Wondering about remission

Not 100% but close enough to be happy and enjoy all you activities again. No urgency no worsening anemia is pretty good. Stool quality may never be like it was before but good enough to roam around and do what you like. Eat as clean as you can to keep your remission as optimal as and long as possible.

I'm in remission and it's pretty much the same as before uc. I have just one bm a day without urgency, blood, etc. My wife and I go xcountry skiing or hiking all day without uc troubles.

If you've only had uc symptoms since around thanksgiving and been diagnosed a few weeks ago, then it might take a while (multiple months or more if you are lucky) to gain remission. Much of the medication and dosage ends up being a trial-and-error process. Try something wait a few a weeks, try an adjustment to your medications, repeat...

For me (but everyone is different) remission was 1 bm per day...usually in the morning, then life as normal. I might occasionally have a little more gas or slight symptoms depending on my menstrual cycle, but that would always correct itself. I was on maintenance drugs of Asacol and generic mesalamine enemas.

Sigh...I miss it. Trying to get to remission myself.

Hoping for the best for you...get to that remission soon!

Cassidy, rather than retyping your medications, age each time, could you create a forum signature? Click My profile, and then edit profile. It's helpful for us to see the medicine you take when you post. Thanks.

At times in my remission, I feel better than I did prior to being diagnosed. I think I had UC for a long time before I really knew something was going on - for years I just thought I had a fussy stomach and maybe a hemorrhoid. After being diagnosed, I take much better care of myself and my diet is much better - so I think that all helps too. Hope you feel better soon - I am sure it's tough being diagnosed young, but at least you are getting it under control! Best wishes to you!

Hiya, I'm having a flare-up at the moment, but when I am in remission, it is almost like normal life.

When I'm in remission, I go to the ladies as normal.

I get anaemic easily and am often tired, so I often have naps. I'm not as able to cope with exerting myself as I was before, as getting worn out can cause a flare-up. So this can affect career etc.

On the subject of careers, you have to tell your employer, and you have to declare it on any job application you submit. I'm not sure whether this applies to college and university aswell. They have to allow you time off for hospital appointments etc.

You have to attend regular hospital appointments even in remission, how often will depend on how ill you have been, and how long since your last flare-up. You have to have regular colonoscopies. In england it is 1st one, ten year gap, 2nd one, then 5 year yap after that. I'm not sure of the prescription system where you live, in england you can get a repeat dispensing prescription, so you can get your pills directly from the chemist for 6 months, then you need a doctor's appointment to get it re-authorised.

Financially there are not only your prescriptions to pay for, but any supplements, special food, etc. It will also cost you more in life insurance etc.

I stick to a mostly low residue diet (I can manage cooked veg, if really soft), as fibre almost always triggers a flare-up. So food-related things can be a bit more complicated, like going out for meals etc. or trying to lose weight.

I have to take my medicine 3 times a day, so you have to carry your pills in your handbag. When I was first diagnosed I bought a cheap watch and set the alarm to go off every 'pill time'. You have to have plenty of medicine at home, what I do is, when I open my last bottle of Asacol, that's when I get some more. I also stash away 'emergency medicine' such as leftover steroids etc. You never know when you might need it and the doctors are closed.

As far as a sex life, there are 'certain things' which I had never really considered before (my ex-husband was a gent), but are now absolutely 100% not going to happen with anyone ever.

Relationships in general you have to be a bit more sure about. I only tell people I trust about my UC, and even then it's not straight away. I wouldn't mention it until I think people will become part of my life.

Kids-I never wanted children anyway, but now it is a definite no, as I would hate to pass it on.

So to summarise, you can act more or less normal, but you have to think about it sometimes.

This has got me so worried. I'm so young, I'm scared of my future. I don't want to be limited with careers, schooling, and overall life. I'm scared I won't even be able to support myself. The stress right now, is really high. If someone could help reassure me, that would be much appreciated. :/

Many with uc live very normal lives, are successful in college or their job, have families and can forget about their uc. Uc symptoms disappear when you enter remission and it can last many years. Living with a chronic illness does, however, present some uncertainties. Uc is characterized by periods of remission and flares, so at some unknown time we all flare up again and uc symptoms show their ugly head again. It's best not to worry about the unknown. Studies show those who take their medication religiously have longer periods of remission and fewer flares.

Right now, focus on healing and don't worry about the future. Odds are good for you getting uc under control and into a solid remission.

And know many of us that hangout in this forum are the difficult cases, those who've struggled with uc for a long time.

Aah I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you :(

Don't forget that different people suffer to different degrees with their UC, so you might not have the same difficulties as someone else. Also, I'm 35 now, you are only 14, so you will be much fitter and stronger than me and may bounce back much better :)

I was your age when I got diagnosed. First of all, I'm so sorry. Once you get into remmision, make sure you take it seriously. I stay away from red meat and that helps ALOT. Also have your doctor perscribe you vsl3 ds probiotics, and INSIST that they put you on a maintaince medicine. I let them talk me into seeing if I need one, and well thats how I ended up with flair number 2.
Working out helps. But don't stress your body too much. Other than that, enjoy whatever foods you can tolerate without symptoms. Best of luck. Its a long road, so just try to keep your head up. If you feel like you cant take it, seek therapy. It helped me.

Sam1996 said...
about remmision... I have pain sometimes after I eat, but vsl really helps with that. There will be foods you need to stay away from still, though. NEVER take antibiotics.

I am fine with taking antibiotics. I take a probiotic with and after the antibiotics but they've never had a noticeable effect on my symptoms. If you want to avoid them that's certainly fine, but I think putting it out there as a blanket recommendation that someone with UC should NEVER take them is ill advised. If someone has a bacterial infection that a doctor, who is aware of their whole medical history wants to treat with antibiotics, they should seriously consider the risks of ignoring that recommendation.

It took me 2.5 years to reach remission. When you're in remission you know it through-and-through without any sort of doubt. UC becomes less of a day-to-day concern as you have one or perhaps several non urgent, normal or semi-normal bms in a day and you stop worrying and begin trusting yourself again.

I just assumed i was better than before and had simmering inflammation for far longer than i should have, and my quality of life suffered accordingly. Not recommended. Rather, be aggressive in your treatment until you find your solution. I slowly, slowly got better thanks to remicade until i realized I'm pooping once a day and no longer worry about my uc.