How do I know if I'm in remission?

Hi everyone,

I was hoping I could get a better understanding of what remission is. I've done a lot of reading and I *THINK* I may be in (or close to) remission.

I was diagnosed with rectal-sigmoid UC in May and have been taking 1000 mg Canasa nightly. I was on a super low fiber, low residue diet until recently as I've noticed my stools have been long, narrow, and solid. I recently started introducing fruits and vegetables into my diet and it definitely had an impact on flatulence. I used to never pass gas (when I was flaring), now I am. So I don't know if that's anything to be excited about.

Anyway, I still have urgency but I usually only have 2 BMs a day. Does this mean I'm in remission? Or at least close to it? Should I take it easy on the fiber?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Everybody's idea of remission is a different. For some, to be in remission is like being before having Uc when everything was kosher. But for some that have had it a long time, they are happy if they can get their bathroom trips down to 4 a day with no bleeding <--such as I. It sounds like you are on your way however, the narrow stools can indicate that you still have inflammation in your rectal area. So it may be a bit longer before you can claim you are in remission. You are on your way though which is good! :)

Don't be too alarmed if your stools are smaller though. The diet will do that to you:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/low-residue-diet/MY00745

Also, as long as you have no blood, no urgency, and no diarrhea - I think you're good. I'm not really sure if you have alot of urgency though, cause I wouldn't be able to pass gas if I did! (I couldn't tell the difference between actually going and having to pass gas when flaring...but also, I guess everyone is different!)

NiRo, thanks for the info. And yeah, sometimes its hard to distinguish between flatulence and actually having to go. However it's become easier to tell now.

Quincy, my GI hasn't said anything about retention enemas. And as far as taking anything oral, he said it won't do any good since it's too close to the rectum. And by urgency, I mean when I wake up, I GOTTA go. My colon makes it pretty obvious when it's time to go and I have about 15 seconds to find a toilet.

So I'm gonna cut back on the vegetables/fruits for a little while. Thanks for all the responses!

Remission is hard to pin down because it is hard to define what is normal for you. For me, to have 1 BM every 2 days is normal. My stools are normally similar in shape to deer droppings, (I KID thee not), hard and round. I do not normally get slight tummy ache when a BM is pending. Flatulence is not normal for me. I'm a lady I am!

Well I have been normal in all these respects since June when I came off azathioprine and started on LDN 4.5mg. My only lingering symptom is occasional back ache and big toe stiffness. I am 47 so back ache would be normal for many without UC! My life is normal with plenty rigorous exersize built in. Is this remission? Well I would say it isn't.

My consultant made it clear, when she advised me not to come off azathioprine, that it is possible to go a whole year without a flare even without medication. So, I will not count myself as being in remission until I am symptom-free until next June.

UCifer -
I, too, believe in fiber. Metamucil helps my stool have form and slide on through better - I sorely miss it when I have to omit it for 5 days prior to a coloscopy!

I think there are different kinds of remission. One is the absence of symptoms, though that can be defined differently, as explained earlier! I'm happy if I go 4 times a day with no blood, pain or urgency.
Then there is "microscopic remission", which we can only find out from biopsies. My new GI mentioned that the jury is still out as to whether UCers have to retain microscopic remission to lower the cancer risk or whether symptomatic remission is "enough."
But, whichever, if you're feeling better, that's wonderful!!

     I feel as though I am in remission...no urgency, only one or two formed bowel movements a day.  However, I still see a tad of blood and little mucus when I wipe.  I do have internal hemorrhoids and I strained my back about ten days ago lifting a heavy drawer.  Went to the orthopedic doctor today and he took xrays...just a bad strain, thank GOD!  So maybe the blood is coming from that.

Sounds like a remission to me. If in a remission, my stool is never as hard now as before my uc diagnosis.