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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/15/2014 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi.Im a 35 yr old male.Ill try to keep this short.Any help would be soo great.about a year ago i started having yellow watery diarrhea,heartburn,gas.since then i have had a colonoscopy with biopsys.I have no cancer and doc said minor UC(not that bad).I have also had every blood test possible 3 times(all perfect).I also had an ultrasound on liver, galbladder,(perfect)stool test(perfect)ct scan on abdomen/pelvic(perfect).My doc told me it could be Gerd/IBS/UC.Im going soon to see a G.I...Im just hoping that somebody here can shed some light on this..I think im going to die.I have 3 wonderful boys that need me.Please Help.my anxiety is through the roof.I cant eat or sleep right.God Bless
Posted 3/15/2014 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Has your doctor given you any meds in all this time? What have you tried?
Posted 3/15/2014 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Ok you were told after your colonoscopy that you have UC. Were you not given any meds at that time? Did you have an endoscopy done also? Have you tried taking an over the counter med like prilosec for the heartburn?

By the way, you are not going to die. You do need to get into a GI asap.
Posted 3/15/2014 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
As Sherbear46 said, you're not going to die - try not to worry, and get some sleep!

I'm also surprised one Dr has told you after the colonoscopy that you have UC, and not given you medication, then your Dr has said UC, gerd or IBS. Did your Dr have access to the biopsy results when he said UC / gerd / IBS?

Hopefully the GI will tell you if it's UC or not, and start you on UC medication if it is (usually mesalazine based medication and possibly steroids to start with).
Posted 3/15/2014 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your replys.My dr gave me asacol but it does nothing but make me constipated and when i can go it is still yellow d.ive never had blood in my stool just yellow.its been a year now and i have never had yellow skin or eyes and all my tests come back normal.i have to wait for the referral to the g.i....i wish i could call and make the appt. myself...its just thinking im going to die that is making the wait soo hard.i cry at night when my boys arent looking..im just praying its something that isnt fatal..Its just me here so i really am very greatful to know there is somebody out there replying to my post..go bless
Posted 3/15/2014 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to disappoint you but you're not going to die even if you have gerd, ibs, and UC altogether. If the colonoscopy said you have UC then you've got UC for sure the others may be ifs. Once diagnosed with UC they should have given you some kind of meds right away.
Posted 3/15/2014 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there, and start reading on this site. You will find out all kinds of things to ask your doctor when you get there. Yellow stool, huh, did they rule out gallbladder? Could be just bile. Sounds like you may need support emotionally too, don't be afraid to reach out to professionals on that issue. I am not familiar with 5asa's causing constipation,usually not a problem around here. Keep a food diary and a poop journal for your visit, it might make diagnosis easier. Try to get your hands on the pathology report from the colonoscopy to see where your inflammation is an how it is described. It will get better!!
Posted 3/15/2014 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering what "fatal illness" you are worried about. Sometimes it helps to "frame" what you are anxious about.

- Colon cancer? You've had a colonoscopy, and there's no blood in your stool. Also colon cancer is generally slow growing so there would be plenty of time for the GI to pick up on it a year later. I think you can pretty much relax that a) you don't have colon cancer and b) in the very unlikely event that you did it would be picked up very early and be highly treatable.

- Diarrhoea? Keep yourself hydrated with water and electrolytes (rehydration salts, coconut water etc) and you'll be fine.

Are you maintaining your weight?

Hopefully the GI will be able to put your mind at rest soon.

Post Edited (UCyousee) : 3/15/2014 4:10:50 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/15/2014 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you think that the yellow in your diarrhea is related to jaundice from liver disease (yellow skin or eyes). They are completely unrelated. Diarrhea turns yellow because your digestion is working too fast for the yellow digestive enzymes (bile) to be reabsorbed the way they normally would be. The yellow just means that you are having a lot of diarrhea and perhaps inflammation in a certain part of your intestines. It does not mean anything else.
Posted 3/16/2014 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
A better medication for you would be rectal mesalamine (assuming your "mild" UC is limited to the rectum and sigmoid colon). The oral meds like Asacol do not treat this part of the colon very effectively.
Posted 3/16/2014 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I would start by simplifying your diet and avoiding anything that could further irritate your condition. The colon is easy to irritate and slow to heal. Keep your foods soft, avoid dairy, and avoid anything that would make you gassy (onions, beans, cabbage). The best first step is to eliminate from your diet whatever may be causing your ailment. Simplify your diet.
Posted 3/16/2014 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
make sure they said mile UC and not mild colitis. it does make a difference. anyway asacol is reasonable. yellow is not big problem. if you do have IBS, anxiety may make it worse.

mostly food elimination is about managing symptoms (if it is UC) not about "whatever may be CAUSING your aliment" - the distinction matters.

deep breath. good luck.
Posted 3/16/2014 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi danny814-
Welcome to the forum. You'll find a lot of info and support here.
First, you seem to have had a lot of tests that have positive results. Nothing that indicates a life-threatening situation. So relax, please.

It's hard waiting to see a specialist. In the meantime, you could be proactive and try taking a probiotic. Also avoid foods that produce the symptoms you mention. Make a note of those that cause the big D, etc. and cut them from your diet.

Many of us have problems with dairy, excessive sugar, gluten (wheat), gas-producing foods (broccoli, soft drinks) and processed foods. Not the same for everyone.

One very encouraging sign is that you don't mention rectal bleeding. Now that's scary! Count your blessings.

