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Posted 12/7/2011 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
I've bookmarked this page and read the forums often so I thought I'd share my story and hope for some feedback.

I got into a D.O./M.P.H program 3 wks ago. (YAY!). This disease is said to be brought on by stress. But thats how I function. The life of a doctor may not be the most stress free environment but I just hope this disease doesn't limit me during medical school and my abilities to provide for my patients to the best of my ability.

I'm 21 yo, I was diagnosed with UC 07/11 confirmed by an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I thought I had everything under control with 4 Asacol (800mg) in the AM and 3 at night... until 11/04. It came on gradually but I haven't had a formed BM since. Some days I rejoice because it seems like my BMs are really trying to form... and then the next day it will be all fluid. Some days I will see no blood... and then the next day there will be blood.. though the amount of blood has significantly decreased since 11/04.

I don't like to take medications for anything, so I refused to take Prednisone until I absolutely couldn't stand it any longer. I've had 4 accidents in the past 3 weeks... not cute. I am worried about gaining weight from the Prednisone. My GI specialist put me on 40 mg of Prednisone on 11/11 and I've tapered down so now I am taking 15 mg/day. I don't think it's helping, though I'm not sure. I'm also doing mesalamine enemas every night, which I think makes my BMs more watery in the mornings.. if thats even possible. I'm 5'3", weighed 148 on 11/04 and now weigh 133. I've read that I will gain this weight back, plus more weight, once my flare goes away. Is this true? I'm now at a weight below a BMI of 25, which is great, so I don't want to gain it back.

I'm starting Imuran 50 mg/day tomorrow. My friend with UC said that Imuran dosage is based off of weight so it's odd that my dosage is so little. Does anyone know if Imuran dosage depends on your weight? Also, I don't want to take Imuran but I fought so hard with my GI specialist about the Prednisone and don't know what else to do. I know it can affect me systemically and the risks can be as severe as hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL). I'm just so scared.
Posted 12/7/2011 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Rookster! Congrats on getting into your program and good luck with school. You're desciption of your BMs totally sounds like mine when I first start a flare and the enemas can def make it more watery. You don't necessarily gain more weight back. The first two times I was on prednisone I was like 13 & 14 so I ate everything normally after and gained like 5-8 lbs extra each time. Those were also long periods of time on high dosage (90mg/7mos+) since Then I learned to just pace myself with the food on the taper down and I just go back to my original weight. Prednisone sucks so I get the fight on that. Im only on 40mg/day for a few weeks cause my dr and i argued The Immuran I do always "hear" bad things about it but ive never met anyone or seen anyone here in the forum actually themselves have an issue. I'm on 50 mg/day right now and we seem to be about the same weight. Do you take anything for stress or anxiety? That maybe something to look into. I know when I was still in school I needed something to get me thru it all. I unfortunately wasnt able to keep up due to my flares and all but when I was there I feel like the stress reducers reallly helped me stay there longer.
Posted 12/7/2011 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rookster. Glad you found the forum and got into the program you want. Congrats!

Here's an article about what research has shown are the most effective medical treatments for UC: http://s3-patients.gi.org/files/2011/10/AJG-IBD-supplement-0411.pdf. I hope it is helpful for you. I can't advise on Imuran but I hope it helps get you back into remission! Nothing like a little stress to completely wreck your plan.
Posted 12/7/2011 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
hey rookstar, you don't have to let the medicine dictate if you will gain weight or not. when i was on prednisone, my appetite was still pretty small. i was eating close to 1000 calories a day but that was more than the 200 i was eating. i noticed the thing that helped me eat the most was anti-vomitting medicine. i'm 5'5" and i was 92 lbs when i was in the hospital so any weight i did gain was MUCH needed. i'm at 105 lbs now and feel so great. with that said though, i was 130 lbs when i was "well" in january. i don't wanna get up to that again either so i just plan on eating how i am eating now. also, the prednisone did not help my symptoms at all. i started 6mp and remicade and noticed immediately how much better i was feeling.
Posted 1/17/2012 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone, thank you for the support!

I just had my first solid BM two days ago :)

I didn't end up going on Imuran. I tried it for a week but I got sick and never went back on it. The prednisone didn't work for me so I tapered off of it.

I can only thank the Asacol and reduced stress since graduating and getting accepted into med school :)
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