Colitis Diet, Flare-Ups and Fitness

New member here. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in March of 2012. At first, I was crapting 10-15 times/day before doctors knew what was going on. I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in 2004, but it seemed to get better as years went on. Then my big Colitis hit in February of 2012. I have been in remission for five years until now. I had my first real flare up last Wednesday. I used to take Pentasa, but I moved out of state and with my new insurance, it would cost too much to take, so I'm on Sulfasalazine now. I've been taking it 4 times/day since Saturday. I'm wondering when it's going to start kicking in. My diarrhea hasn't been straight liquid which is good, but still soft and I get dizzy/lightheaded after each movement.

Anyways, before my flare-up, I was living a good healthy life for a few years. Eating a lot, working out a lot. I felt great. Not so much now, but I still have a big appetite. I still want to work out too. I was wondering what protein bars are safe to eat. I was eating Pure Protein and Atkins bars pretty frequently and they didn't upset my system at all. I had a pretty big chocolate chip cookie (my weakness) yesterday at work, and... that didn't do so well. The cafe at work here sells Clif Bars and Larabars. I was wondering if those would be any good to help my chocolate/cookie cravings.

I have a colonoscopy in two weeks. My first one in five years. Not looking forward to it. Will my flare-up be gone by then? The day of my colonoscopy, can I eat normal food like a burger or a pizza? Or is that too soon?

Thanks!

Thanks! Yeah, I did a lot of reading up on UC and it sucks that it is now 2017 and there are still many unknowns! I'm aware that it is a very personalized issue. Five years ago during my flare-up, cookies and english muffins didn't effect me. Now, my flare-ups are more sensitive to wheat. It's annoying.

I'm going back to the gym today. it's chest day. I hate/love it. I'm 5'10 and 155-160 lbs.

welcome - some questions can be asked/answered here, but some like scope prep non-instructions need to be addressed by your doc - call them and tell them you need answers prior to your scope -

and some questions have answers but very limited in their reliability - things like will your flare be gone before your scope - maybe, maybe not - no one can say, but it's not an issue regardless - i was in a massive flare for my first scope -


you won't be eating normal food before or during, but at some point after you will -

Cover both ends.....rowasa is a different location med as is Lialda.
You should be on both oral and rectal.

q

RE the protein thing, Lara Bars work for me but they only have like 6g of protein. Salmon and Grilled Chicken are way better for protein. I mostly eat the Lara bars twice a day as a snack and to keep my calories up. They are about 200-250 calories per bar. They also have no added sugar which is important on some diets that UC and Chrones people try to adhere to. Other protein bars can be full of sugar.

Rectal medications are very effective for UC. Due to poor patient compliance and that initial ick factor, some doctors do not mention them. Everyone expects a pill will solve all of their problems. In reality, the pills do not reach the rectum consistently. Flares always have rectal inflammation, rectal inflammation is always our most severe inflammation, and rectal inflammation causes our very worst symptoms. Things like tenesmus (the feeling we have to poop but cannot), urgency, and frequent bms. Rectal route-goes straight to the source. So combining oral and rectal meds treats the entire large intestine well, heals us the fastest, and is the best means of treating UC.

Initially, we're all a little intimidated by the thought of suppositories or enemas, myself included. Results speak volumes though, and whatever gives you or I the best quality of life and freedom from troubling UC symptoms is something to definitely pursue!

Sorry to hear that. I hope you feel better. This disease is bullcrap and I hate it.

I will ask my doctor about enemas and see what he says. If it works really well, then I think I will give it a go.

Thanks guys!

Thanks again, Josh (commented on other fitness thread). It's great to hear the thoughts of other fitness buffs who have IBD. I am developing my 'new adjusted habits' and it sounds like many of us are......

OP, when you say :

"I had a pretty big chocolate chip cookie (my weakness) yesterday at work, and... that didn't do so well."

I can relate !

I recently went 2 months with no symptoms and decided to reward myself with chocolate ice cream.....I have no idea if this was a coincidence or not, but I immediately saw blood. A very TINY amount, but still blood.

I am now convinced that pure sugar is absolutely OFF my list of what I can eat and it's on my permanent trigger list. It just doesn't work for me at all. I am really upset, too. I went like 5 months with almost no sugar (and the 3 relapses all caused blood).

Now, I should mention I am also tapering the butt meds......I guess this could play a role also? time to call my doctor Tuesday and ask her to issue a new RX. Clearly I can't stop those yet.