New diagnosis feeling lost

Totally normal. I think it takes time to wrap our heads around a chronic diagnosis such as this. Hmmm for mental health, be kind to yourself...do things you enjoy, read, warm bath, whatever you like. If you have an understanding friend...or this forum just to vent. As you feel better medically, I think your mental state will change.

I will say that if the Canasa doesn't do the trick, you can ask about mesalamine enemas as they cover more ground and are a bit stronger. (I don't know how far your inflammation extends or how severe) You could even do the Canasa in the morning and enema at night. Also many of us are helped with probiotics and fiber (start slow)

Just keep in mind, that a lot of people with UC are out living their lives and not posting here. You may be one of the many who spend a majority of time in remission and UC is just a minor nuisance here and there. We never know how our case will turn out.

Best wishes and welcome to the forum!!
B

Hi and welcome! Yes, UC can seem daunting, but you have to keep positive and remember that most people are very successful at treating this illness with the first line of medication (lialda). I hope you are feeling well soon.

I guess the one bit of wisdom I can give right now, is to stay on top of taking your maintenance medication, even if things seem 100%, these meds can help you maintain remission.

Being newly diagnosed is scary. You don't even know what may happen and that's ok. Just breathe deeply and hang in there. I cannot believe it but my first anniversary of being diagnosed is coming up. There were some good times, bad times and medium times. I had some lows in the hospital where I thought I wouldn't make it. But guess what, I'm surviving and I'm back in school and on track to graduate on time. You can do this thing!! Hang in there!

Some tips I wish I knew

1. Go to GI who specializes in IBD and practices out of an academic institution.

2. Avoid prednisone/ systemic steroids whenever possible. Question doc for alternatives if they try prescribing (st you may need them)

3. Be aggressive in treating UC

4. Diets cannot cure inflammation. They may alleviate symptoms.

5. Make sure to be well informed and be an advocate for you self.

6. Ask questions.

7.eat kit Kats (because they are delicious)

8. Surround yourself with supportive and positive people.

9. Don't let anyone convince you "it's all in your head"

10. Come here, ask questions, support others.

Yes, Kitkats are indeed delicious (although, I'm more of an m&m or reeces person though). If the occasional sweet treat is enough to pick up your mood and make you forget uc for a moment then I am all for it. Uc robs us of so much as it is, and therefore the occasional guilty indulgence shouldn't be shunned. Afterall, we're only human, therefore falable and there's absolutely no way everyone can avoid junk food for the rest of their life, it's a little bit much (just eat junk in moderation). It's an amiable goal as a generalization to eat healthy, especially after getting a chronic illness but be realistic

But I digress, here's some tips:

Get yourself a hot water bottle or heat retaining pad. They're absolute bliss, when placed on your sore abdomen.

Uc treatment involves a lot of trial and error in the initial treatment process. Be in direct contact with your gastroenterologist and tell him/her about your progress or lack there of. It's not uncommon to need to adjust medications or dosages to get the best quality of life.

You're on only 2 lialda a day, ask about a dose increase of four, the maximum dosage. It'll work faster and has better odds of tackling a uc flare.

Many of us waited a while to seek treatment, myself included. I think it's common.

Ask us anything, nothing's too embarrassing. And if you're frustrated and need to vent, then do it. We all do.

Cheers and welcome!

I think Dikid covered it all very well in one post.

One point where I would disagree somewhat with Dikid is that while many here have sworn off steroids (very understandably) in my case they were a good way to get into remission while maintenance meds then kept me in remission. They aren't pleasant and aren't a good long term or regular repeat option, but if you can tolerate the side effects I think there's a place for them if used sparingly.

I will add that once you've gotten into remission and feel more like yourself, you'll be able to take stock of what the longer term impact of this disease will be one you. It varies enormously in severity and many people end up with a manageable level of illness.

Post Edited (FSLondon) : 4/5/2016 5:58:12 AM (GMT-6)

Hello everybody,

I'm also newly diagnosed, just diagnosed last Friday with UC. I had symptoms on and off for 2 months prior to my colonoscopy.

I'm on a low residue diet. The advice given here is great, especially from dikid.

Positive mentality is a must. It's been really tough for me, the symptoms a week before our daughter was born. Then the 2 weeks prior to the colonoscopy was all downhill. I lost a lot of weight, I had no energy, or strength. I couldn't even tend to our daughter. My wife had to do everything. Through it all, I tried to remain positive. There were times when I broke down, and it helped to just let all my feelings out.

Having support from family and friends helps.

Keeping a food journal, in my eyes, is a must.

Get well soon.

When we're newly diagnosed, we have to go through a grieving process for our healthy selves who we have lost. Eventually we can be healthy again, but our definition of health and our view of live will be forever changed a bit or a lot. After 15 years I still have UC, I even have occasional mild symptoms, I have to take a lot of medication, there are a few things I can't eat. But I consider myself healthy now.

For most of us the first big hurdle is getting past the denial. We're all Cleopatra, thinking we will be that lucky one our sister's friend's cousin's husband heard about: the UC went away after a few weeks and never came back. Like most urban legends, that person really doesn't exist and never did. So take the time you need; I think denial is a survival mechanism our psyche's use to protect them from having to deal with harsh reality before they'e prepared.

The tiredness is a normal part of UC. You will learn to budget your energy carefully and use it for the things that are really important. It took me a long time to realize that an extra week's worth of dust on my furniture really wasn't going to kill anyone. (Then I learned that someone else could take it off just as well as I, if I paid them for it.) Rest a lot, sleep when you're sleepy (naps are not sinful), let others help you.

A final word of advice: don't believe everything you read here. In fact, don't completely believe anything you read here or on other forums. Everything we post is filtered through our own individual experience, and we are all different.

Baby yourself and hope you feel better soon.

You may find that once you tell people you have UC, you'll find that several people you know have IBD as well. That happened to me and made me feel better for some reason...misery loves company?