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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/18/2009 10:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

My name is Lisa and the GI doc thinks I have Colitis.  I'm 44.  I'll give you a little history.  I went to GI doc for heartburn and double over pain in my abdomin.  I had an endosopy and a breath test and had SIBO witch I took antibiotics for and the endosocy showed hiatel hernia, gastritis, acid refux, etc.  I take prilosec twice a day.  I still get double over pain in my abdomin but I also have constant pain so doc sceduled a CT scan last Friday.  2 hours after the CT scan doc calls me and said radiologist saw inflamed colon so doc wants me to do an emergency colonoscopy.  I have one sceduled on Wednesday.  Doc thinks it's colitis. 

What can I expect with colitis and what can be done with the constant abdominal pain?  I have bouts of diareha.  Going approx 10 to 20 times a day.  I have diarhea mostly.  Occasionly constipaion.  Is this normal for colitis?  I really haven't spoke to GI doc yet as I haven't had the coloscopy yet but will talk with him on Wed. 

I bet food also plays in my stomach problems so my diet should probably change.  I guess I just want to say hi and wanted to know if what I have been experiencing is colitis.

Thank you and I look forward to your replies.

Posted 5/18/2009 10:48 AM (GMT 0)
I also wanted to ask what can I look forward to with colitis meaning activities, diet, any restrictions and weight gain or loss with medication and what can be done for pain.

Thanks for reading and looking forward to the reply. (I didn't know how to edit)
Posted 5/18/2009 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to Healingwell :) I think it's great that you are looking for answers before you have a diagnosis but don't jump the gun yet! There can be various reasons why your colon is inflammed such as diverticulitis, colitis (this is not Uc), or other bowel conditions. However, if in the event you get diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis the doctor will presribe you medications. Where and how badly your colon is inflammed will determine the course of treatment. Once the medication is started most of your symptoms should start subsiding.
Posted 5/18/2009 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I happened across a New York Times article yesterday on Ulcerative Colitis. It provides good background information on the disease (and other related gastrointestinal diseases). Beyond resources on this site, it may address some of your questions. The link is <http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/ulcerative-colitis/overview.html>.
Posted 5/18/2009 7:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa, welcome to the forum!

Your doc's definitely done the upper series of proper testing/treatment, etc....and if in fact you do have inflammation in your colon, the doc will have to determine the cause.

He'll do biopsies, hopefully, he'll have you also do stool samples, etc....after which a diagnosis will be able to be determined.

Your symptoms sound a lot like mind did long before the bleeding started....I didn't have a GI, so my "then" doctor put me through a series of testing that I deemed a total waste of time.

Hang tough....it seems as though you're in good hands in order for you to find a diagnosis.

I do hope, however, the doc doesn't put you on prednisone for a first-line treatment.....if yes, ask about 5-ASA meds, oral and rectal....

Keep us posted as to the outcome.

Welcome again!
quincy
Posted 5/18/2009 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder, because my UC never causes me that kind of pain, only deep gut wrenching spasms when I'm moving my bowels (when I'm flaring badly, not all the time). Otherwise, it's a dull tired ache kind of like cramps but in a different place (again, when I'm flaring).

Maybe you are reacting to something in your diet, that is causing you all that distress, up and down. I hope you get it figured out soon.

If you have it, you'll find you just never want to hang out anywhere where there is no bathroom. That kind of sums it up!
Posted 5/18/2009 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
Lisam1995, without sounding too grim, I will tell you what I seem to get before, whilst and after a flare up.

Pre-flare symptoms: stomach pains, wind
Whilst flaring: blood and diarrhea, accompanied with a dull ache. I find the urgency to goto the loo is the worst though, so tiring.

Apart from that, whilst your not flaring, you will feel normal.

If you do find you have UC, which I hope you don't, its not the end of the world. You just need to manage it, take tablets in the morning when you get up, and before you goto bed. & maybe, an enema.

Keep your head up :)
Posted 5/19/2009 2:10 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Thanks for the replies.

Tomorrow I go for my colonoscopy at 6:30am.   Just knowing I can't have food today is making me hungry.  lolol.  I figure I'll just sleep later so hunger won't be a factor. 

To add to this, yesterday I just got diagnosed with arthritis in my lower spine and in my neck.  I'm going for a MRI on my neck.  I am curious as to what meds I can take for both the belly pain and arthritis pain.  If I had to choose which to take pain meds for it would be the arthritis pain.  The pain from the arthritis is bad and it's constant.  Since we really shouldn't take anti infammatories what does everyone take and what would be good?

Thank you for reading and look forward to your replies.

:)

Posted 5/19/2009 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
If it's rheumatoid arthritis, you could take one of the biologics (remicade and humira) that have been shown to be effective for UC. They were both developed for use in RA.
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