been a while...what now?

Hello everyone,

I am checking in. It's been a while since I've typed anything, but I have read many of your posts. When I am not in a flare, I try my best to live life without thinking about it at all.

I was just diagnosed last december...pancolitis. I had prednisone and have been on pentasa for maintenance ever since. I have had the odd bad day, but overall been ok...not perfect, but happy and well.

WELL....last week I went away on vacation. I forgot all of the diet rules etc....big trouble. I am now on my 3rd day of a flare..it's really getting me down. The first flareup since I've been on meds. I almost forgot the feeling of running to the bathroom every hour or more...but now it's almost at that point.

What do you guys do when this happens? All the thoughts of how Pancolitis is the worst kind and thought of surgery are all storming back...pre-maturely I hope.

How do you guys handle flares...what do you eat differently. Can I get it back down on my own and continue the pentasa? How long before I should go see my GI?

Any help would be awesome! I'm always trying to stay positive...sure makes it difficult tho sometimes.

Thanks

I usually end up eating the few fruits and veggies that don't bug me for days or weeks until I get teh flare under control. I also eat much less than normal (and am hungry for most of the day) as I feel resting the colon does help.

I would call your doctor as soon as possible. Even if he can't help now, he can tell you at what point you need to take different meds, etc. If he/she doesn't know your situation, he/she can't help you, should it get worse.

hey, call your doc and ask for rowasa. It really helps i think for a lot of people. And don't stress. Seriously, I would not worry about losing my colon. If I could, i would get mine removed right now and go for a j pouch. I think most people who get it wish they had gotten it sooner. I'm not saying it is the first preference, but at least now adays, we don't have to live with a pouch on our sides for the rest of our lives. I believe relaxing, healthy eating and rectal mes will def help you out. Flares are gonna come with this stinking disease, and UC feeds on stress. Keep us all posted.