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Recently diagnosed with UC, any help?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/2/2014 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm new here, but see that this is a good place to get info, and just maybe talk about some of the issues that come with UC. I am 22, not really in college, and lately my job (just a retail job) has gotten much more difficult because of my UC. I had a sigmoidoscopy done about two weeks ago, and was diagnosed then. They have me on sulfasalazine (my GI said it was cheaper, but now that I have better health insurance I may can get "better" medicine he said), which helped a little, but its still a problem. I may be moving back in with my parents soon, at least until I can get this under control.
I guess my question is what kind of jobs do people with UC tend to get? My job is a nightmare situation as I do not have a bathroom close-by, and I am outside/physical labor all the time. Working with this seems so hard, my stomach has been hurting a good bit, and I've felt tired just in general, probably from going to the bathroom so much. I may be in a "flare" I guess, I'm still not quite sure about all the terms. Any general advice would be nice. I have been quite stressed about the whole situation, which probably isn't helping. Thanks ahead of time for any helpful replies!

Post Edited (UGASC23) : 7/2/2014 5:30:22 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/3/2014 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and sorry you have had to join us! The best advice I can give you is to read as much as you can about UC, there is a resources link at the top of the page with some good info there. What was your official diagnosis? Did your doc mention taking any rectal meds, as it helps to treat both ends with this disease. Also probotics are definitely worth taking, as they help too. When your in a flare it can definitely make you tired, and working through that must be difficult, its a shame you don't have a bathroom nearby, which no doubt will add to your stress. Keeping a food diary for a month or so can help, not because food causes UC, but some foods can really aggravate your gut, so its worth knowing what that is for you, as everyone is different.
Posted 7/3/2014 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Concerning jobs you can find something here:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=3106187
Posted 7/3/2014 3:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks to both of you! Poppie that is a great idea about the food diary. I was actually going to ask about certain foods the next time I went to the doctor. And my doctor only really discussed sulfasazaline & asacol, nothing about rectal meds. And this place is great, really has helped me just by reading that there are others out there, because my family/friends have never really heard of it & sorta don't understand how it's been effecting me! Thanks again, I will be around!
Posted 7/3/2014 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
Feel free to post about your symptoms and everything going on!
let us know about your test results and what the doctor said as far as severity and how much of your colon is affected!
were pretty helpful and supportive.

How long have tou been diagnosed?

And yes I agree READ READ READ. The more you know the better you feel, I promise. Knowledge is power :)
Posted 7/3/2014 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum.
It can be very overwhelming at first.
But once you empower yourself with info, research, and supportive people, it gets better.
Good luck with the job. Do you qualify for FMLA?

As a newbie to the forum, I think it's important for you to know that you have options, which your doc probably won't tell you about. So let me share with you what's worked for me in the hopes it might help you too.

Some meds work for some and not for others.
IMO, it isn't one size fits all, and you have to find what works for you, and it may be a combination of things like diet, meds, supplements, etc...

For me, the traditional meds failed me and the mesalamines I became intolerant of.
And when the doc gave me a choice of surgery or remicade, I balked and had to find my own way.

He also told me diet has nothing to do with UC, but I found that it has a great deal to do with exacerbating its symptoms!

I found that by taking certain proactive steps, it put me in full remission.
My steps to remission included: diet modification, various supplements, probiotics, and LDN, low lose naltrexone..

If any of this interests you, there are things IMO that you can control, which will have a direct impact on your disease, the symptoms you experience and their severity.

For more info on the protocol which has put me into remission, please go to this link: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1666318 , and look at the 11th post.

I hope you feel better and let us know how we can help you.
Posted 7/3/2014 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all the information! Ember, I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago, but have to go back for more tests next week. And yes InSoFla it has been a lot to take in! I figured that diet had some effect on the symptoms at least. I am going to look into the FMLA stuff, because I had to call out of work the past couple days. I am debating whether to quit & attempt to find something that works for me, because the situation I'm in is not good with no bathroom at all nearby. Also how much more expensive is asacol, I feel as if the sulfasazaline may not be working that well. I will keep y'all updated, this place has been such a big help!
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