HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Hey there, Malkavian ...

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/14/2013 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
It's great to see you back here replying to posts! We've missed you & need an update ... / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/14/2013 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!

I've been pretty busy with grad school-I'm planning to submit my dissertation proposal soon so I've been working on that. I also went to a big conference in my field last month, IN HAWAII which was fantastic. I really wish I could move there, it's so pretty.

Healthwise, the UC is still in remission and I'm still doing fine on azathioprine. My allergies have been kicking my butt though, so I'm trying to set up an appointment for testing/allergy shots.

Hubby and cats are doing well too, though dudecat gave us a scare with a bacterial infection last month. He's back to normal after an antibiotic course, though, which is good.
Posted 6/15/2013 5:56 AM (GMT 0)
Wow! So glad your UC is cooperating with grad school! Exciting, too, that you're approaching dissertation phase. I thought of you last month when I got invited to a lecture by 1 of the U.S. gastros doing research on FMT for treatment of C.diff & UC with Fed's blessing. It really was interesting! Remember you promised to let us know if you attend any IBD-related conferences, etc. Terrific news about Hawaii!!!!! / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

Post Edited (Old Hat) : 6/15/2013 12:01:16 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/17/2013 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
The conference I attended was general immunology and not IBD specific, though I attended a few talks geared toward mucosal immunology. Most of the people who spoke were doing basic rather than applied science: they're seeing how stuff works first, and trying to figure out how to fix it later. I did get to go to a series of talks about developing new pharmaceuticals though, which was interesting. One of the speakers in that series talked about development of new monoclonal antibodies to treat AI diseases, and how we really need more info on the basic science side of things so we can figure out new therapeutic targets. There is one mab treatment coming out for psoriasis, unfortunately it ended up worsening Crohn's Disease.

I've also been submitting some grants on a potential gene therapy my lab is working on-still in its very early stages so I wouldn't expect to see it on the market for years yet, but it's really interesting. I can't talk about it much, though, because it's not been published.
Posted 6/18/2013 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
That is a weird association, Serenity-- because Malkavian is 1 of the most outstanding members of this forum in terms of perseverence fighting UC & advancing her career goals in biological science. Her story knocks my socks off!!!!! / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/18/2013 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Oh dear.... it wasn't meant as an insult by any means! "Hey there Malkavian" makes me think of "Hey there Georgy Girl"... those are lyrics to that song. Do you not know that song?? We had to learn it in band, many moons ago, I guess that's why it is burned into my brain.
Posted 6/18/2013 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
I've never heard it before, for sure.
Posted 6/18/2013 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
WELCOME BACK MALKAVIAN! happy to hear all is going well for you. Your work sounds very exciting...interesting about the psoriasis treatment related to worsening CD...

q
Posted 6/18/2013 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my apologies, Malkavian. No insult or slight of any kind was intended but I think that is somehow what happened. I shall delete that post.
Posted 6/18/2013 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Serenity-I was just really confused, tis all.

quincy-Yeah, it's really funny because the immunological target for the drug is supposed to be one of the really pathogenic cytokines in IBD, but new data seems to be indicating this might not be the case.
Posted 6/18/2013 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
RE "needing more info on the basic science side", my gastro replied that THAT is the problem when I asked why docs can't figure out better treatment for chronic sinus infections than repeat ABX, considering that it propels many sufferers into UC. Good luck getting better attention to your allergies! Can you use antihistamines or are they too dehydrating? / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/19/2013 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Old Hat, I'm already on antihistimines daily, a mast cell blocker, and nasal corticosteriods and I'm still symptomatic. I'm hoping to get a test and then shots, but the soonest I can get an appointment is end of July.

I know I had lots of sinus infections and strep as a kid, but I mainly attribute that to my mom's smoking. I stopped getting them once I moved out.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply