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Just got diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/25/2015 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hello you all, im new to this so bare with me. I am 20 yrs. old, and i was just diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (Moderate). Of course i was scared out of my mind, but considering I've been in and out of the bathroom for just about a month now, finding out what it was also brought some comfort. I bleed just about 75% of the time that i use the restroom, and go to the bathroom about 20 times a day. Its the cramping prior to having to use the bathroom thats the most uncomfortable. My diet sucks, because of the limitations that are set when diagnosed, but any help on decreases my flares would be appreciated. Any idea on how long this is going to last? HELP!!!
Posted 9/25/2015 10:52 AM (GMT 0)
Do some reading here using the "search" box.

It is helpful for you to write a "Profile" (find it on this page on the bar above posts next to Log Off) that shows up as your signature every time you post. Most people include: their current diagnosis, current RX meds they take, age and how long since being diagnosed.

Then update it when things change. This way when we read you posts we can reply without asking the same questions again and again.

So I'll ask now: what Rx meds are you taking and what diet limitations do you have?
No one can answer how long your flare will last, not even your doctor.

Welcome to the board.
Posted 9/25/2015 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
It does stink to have uc and I remember all to well when I was first diagnosed. While nobody can predict how long each flare will last, just know that many people find treatments that work or them. Listen to your doctors and be honest with them about your progress. When you post on here, be specific on you meds, diagnosis, diet, symptoms. That will help others offer advice.
Best of luck and hang in there!
Posted 9/25/2015 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the club! Those first few weeks can be so terrifying, the best thing to do is read as much as you can and come up with questions for your doctor whenever you see him/her. You will see that some people respond to meds quickly and get on with their lives while others take years to get better. It isn't an easy disease, but the folks here are wonderful and we will answer your questions as best we can.
Hang in there!
Posted 9/25/2015 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum but I'm sorry you had to join.

I too am 20 and was diagnosed pretty recently. It's really tough but it will get better in the beginning ( I know you don't want to hear that now)

I cannot advise you on medication or diet as I don't know what your regimen is.
But I advise you to become well educated about UC so that you can make informed decisions regarding your health.
There is some good information at the top of the forum.
Take a look
Good luck
Posted 9/25/2015 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
While flaring eat low residue. You can also try eliminating gluten and dairy because some people get sensitive to these when their gut microbes get messed with from UC.

How long this lasts depends on how well you respond to meds, and which you are prescribed. If you respond well to mesalamines (about 40% do) you might be well controlled in a couple weeks and have remission in just over a month. -- BUT if you do not respond, remission could wait on the next drug, or you could go for years w/o and relief. It is very open ended. However, most people respond to one of the drugs, even if it takes a biologic like Remicade.
Posted 9/25/2015 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome. What is your diet like? Because quite honestly food does not cause UC flare ups and so cutting out lots of foods that may actually be helpful to you isn't always a good idea. I mention this because it is a common mistake. I do believe that UC is hard enough as it is without making things even harder for yourself, by stopping the foods that you love. That being said, sometimes you might come across something, for example, Dairy (a common allergen)that your body clearly dislikes, and then of course you need to avoid that, but cutting out lots of foods is not a great idea, in my honest opinion.
Posted 9/25/2015 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Because quite honestly food does not cause UC flare ups and so cutting out lots of foods that may actually be helpful to you isn't always a good idea.

Sorry but I do not agree with this statement because the wrong food definitely puts my gut in a slide toward flaring, no question. I would have no problem with this statement if it were prefaced with "in my opinion".
Posted 9/25/2015 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Food does not cause flared but may trigger them.
Some foods may irritate you and I think that's what the above posters were referring too
There are some people who restrict their diet so much because they think it will help and then end up malnourished and not in better shape
Obviously there are things that can irritate a flare in many people ( like popcorn) but it won't actually make inflammation worse
It may cause more bowel movements or pain
Posted 9/25/2015 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
What medications were you prescribed and what dosages? It's important that you have the right treatment to put your ulcerative colitis into remission (that is an absence of uc symptoms). If you are still bleeding and pooping 20 times a day, then you aren't. I'd contact your GI-specialist doctor and let him/her know about your current symptoms. As your medications clearly aren't sufficient to give you a good quality of life with this chronic illness.

It's a bit of a head-trip when you're first diagnosed. Nearly all of us were 100% healthy and young (20's or so) when diagnosed. Now, medications and doctors are a regular part of our lives.

My uc is currently in remission, I poop once a day without urgency. Many of us live normal lives, the key is finding the right combination of treatments to keep your uc under control. Ask any questions you want, we're here to help, and we get it as we all suffer the same symptoms and difficulties as you do!
Posted 9/25/2015 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Im on 2 Lialda supplements a day. It does absolutely NOTHING. My diet is kind of weak to be honest. I usually eat 1-2 meals a day, and its usually some type of red meat, or chicken. Ive done much research on my condition and pretty much understand it all at this point. I just wanted some insight from others who are experiencing the same thing. This flare has been going for a full month now, and its just frustrating. Also (now that i know what i have, and sort of how long I've had it) these flare ups ONLY start if i consume a large amount of alcohol. I used to go to the doctor after a long night of partying/drinking because of pains like this, and i though it was just something small. First time it happened, it was only for a week. Second time was for a few weeks. & this time has been for just about a month, ALL flared by alcohol/wine.
Posted 9/25/2015 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Up your lialda to four a day
The max dose is 4.8 grams
I would also add rectal medications as those help heal the inflammation in your rectum which is usually the most stubborn.
I question the competence of a GI who prescribed just two lialda for someone going 20 plus times a day
It might be a good idea to take a short course of prednisone ( it's a horrible drug) to help bring the inflammation down while the lialda works
Avoid all NSAIDs ( ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin...)
Tylenol is ok
Alternating hot and cold packs does wonders for the pain
Posted 9/25/2015 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Alcohol is hard on the colon to begin with let alone on an IBDer or even IBSer. Sadly, due to the nature of IBD, avoiding alcohol all together won't reverse a flare, but you'll likely be better off to avoid it in the future when you're in remission of course it's up to you to see if you can handle it while in remission, sad thing is everything becomes trial and error, just like the replies above you can see that even diet varies for each person's affect on their IBD. Is 2 Lialda all you're on? No rectal meds? I think you're probably under-medicated.
Posted 9/25/2015 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Well I'd avoid the alcohol and wine then. It aggregates the symptoms of some with uc and they avoid it like the plague.

Lialda's max dose is 4 pills a day, and you should take an anti-inflammatory enema daily like rowasa (same active ingredient as lialda). Combo therapy is ofyen the most successful with uc patients. Try that (ask gastrointestinal doctor for prescription) and if it doesn't work then prednisone might be necessary to tame it.
Posted 9/25/2015 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah i think he only recommended 2 of them because i was JUST diagnosed a few days ago, and my next appointment is on the 8th of October. Maybe he wanted test the waters and see how the medications would effect me in the meantime. & yeah i have NO problem staying away from alcohol in general. Would you all mind giving me some tips on foods i CAN eat. I see so much these days on what to avoid, but not much on what i can actually consume. meal plans?
Posted 9/25/2015 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Food is a tough one, not everyone feels they are affected by food and those who do seem to have differences as well...hate to say it but it's more of a trial and error thing. You could search the various types of diets that people have tried and do use for their IBD, SCD, Paleo diet, Low Residue....

Here's a link, I'm assuming you're in the states so it's for the CCFA I'm in Canada but the CCFC pretty much has the same type of info.


https://www.ibdetermined.org/ibd-information/ibd-diet.aspx
Posted 9/25/2015 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I find salmon is really easy on my gut as well as chicken soup ( make homemade because store purchases are often from mixes)
If gluten doesn't bother you than white rice and white pasta and white bread
Also baked potatoes without the skin
Cheddar cheese didn't bother me so I would put that on my pasta and potato or eat plain
Some do ok with applesauce
But it's trial and error
I know it's hard to figure out what does or doesn't work
Posted 9/25/2015 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Google low residue diet. The key to easing symptoms in a flare is avoiding fiber and any personal triggers. For some it's dairy others gluten, for me it's spice. Eating low residue won't stop a flare but you may see less blood and fewer trips.
Good options:
Chicken roasted or baked not grilled. You want as much moisture as possible
White Pasta with olive oil and Parmesan cheese
Eggs, crispy bacon, white toast
Mashed potatoes
Avoid red meat--except ground beef baked ( mest loaf, baked hamburgers)
White breads, smooth peanut butter.
Unfortunately anything considered healthy is out while in a flare. I miss veggies but I pay if I eat them.
Do you cook or rely on convenience food? I'll give you some ideas and tips based on that.

Also, be patient. I'm coming off an 11 week flare. The meds take some time to work. But when you see small changes you know you're heading in the right direction. I'm finally down to 2-3 bm a day from 14-16 and improving every day.
Posted 9/26/2015 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Boy do I hear ya! This stuff is no fun, and I remember the lost feeling I had when I was first diagnosed. This forum is amazing though. There are so many brutally honest people on here, and if you're like me, that is usually more helpful than smarty-pants GI Drs who have never actually FELT the disease for themselves. Don't get me wrong- I've felt like hugging my Dr when he finally prescribes a drug that eases my symptoms or, better yet, puts me in remission, BUT sometimes it's just nice to hear the testimonies of folks who have lived with this disease. It really is a valuable resource, and I hope you find some comfort, if not some answers. Hang in there.
Posted 9/26/2015 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
yes, the brutal answers are making me the most comfortable. I think im def. going to try out the salmon. I also hear mashed potatoes are a plus. But i understand the whole trial & error concept. My body is a bit odd when it comes to food. I just want this flare up to end. A month of bathroom breaks every 10 minutes is NO fun. The funny part is, when i don't eat, i feel fine. i really do want to thank you all for all of the feedback. Its truly appreciated.
Posted 9/26/2015 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Just as previously posted, diet is individual when flaring. It's pointless for me to eat when flaring because everything including water triggers intense cramping and then goes right through me. Try to stay hydrated...it's more important than eating.
Posted 9/26/2015 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry you found yourself here. Here's what I can eat well when flaring:

Pasta w butter and parm (I use gluten free, barilla brand is awesome)
Baked or any kind of potato
Rice (cooked in broth with onion). Freaking great!
Canned fruit no sugar
Canned or cooked only veggies
No beef
Chicken and fish is great
Just cooked everything
No peels, no nuts, no popcorn, no fun!

Good luck
Posted 9/27/2015 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
I've tried to think of other advice than what you've been given, but I think the others have pretty well covered the bases. I was fortunate that I was diagnosed late in life...70ish, but went thru a lot before I got how this illness can be different day to day and food to food. Recently, I've had to take fried foods off my list...and it's been a long time since I've had lettuce...not willing to risk it. One thing I can offer is find your sense of humor about this...sometimes that may be all you've got. I learned the motto you'll come to live by: "You'll never again think, 'It's just gas'! Good luck and welcome to the club...sorry.
Posted 9/28/2015 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
Miss Prim: another way I have heard it stated here is "never trust a fart!"
Posted 10/4/2015 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Okay so could someone provide me with a diet/meal plan that has successfully worked for them. Going on my second month in a flare, and my goal i to get rid of it, and maintain a "healthy" diet once in remission. The internet is full of different stories when it comes to what works and what doesn't. So far chicken broth works fine, and of course in the liquid field, i drink water and almond milk. Other then salmon, i have no idea what else to eat. HELLP.
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