Just diagnosed...

2007 stunk medically for me. I got diagnosed with skin cancer and pre-cancer of the cervix. (Both issues have been addressed and now just need to be monitored) I also got diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The bad news is they think that I've had it for 10 years already. I am 31 and back when I was in college I had an episode of blood in my fecal matter but they waited a couple of weeks before doing the colon oscopy. By the time they did my symptoms were resolving. My Doctor at that time said it might be an IBD but if the symptoms resolve and don't return not to worry about it. Well, I guess I didn't realize that there were other symptoms to look for besides blood in the stool. Like the bloating and stomach pains. I actually went to the e-clinic in the middle of the night twice because I was in so much pain and I have an extremely high pain tolerance and a dislike of hospitals. Well, the blood returned and I was officially diagnosed with UC after a sigmoid. I am on asacol currently. I also just moved from MN to TX so I am between doctors and I need to finish the testing that was started in MN as I was just diagnosed 12/24/07. I am kind of worried though because from what I understand the risk of getting colon cancer is the highest after 10 years and from what my doctor said they go into high gear for screening and testing. Nobody in my family has been diagnosed with an IBD but I have lost family members to colon cancer. I'm kind of scared. Other ways UC is or may be affecting me is I have vitiligo and I had the red nodules. I want to hear other peoples story. Know what works for them. What supplements and vitamins you would suggest. Basically get information from people who actually have it.

Hi ZenDreamer...welcome to the forum!

You have a LOT on your plate. The major factor in your situation would be you have bowel cancer in your family that's resulted in death.
Your priority should be to have a total colonoscopy with tons of biopsies to make sure all is clear.

Any inflammation in the colon can contribute to bowel cancer.....but one good thing Ais that we are scoped fairly regularly and have biopsies done.

Were you seeing a GI or a GP?

UC wouldn't influence you getting vitiligo...they're both autoimmune and it seems that some autoimmune diseases like to be in a gang rather than alone..lol! By the red nodules...do you mean erythema nosdosum? Do you get them often?

I hope you'll be able to get in with a good GI who can deal with all your autoimmune conditions, even if it be to send you to different specialists, in order to have you treated "whole"istically.

Welcome again,
quincy