HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Newbie just diagnoses!

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/3/2008 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all, I am a newbie just diagnosed last week with UC.  Taking Asacol 3 x2 and also using Lomotil--2 in the am.  I am 58, (for the most part in ex health--hip replacement on 23rd though) have had diarrhea "issues" on & off for the past 15+ years--nothing ever severe, nothing ever diagnosed as anything worse until now.

about 6 weeks ago, this flared up and would not go away with my usual Lomotil treatments so I went to the GI and he recommended a colonoscopy since it had been about 8 yrs.  Symptoms have not changed nor have they worsened or gotten better in the 6 weeks.  Primarily I have problems first thing in the am but then take the Lomotil because I work and am too scared to have "issues" at work.  It seems to work now--not at first--spent quite a few sick days at home.

Whew--sorry. 

My questions are:  How long has this med taken to get results in your experiences? 

Have people seen remission after just one flare up and for how long? 

Since what I am experiencing seems mild in contrast to what I have read here---are there some "obvious" foods, drinks, etc to avoid? 

I believe all the anti inflamatory Celebrex I have taken for the hip and other issues along the way and the Prilosec to aid with that, have created this monster in me.  I sure want to get it healed & over with so I can stay off the Prednisone (Dr says that is next if this doesn't work) so I can have my hip surgery on the 23rd.

THANKS in advance & sorry for the long post.

 

Posted 6/3/2008 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
You'll get hear experiences that are all over the map - from mild to severe. Probably better not to compare. From what you've said, your case does sound relatively mild, so maybe the Asacol will help you. If you find it doesn't there are alternate ASAs you can try. Some folks do well on one but not on another, so it takes some trial and error.

There are several good books out there with dietary recommendations for UCers. I recommend the following, in order from most lenient to most strict:

The New Eating Right for a Bad Gut - James Scala
Listen to Your Gut - Jini Patel Thompson
Breaking the Vicious Cycle - Elaine Gotschall

Have you talked to your GI about how your other meds may be exacerbating your gut troubles?
Posted 6/3/2008 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Princesa.

Thanks for the prompt reply.  I will look into those books.  Yes, I have talked to Dr. re: meds & he says the Lomotil is not an issue, isn't REAL happy about the Celebrex which I think I am going to stop on my own just because I think it is causing much more trouble than it is helping the hip pain.  I stopped once before after taking for 90 days and re-started after about 3 weeks & then had this flare up.  Hmmmmm......  Everything else I take is non-rx & fine he says.  I am so worried about the surgery & possible meds they will be giving me that will get my UC flying again!

Posted 6/3/2008 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Cruiser Rose, it sometimes takes the Asacol a couple of weeks to work. If you're not getting relief at that time, talk to your GI. A lot of us do better with Colazal, which is another 5-ASA drug. I'm also surprised your doctor didn't put you on any rectal medications. UC inflammation usualy appears first and disappears last in the rectum, and oral medications don't reach that area in effective doses. Mesalamine, the active ingredient in Asacol, is also available in enema and suppository form. Treating rectally as well as orally can help speed your healing.

Many people will have a long remission after their first flare. You won't see to many of them here, because they're out living their lives. Those of us here tend to be those who have more stubborn cases or those who are interested in alternative treatments and are not in remission. Hopefully you will be healthy for quite a while when you get into remission.

Welcome to HealingWell, and please feel free to ask any questions you want. We're pretty hard to gross out here just because of the nature of the disease.
Posted 6/4/2008 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
I totally agree with Judilyn about rectal meds. They are very helpful. As far as diet, you will find like everyone else, it really varies from person to person. Some people have very limited diets, some can eat almost anything. Same goes for the different meds. This disease is so individualized. Celebrix for my achy hips, made my past flare alot worse. Good Luck, I hope you have some improvement.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply