready.
Thanks again for all the feed back.