When did you first get UC? Stressful event?

Sorry, I'm sure this has been touched upon already. I was wondering how many of you got your first symptoms of UC after a stressful event. I first had my weird symptoms of D after my dad passed away in college, then it vanished in a month and didn't come back for 8 years. I wasn't on any meds during this time either. 8 years later, my job was on the line and I started to stress about that and boom! Another flare. This is when I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with UC in 2009. After my job was more secure and I started taking meds, my symptoms went away and I was in remission for 3 years. Then this past January, I was stressing about some hemorrhoids that wouldn't go away and I feel like my symptoms are totally hiding in the weeds waiting to come back since I can't beat this stubborn hemorrhoid issue.

My mother also said she "used to have UC" 50 years ago when she was in college. She said it was stress from being in school and she never has taking any meds for it, it just went away and she's been in remission for 50 years.

I started having UC symptoms shortly after the birth of my second child and then dx'ed about a year after the symptoms showed up. My 1st child was only 6 months old when I found out I was pregnant again. So my boys are only 14 months apart. I would say that was a pretty stressful time for me. I had a bit of postpartum depression thrown in there too.

I was having some major stress at the time and wound up in the hospital for what was later dignosed as Mono. While in the hospital they didn't know what was wrong and put me on broad spectrum antibiotics along with high dose Ibuprofin. It was like a one, two, three punch. My UC started while I was in the hospital. At the time the doctors just chalked it up to the antibiotics but it continued even after the antibiotics were finished. Diagnosed with UC shortly afterward.

I was quite sick with some gastro thingie, lost 17 pounds and over the next 3 years I was trying to figure out what the problem was (no help from my doctor) until the bleeding hit.

I was also diagnosed with asthma (genetic) 7 years prior and on meds, sick many times with chest colds/flu and not treated with antibiotics, extreme back and neck issues, and had sensitivities, allergies and wanted to live in a bubble.

Once I was sent to a GI and switched doctors for asthma...I was on the road to recovery.

So, stressful situation? my body was in full tilt mode for almost 10 years.....plus my doc at that time never stool tested for the initial gastro assault. I think that would have been helpful.

I want to also add that in the early 80s, the "green grass" fad was in full force...lots of lawn dressings/poisons/fertilisers...I react quickly to them, but I think that might have been part of my body crashing. 

q

Yes, our minds are powerful things...but I don't think we can control disease as you're putting it.  For those of us who are anxiety/depression/stressed prone...it would be almost impossible to require of ourselves to be able to control a disease.

Is it  possible you're not able to differentiate stressful body symptoms with flare symptoms? Sometimes our bodies can be in extreme states with "symptoms", but we don't flare.  
I should be flaring all the time..lol..but I 'm not.
But if extreme crisis hit...I'm sure I would be in a more susceptible state if I'm not using my meds.

You might also misunderstand "normal" people's dealings or control with stress...many don't show it, but pay a high price in other ways...sooner or later. Maybe they have a different way or organising or compartmentalising things. We're not privy to their entire lives regarding that.

I was in therapy for many years and my psychologist didn't believe I had depression. It's my constant companion, like a best friend I can joke with...but what I present to others isn't my depressed state. Anxious yes...even confident...never depressed.
But, he ws sick for a year and a half and I didn't continue therapy....and the depression came after a crisis in my life...when he returned, he saw it. By then, I was on Effexor, but at least I was able to function.

There are many ways we can help ourselves regarding stress...different classes of mindfulness, relaxation, meditation, therapy, tons of books, tons of things that can help get you onto a track of feeling at least in control. That may ultimately help with your stress and UC.

But...being in college, university or anything that has a high requirement of oneself...I doubt there is anyone who doesn't have any stress.
Add family life/relationships/friends/death of a parent or loved one .etc...everything in the game changes.

Hopefully, you can find your balance.

q

Asacol, with onset triggered by a stomach virus.
I actually would improve when I was under stress, my body rose to the occasion!

Yes, my Mom was dying from colon cancer when I was diagnosed. It spiraled out-of-control in the two short months between her diagnosis and death. I told her about it while she was in the hospital and I got a similar story to yours....she had UC symptoms over 30 years ago and the GI doctor couldn't find anything wrong with her. She gave herself a talk to lower her stress level and cut down on caffeine and sugar. Claims it never come back.

Stress is my cause and is my trigger. Specifically stress involving entertaining large groups and my wife being upset prior to the event.

The first time was before departing for my destination wedding (flare for 30 days) and the second time this past month right after entertaining 50+ people for our housewarming party.

I know my trigger (singular!) and I won't be entertaining groups of more than 6 ...ever! Also, forgetting Asacol doesn't help!

Current: Asacol 2 tablets X 800mg X 2 times per day, VSL#3 2x per day

Hey I'm 23 yo and had my first symptom while I was on holiday n Europe...I was always healthy like I am a personal trainer and I understand health and exercise but while on holiday I was eating like crazy and drinking wayyyyyy too much ...every night lol. I definetly think there was no stress at all at the time of my first symptom lol. Just thought I'd let you know I don't think stress is my cause of uc.