wondering if diagnosed correctly

julie, when i was diagnosed with UC, my only symptoms were bleeding and constipation. i didn't get bad diarrhea multiple times a day until i start mesalamines. i think symptoms are different for every one and meds can either help or cause more symptoms. my first two GI doctors were the same. neither one told me that UC is a chronic disease. they both said it was no biggie and if i just took the meds, it would go away. how wrong they were...

i would still give the probiotics some time to work. what kind are you taking?

I often wonder this myself but in the end I believe my diagnosis is correct. When I look at the UC symptoms in various places I am often amazed that I don't even have one of the symptoms listed. I am on Asacol and VSL and I usually always have formed stools with no bleeding but I do have urgency and 6-10 BM's per day. Many places don't even list frequency as a symptom of UC.

prayerful, my doc put me on mesalamines for the bleeding. i was doing enemas and lialda. my first two docs never explained the condition to me and just gave me meds and told me to eat more fiber. i honestly had no idea how bad it could get. i have been to 4 more GIs and the one i'm with now just wants me to get my colon out- i'm not a fan of him either. i stopped taking 6mp a few days ago because my neuropathy is really bad. it's been going up both my legs and i'm getting worried about nerve damage. i didn't tell my doctor i stopped it because i don't think it's necessary. i'll tell my doc's nurse i stopped it at my next appointment in november. it doesn't help my UC at all anyways.

I really don't know what to make of you statement, "wonder if meds is not really the answer based on the cause for most being bacteria issues"

except for c.diff, there is very little evidence that UC is caused by infection.

there is considerable evidence that disbiosis (i.e., out of whack gut bacteria) is central to UC, but it is not clear if the autoimmune, the leaky gut, the histological changes, or the disbiosis comes first. But, they all work together to keep UC rolling.

The meds are generally targeting the inflammation or ulceration characteristic of UC. It would be great to know the initial cause, and what to target for a cure (may not be the same as the initial cause), and to have a med that directly addressed the issue.

Until these answers are known, medication (or at least supplements/diet) to manage the inflammation is the best we got. If symptoms are severe and bleeding is high, I think strong oral and rectal meds are best to get things under control. If UC is partly (or wholly) managed, then anti-inflammatory foods and supplements may be just as effective as meds for keeping things under control. I read a least one study sporting this idea.

I just don't know how you go form "bacteria" to wondering if meds are needed. Don't get it.

Yeah same here... thought for years ' they say I have colitis but I have nothing like the description" was constipated most of my life. - blood on tissue for a year before we ever even did scope- lived in denial for 3 years after diagnosis... then one day - wham - flare - with all the bells and whistles!!! no more denial.

We all hope for your sake you were misdiagnosed... but until you can figure out what other issue you may be having -you may want to follow the
treatment just in case...