In need of friends with U.C.

Hello fellow sufferers. I was diagnosed in Feb.2007. I am 30. I've noticed blood in my stool since my early teens though. I had my first flare-up in Jan.2007 and it was a very rough period. I had daily accidents. I was so feverish and lethargic. After my colonoscopy in March, I was on Asacol and everything kind of went back to normal. My urgency went down, I realized how precious it is to be able to control my b.m. I'm on Lialda now, 4 pills a day, because its easier than 12 Asacol pills a day. I've lost a lot of hair since my flare-up which I attribute to the Asacol and Lialda. Two weeks ago I began another flare-up. Only one accident so far so its not as bad as the first time, but the lethargy and multiple b.m. are back. What is weird with my flare-ups is I have an "urgency-attack" and after I rush to a bathroom I end up with a very small b.m. I know I have a lot inside me that I need to excrete, but I just can't. Its like there is blockage, or like my colon has constricted. My doctor put me on 40mg. of Prednison a week ago and after a month of tappering down, he wants to do another colonoscopy. It will actually be his first because I had to switch doctors for insurance reasons. I really want to go to the next level of treatment, which I believe is Remicade. Even between my flare-ups, I was never quite right. I was always sluggish and having diarhea. I wanted to go to this riverwalk over the weekend, but I am glued to the toilet right now. I'm tired of this and its only been a year. I already have social issues, I'm highly isolative, and I have depression, anxiety, asthma, allergies, hair loss, acne, lose shin from a 100 lb. weight loss, a bad scar from a poorly done abdominoplasty, a mis-centered belly button, carple tunnels or arthritis or something like that. I'm just such a mess and now this U.C. has really made things more complicated. I'm so alone as it is and this won't help. I think I'm at the angry stage in my grief proceess, don't you? :) I know this is a lot but Ive only had doctors to talk to until I found this site. I need friends with U.C. Well I need friends period. Lol. I'm not just a complainer, I do things to be proactive. I work out a lot for my mood, I volunteer, I  read a lot about U.C., I am on Match.com to try and meet a girl, I am able to keep a lot of my conditions under control with meds. I just hate the loss of energy and being chained to a toilet with U.C., you know, its horrible. Ok, now my carple tunnels is acting up, lol. If you want to exchange numbers, or just email me, I could use some peer support. Thank you all.

Sorry to hear things aren't going well for you at the moment. Healingwell is a great place to get support and chat to people who understand what you are going through. Have you tried any rectal meds like the steroid foam or Rowasa? Sometimes they can provide good relief from symptons - just a suggestion.

Hang in there buddy - once you get a treatment plan with your Dr and get off the prednisone you'll hopefully start feeling a lot better. I used to get really down when I was on prednisone so I can relate. Things will get better

hi

just thought id say a hello and ur not alone in feeling the way u do

its a real crap condition isnt it

not much of a post person just a reader but undestand the degree of this illness emotionally. email is -- in my profile -- if u ever need ot vent 

**I removed your email address to prevent spammers.

Post Edited By Moderator (dakotagirl) : 10/1/2007 4:49:07 PM (GMT-6)

WOW!!! Thank you all for your support. I am so lucky to have found this site. I have found more info in my two visits that the 2 books Ive read. Its great to freely share our "gross" symptoms. Ive come to accept my urgency and frequent b.m. but that doesnt mean I share that stuff with others. This is the first time I have not felt alone. Thank you all for that :)

30y.o.guyw/U.C.,

Many of us have found various ways to control uc, for me diet has given me my life back. It's not a solution by any means, but I have no urgency, more energy, no joint pain and my colon has showed signs of healing.

Try avoiding sugars like sodas, fruit juices, cakes, candies, etc. also try avoiding dairy products especially milk. Sometimes I take calcium supplements maybe once a week to replace my calcium levels. Following this isn't always easy, but it's better than poohing 15 to 20 times a day and feeling like pooh...lol

This is what works for me, if it works for you then my preaching won't be in vain. I'm no longer on any meds and I've been much improved for months since following this diet...I'm still a little tired, but NOWHERE near as fatigued as I used to be. I used to be wiped out all day, everyday and angry most of the time because I felt like my life was wasting away.

Now, I have energy to get out and about and I don't have to worry about where the nearest toilet is...I have 4 to 5 bm's a day and sometimes less. If you try this diet, stick to it because the slightest deviation will put you back to square one, even if it's a small piece of chocolate.

Why not give it a try...you've got nothing to lose except pooh!

NBT