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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/15/2008 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

Last month on my 22nd birthday I was diagnosed with UC(Pancolitis) by a GI specialist following a colonoscopy/muscle biopsy. Great birthday gift or what? Prior to this I had observed what was UC like symptoms (bloody stool, mucus), during my study abroad experience. Needless to say I was pretty much in denial that anything was actually wrong with me during that period, i'd come up with excuses like "Oh the diet just isn't sitting well with me." or "Maybe it was the seasoning". Following my return to the United States, I went to see my doctor and was tested for parasites twice, both tests came up negative. Then it was off the GI, and one colonoscopy later, here I am with UC. Currently i'm on 4.8gm/Lialda, and (up from 20mg to start) 60mg Prednisone/day. I appear to be in my first real flare up, before jumping on pred @60mg I was having 10-20bm a day accompanied by blood and mucus. The upped pred dosage allows for me to make it through practice 6 days a week, but what happens when I come off(only 6bm a day now)? This fall marks my final year of college I wonder if i'll even be able to go to class sometimes. This entire experience has been a wake up call for me, I thought I did everything right, excercise nut, ate minimal sugar/fat, had high fiber diet (greens/beans/whole wheats), and now UC comes up and bites me in the butt. I know in comparison to some members on the board that this isn't so bad but where is the light at the end of the tunnel? So for the long winded post...

                                                                                                                                                                                                      -Aaron

Post Edited (Apetro) : 8/14/2008 9:42:21 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/15/2008 4:27 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HealingWell, Apetro. I'm sorry you need this forum, but glad you found us. I hope you'll find the members here as helpful and supportive as I did when I first found the forum.

Never apologize for whining or complaining here. We never compare, and there are no prizes for who's the "sickest." We're all dealing with the same demon, and we just want to support one another and share ideas. Usually you'll find this forum very positive and supportive.

We have any number of athletic and very physically fit people here. Unfortunately, eating a good diet and living the right way just don't protect us from this equal-opportunity disease. Diet doesn't cause UC; it doesn't even cause flares, although if you're on the verge of a flare certain foods may push you over that cliff. As far as what foods those are, it varies and tends to be different for each of us.

If you check out the UC resource thread at the top of the page, there's a lot of good information. Being knowledgable about your condition will help you to work as a partner with your healthcare providers in living with a chronic condition. With luck, the Pred will get you into remission and you'll be able to taper back off of it. If you flare again, be prepared to discuss medication alternative with your GI.

Good luck, keep us posted, and feel free to ask any questions you may have. We don't gross out easily on this forum.
Posted 8/15/2008 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the kind words, i've been reading about treatment options for the past hour. It seems that i'm on the baseline treatment, it's nice to know that there are still other options to turn to.
Posted 8/15/2008 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, but welcome! I joined recently, too - it's a great site with tons of great resources. Stinks that you've been hit with such a hard flare so early in your diagnosis. Only 6 bm's a day down from 10-20 sounds like a huge improvement, and sounds like the pred. is working. Hopefully you'll continue to do well with the pred., and as your bm's continue (hopefully) to lessen, you'll start to taper down off the pred, but continue to be well. If you notice any increase in your symptoms, make sure to call your GI right away before it gets out of hand. Some days you may not feel like going to class this year, but you might be fine all year, too. It's such an unpredictable disease. Talk w/ your professors before the term, explain your condition, and see what allowances they're willing to make. Good luck with everything, and enjoy this last year of school!
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