Fearful of the future? Colitis and cancer? How can I handle anxeity?

Sad to hear of your boyfriend's diagnosis. Your anxiety is pretty much a given.

I would advise you not imagine that it's the food that caused your flare. What medications are you on at this time?

q

It's true ulcerative colitis patients are at higher risk for colorectal cancer than the general population. However that doesn't mean we're at an extremely high risk. Let's look at those risks, 95 percent of uc patients do not get colorectal cancer, only 5 percent do. There seems to be two constants with uc colorectal cancer risk: it increases the longer you've had uc, and it is higher for patients with more extensive uc.

Years since diagnosis: If a year into ulcerative colitis, then no worries, your CRC risk is the same as the general population. The increased risk isn't significant until 10 years with uc, which is when increased screenings (colonoscopy) are ordered either annually or every other year.

Extent of uc: Ulcerative proctitis (UP) patients (uc only in the rectum) do not have a statistically worse rate of CRC than the general population. If you you have ulcerative proctosigmoiditis then you're screenings begin at 10 years and are rechecked every two years. If you have pancolitis (uc throughout the entire large intestine) then you should have screenings beginning at 8 years, and yearly colonoscopy as you're at highest risk for CRC.

Kevin Watson said...
Something really important is that you sit down and have a serious chat with your family. It's NOT acceptable for someone who can keep their symptoms at bay by controlling what they eat, to not be allowed to choose what they put into their body. Your family is literally making you flare and they need to realise that and stop it as its damaging your long term health. I know that sounds quite harsh but it's true - it's no different to telling someone with a peanut allergy they have to eat Nutella for breakfast. You don't need a flare at Christmas, bleeding from your colon is not good for anyone. Show them this comment if you need to and tell them straight.

The difficult thing the OP has to face is that many GI's do not believe food has an effect on UC so the OP probably does not have a medical professional to back up their beliefs. Many in this forum do not believe diet modification has benefits to UC, see the first response here.

RiceBunny: being 19 was one of my more anxious years and I didn't have UC. Perhaps talk to your GI and ask about RX meds for your anxiety that will not hurt your gut. Your anxiety has multiple sources that don't look like they can be disconnected (family, school, sick BF) so do what you can to limit more anxiety. See family less, ease up on hard classes, be good to yourself. Best wishes.

PS Diet mod. really helped my UC and continues to on a daily basis. It's not in my mind, it's in my gut haha.

I have it in my entire colon, I am worrisome because I got it near the end of age 17.
I'm not particularly worried of getting his cancer but colon cancer. I do try to stick up for myself but my parents believe they have to stop eating what they love because of me though that is not what I want them to do.
It is difficult to explain my predicament with them. We are all stubborn. Though lucky I work and have school most of the time so I don't usually eat anything at my house. It was just for the holidays/the time I was not on school.
My uc is mild to moderate I seem to get more solid stools than diarrhea.
However stress is terrible right now. I took time off during vacation just to sort things out. But it almost feels like a lifestyle to me to get stressed. And I notice that "to me" stress messes with my colon.

Anxiety is a tough and many people deal with it (with and without UC). Some things that may help in addition to other peoples suggestions:

- Realize you don't have control over everything within your life and that's OK. Those things are out of your hands.
- Remember that worry doesn't actually accomplish anything. Bringing this logic in your mind can help (it helps me)
- When the worry starts to mount take deep breaths and ride it out the feeling if you can. This can help take the power away from the worry.

I agree with the other posters about standing up for yourself. If you can explain it to your family through another example it may help them understand it's not disrespectful at all! Maybe something like "It's similar to a diabetic not partaking in a birthday cake. They probably want it but they know that it will cause them serious health issues if they eat it. It has nothing to do with the baker." If your parents decide they will change their diet because you _need_ to eat different food then, well, that's their decision. You can tell them they do not need to do so but they make the call what they eat just like you make the call on what you eat . Don't feel bad about their decision if it's what they decide to do.