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Hi everyone, I have a question

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/8/2008 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
 I'm not sure where to ask this, and have looked on the internet for answeres but am confused by the info

My father had UC years ago but they decided to do the surgery and give him a colostomy(?) bag, It was a few years before I was born so I'm not sure they even had the diagnostic name UC at that time, so he doesnt have too many answeres for me.  Besides his case was very, very severe and he was hospitalized for most of the illness.  Anyhow, backround aside(guess I'm stalling as this is a little embarassing, but as someone told me, you gatta poop right?)

I've been having the most severe abdominal cramps and alot of gas for the past 6 months.  My stomach feels very quezy when I have this pain.  This pain is to the point where I am doubled over moaning.  I got checked for IBS a few times last year and the DR said I looked fine.  But it just seems like this is getting worse and for the past month I've had dark very loose stools and I hardley make it to the bathroom.  I havent changed my eating habits or have taken any new suppliments or meds.  I just went through heck geting diagnosed with a urinary problem so I'm not looking forward to another 'find the disorder go -around' and this is totally unrelated but is adding to my pain.  I just thought maybe it would go away but it seems to be increaing in severity.  I thought maybe I'd take a chance and see if anyone has experienced these symptoms.  I dont know where else to post this, sorry if I'm in the wrong place to ask

Any feed back would be great- even if it sounds like nothing(infact the latter would be prefered tongue )

Freya

Posted 5/8/2008 8:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Freya...welcome to the forum!

Curious..were you diagnosed with interstitial cystitis?

You do indeed need to see a gastroenterolotist and get checked out properly with a scope to see what's actually going on in there. The doc will (should) also have you do stool samples to make sure you don't have some infection/bug that's taken over and to check for occult blood if none is obvious during bms.

You'll also get blood tests to see if there are any increases that warrant further testing or to help lead to a diagnosis.

It's possible you do have only IBS...there are many who suffer terribly. There are some meds or food changes that can help lessen some symptoms.
Hormonal changes can affect the colon....are your periods up and down? Are you on the pill?

I wouldn't settle on just the diagnosis of IBS....although most of us have it as well as UC...UC in its early stages can act exactly like it. We don't usually seek doctor care until we experience more obvious symptoms.

How many times a day do you have bms? has that increased as well?

Dark stools can mean a few things...some not related to the colon at all, but definitely in the digestive system. The doc might request an upper gastro series to rule out anything wonky in the stomach or small intestines.

Do make an appointment with your doctor and request to be sent to a gastroenterologist at least to start.

The whole process sucks....and I can relate bigtime.

Hang tough...definitely keep us updated.
quincy
Posted 5/8/2008 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Freya, welcome to the Uc side of the boards! :) I have to agree with Quincy - you need to see a GI doc to rule out many things before they (or you) can come to a conclusion of Uc. Because your father had UC, you do have a higher chance of getting it. They say that Uc can be heriditary. When and if you see a GI be sure to mention that. And let us know if you find anything out ok?
Posted 5/8/2008 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
You definately should be checked by a GI.  The dark stool could be blood, and the watery stools, that is how my UC flares.  With that said, it may not be UC at all, but you need to know so you can get proper treatment.  Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Posted 5/8/2008 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your replies, thats all really great advice!

Yes I do have IC...great guess!
The IC pain feels like muscle spasms where my bladder and urethra are and the abdominal pain I can feel in my intestines and that general area so its all kind of mushed together. It almost feels like I have drank the water in mexico right before I have a BM, and then a kind of consant pain for the rest of the day. My BM have increased from 4-5 times a week to 2 or three times a day for the past month(but mostly 2), but it seems like the abdominal pain assocuated with my bm's have been around for the past 6 months.
It could be anything, but of course UC is on my mind because of my father. GI problems alwats seem so complex!
I will defenitly make an app now and get it checked out
Thank you all and I'll keep everyone up to date
(especially when its time for the scope and the stuff that cleans you out the night before...ugghhhh!)
Freya
I will
Posted 5/9/2008 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Freya....the reason I asked about IC is that I was checked for it. The urologist stated there is can be a connection with UC and IC....I didn't have it, which he suggested that I be grateful. Uh, I am!

You'll have to go through the whole sordid process...but the chances of you having it are high than the average person....father with UC and you with IC.

Please keep us updated as to the outcome, etc.

quincy
Posted 5/9/2008 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
I'm so happy that you dont have IC, Having UC is enough abdominal trauma for one lifetime!
IC has an association with way too many autoimmune conditions! I guess its like once you open up one of them you have a higher probablity of getting just about any of em!. even though there not sure what IC is yet, autoimmume makes the most sense since you whole body can be affected. Like all of a sudden I'm allergic to certain foods and my skin is itchy, rashy and sensative.
Geez, makes you wonder what lottery we've all won!

I'm really thankful for everyones support here it helps so much!
I hope your feeling good tonight.

Hugs

Freya
Posted 5/9/2008 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with IC about 3 years ago, but the doctor didn't do any tests. They just did urine tests to rule out infection and when they still couldn't figure out why I had all the symptoms of a urinary track infection, they said it was IC. I started taking meds for it, but then I got pregnant. After the pregnancy, I never started back on the meds because my bladder wasn't too bad. I'd had the bladder pain for so long that I think I was just use to it. Then, in Jan '07, I was diagnosed with UC. Now it's really hard to tell if I have IC because everything hurts in "that" area. I'm actually pregnant again, but I think after I give birth, I'm going to look into getting a proper diagnosis for IC. Can I ask what they do to test for it?
Posted 5/9/2008 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Freya.
I started having bladder pain about a year ago. It was worse after being intimate so my Gyno put me on birth control and said it was probably Enodmetriosis. I went back to him after several months on the pill because I still had the pain. (I have had UC for 12 years on top of this) So I got a laparoscopy which showed no problems. (except that I have vericose veins crushing my uterus, lovely!) Soo, the Gyno told me that it probably is IC and that I sould start taking Elmiron and get my bladder tested and he gave me a brocure about ELMIRON. It stated The most common side effects were blood in stool, diarrhea, nausea, hair loss, headache, rash, upset stomach, abdominal pain, liver function abnormalities and dizziness..... so I asked my GI if it was safe for me to take and he said I can never, ever take Elmiron. The bladder pain went away for a while and I never had my bladder tested, but now the pain has returned. So, if you are taking Elmiron, it may be that is causing your bowel problems. Since you have a family history of UC, it may have triggered the UC. I have heard that it is not uncommon to have UC and IC. In conclusion, I would definitely get a colonoscopy to be safe, and I am curious about whether or not you are taking Elmiron. I am going to make a new post about IC and I would appreciate any info on it you could share. Thanks. I hope that you don't have UC!
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