The "UC Resources" thread contains lots of info about meds and alternatives. Wouldn't hurt to familiarize yourself with that. Will better prepare you to ask questions during your visit with the GI.
You can also search for terms under the "Join HealingWell" tab in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Best wishes!
IAS :-)
Posted 3/16/2014 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Asacol is a horrible suggestion. Mesathalamine is the biggest scam perpetrated on people suffering from UC.
Posted 3/17/2014 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Mesalamine drugs are the 1st line of medication for those newly diagnosed woth UC.

Not a scam. Literally the medical first line drugs taken atleast once by 99% or everyone on this forum.

.....
Posted 3/17/2014 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
I know its first in line...which is why I call it the biggest scam. Most of you are still suffering too. UC is caused by either a chemical imbalance and/or an autoimmune reaction. The solution is not to assuage it with questionable drugs, but to adjust your bodys chemistry through diet. You can either be UC free by avoiding foods your body doesnt like, or spend more money on drugs that barely work to lesson your suffering for the rest of your life.

I talk from experience as someone who has been through a lot of flareups and hospitalized several times. I have done a ton of research and tried many ideas. I have completely figured out the solution to my UC. The solution is not doctors and drug companies with dollar signs in their eyes...the solution is the human will and determanation to understand his or her own body to derive the variables in their lifestyle that are causing their ailment.

Post Edited (d1jsp) : 3/16/2014 6:12:03 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/17/2014 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Just remember, that is your opinion.
And all opinions are welcome, but I dont like seeing opinions pushed on new posters/newly diagnosed as "fact"

Half of people diagnosed with UC are able to achieve remission with Mesalamines.

The unlucky folk here are usually people who have not gotten relief from the 1st line drugs. But that does not make us the majority... at all.

No one knows what causes UC. And there is no cure.

Diet modification does NOT work for everyone. So stating that it is the only way to achieve remission is again... an opinion stated as a fact.
With UC, diet modification without meds, has very low statistics of putting people in remission. Diet modification is very helpful in conjunction with medications, for most UC sufferers. Heck, there are people in remission and eating McDonalds and Burger King for every meal... and still in full remissionď

Those lucky b@$tards...
Posted 3/17/2014 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I agree It is my opinion. Which I came to through lots of trial and error. I just hope I can help some people on here. It does break my heart when people give up and settle with drugs that, although may assuage symptoms, dont solve the problem and cost a lot of money. I disagree there is no cure. ..the cure is just not a one-solution for all...the cure is to arrive at your own cure through trial and error.
Posted 3/17/2014 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Going dairy free is def a great idea. Continue to share your success and your trials! The more information everyone has, the better :)
Posted 3/22/2014 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
I've posted this information a few times on this site. Hopefully, it will help someone. I was diagnosed with UC at age 16 (I'm 63 now). I suffered a lot with the usual UC symptoms. I had a complete colectomy at age 36. The procedure I opted for was a Kock Pouch (the predecessor to the J-Pouch). Still doing well. The main medication used at that time was Prednisone--awful stuff.

Interestingly, the only period of remission I had with the disease was a seven year period in my 20s when I smoked marijuana. I was not a heavy user--usually used a little in the evenings 3-4 days a week. I was completely symptom free and slept incredibly well. When I returned to college to get my Ph.D., I stopped using marijuana. All my symptoms immediately returned. I was pretty miserable the next four years. Thankfully, the surgery worked well. Occasionally, I do get an inflammation in the pouch. Often a little marijuana will reduce the time on antibiotics. I do encourage people to try marijuana...it sure worked for me.
Posted 3/23/2014 12:44 AM (GMT 0)

d1jsp said...
Asacol is a horrible suggestion. Mesathalamine is the biggest scam perpetrated on people suffering from UC.

Huh? Scam? Where did that come from? All those who have worked tirelessly with diet mods and food journals, all to no avail, but get relief with mesalamines, are they too being "scammed?" I think not.
Posted 3/23/2014 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
d1jsp....

You need to tone it down a bit, medicines have saved many more lives than you can ever imagine here. While some can control their disease with little or no pharmacological substances, a majority cannot.

I agree that your mind and diet can control a LOT of what your stomach does, but barreling in here like a bull in a china shop spewing forth that "Asacol is a horrible suggestion" (many NON-pharmacy company studies have PROVEN that it cuts cancer by 89% over years) and "caused by either a chemical imbalance" (what the hell?) or "You can either be UC free by avoiding foods your body doesn't like" (god knows where that came from considering UC will continue to flare even on liquid diets) is just plain uninformed, period.

While we all are considerate to others opinions, spewing forth complete falsehoods tends to alienate everyone and propagate incorrect information to newer people here that will damage their knowledge and outlook of the disease, possibly harming them even further. Responsibility is the key here.

Sometimes meds are not always the answer, but telling them things are the "biggest scam perpetrated on people suffering from UC" is down right irresponsible, especially when that fact is 100% wrong. Just because it didn't work for you, does not mean it isn't right for others.
Posted 3/23/2014 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
Yellow stool?? Sounds like digestion to me.. I get that when something upsets my reflux..
Posted 3/23/2014 11:03 AM (GMT 0)

DBwithUC said...
make sure they said mile UC and not mild colitis. it does make a difference. anyway asacol is reasonable. yellow is not big problem. if you do have IBS, anxiety may make it worse.

mostly food elimination is about managing symptoms (if it is UC) not about "whatever may be CAUSING your aliment" - the distinction matters.

deep breath. good luck.[/quote
What is the difference? I was diagnosed with mild proctitis, do I have UC?

Posted 3/23/2014 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
Apparently we have a better life expectancy than the general population
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