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What is considered remission?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/23/2013 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
What exactly is considered "remission?" Does the urgency, pain and diarrhea ever go away completely? Or do I need to just get used to it? I'm thankful my symptoms are less severe than when I was in a full blown flare (bleeding, diarrhea, pain, urgency, vomitting, fever, etc.) but I still feel like I can't lead a normal life. It's frustrating. I know everyone is different though. Just wondering if complete remission is possible?
Posted 11/23/2013 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
if you get a colonoscopy, and it looks good, then you are in remission. you can't really go by symptoms.

i agree though. my gut has never been the same since being diagnosed. it's always some symptom or another but i've had digestive issues since birth.
Posted 11/23/2013 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
I've never had a colonoscopy to tell me I was in remission, I would generally get one if I was having problems and then be on new meds and once I felt normal again that was considered remission. For me about a year ago "normal" would be having 1 good solid a day, no running, no blood, no worries...ah the good ol days!!
Posted 11/23/2013 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
You should be symptom free ie: no urgency, blood, pain or diarrhea. Definately no blood or diarrhea. And your colonoscopy would show no inflammation in your colon. Also normal bloodwork (normal SED rate which shows if there is inflammation in your body).
Posted 11/23/2013 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
I don't give a hoot what tests and colonoscopies say. If you are having symptoms you are not normal and you are not in remission. In my book it's a bunch of BS if tests show you are in "clinical" remission but now they say you have IBS or some crap like that. Bottom line, if you aren't 100% normal then you are not in remission. Some people do obtain complete remission, but many times it can only last a few months or a few years and then you are battling it again. That's why it is very important to always continue battling it, even when in remission.
Posted 11/23/2013 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had to have a c-scope to determine a remission, my symptoms definitely state that I'm either improving/have no symptoms/etc or if I'm flaring.

I think remission certainly can vary from person to person...plus, one can have food symptoms/IBS without any inflammation...different issue. Determining that can be a challenge, however.

q
Posted 11/23/2013 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
turn  the dastardly they - watch out !

it's all a state of mind!

Posted 11/23/2013 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys! I really appreciate all of your replies. I guess I'm not in remission yet but on my way. Haven't had a scope since I was in the hospital last but doc said he will want another one eventually. I guess I will just keep on keeping on and hope for the best! Hooah!
Posted 11/23/2013 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
"In my book it's a bunch of BS if tests show you are in "clinical" remission but now they say you have IBS or some crap like that."

Gary, that's not necessarily true. I am in a great remission from my Uc and at first I thought it was hogwash when my GI told me I had IBS in the past - I thought it was just my Uc waiting to rear it's ugly head again. But now I see that someone can have both an IBD and IBS. I am in a true clinical remission and I am doing really well. Except when I eat certain things which tends to make me think that some of my issues are IBS related since IBS is mostly food driven. Once the offending food leaves, I'm right as rain again.

Kentucky, I am in a great remission and like I said above. I am doing really well. I still have D to some extent but I've had Uc for a long time, not to mention that I have IBS and diverticular disease. But I base remission on my symptoms and how I feel. I have zero pain (except the occasional cramping from my other gut issues - not UC), no blood at all, my energy is better and my thoughts don't revolve on where the nearest bathroom is, so no urgency.
Posted 11/23/2013 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Kentuckygal88 I can only speak for myself but there is absolutely a state of remission that is 100% symptom free. It is almost like not even have UC at all and you will be able to live a normal symptom free life. I only pray I can achieve that again.. Best wishes to you, don't ever lose hope resist the down feelings that can stress you out and make it worse.
Posted 11/24/2013 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
so mom, what was it that you did to achieve remission ?
Posted 11/24/2013 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
My husband is in complete remission for the first time in 20 years. 1-2 Bm's a day. No pain, no blood, no urgency. Seems completely "normal".
He was very ill for years and almost died from his last hospitalized flare in 2011.

Nicotine patch 14 mg helped him, but I am aware it does not help everyone.
Posted 11/24/2013 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
remisson is not having to run to the bathroom to take a dump, or crapping in your pants….plain and simple
Posted 11/24/2013 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
Symptomatic remission: No symptoms of UC (does not mean that you're not on medication, just that you have no symptoms). You can have no symptoms, but still have active UC.

Clinical remission: Scope shows no active disease.

We're not going to do a scope for a while because whatever, but I'm currently in remission with zero symptoms. It is absolutely possible; this is my third time getting into remission after a horrible UC flare. If you don't continue to improve on Humira, Remicade is an option. Additionally, I used hydrocortisone enemas to push me all the way into remission when Remicade + 6MP couldn't do it alone.
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