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12 YEARS, but flaring. :(

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/17/2010 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
I just realized today that this summer marks the 12th year since I was diagnosed with UC.  Hard to believe it's been 12 years!  I still remember going to the doctor's office as a high-schooler and my GP (at the time) quite casually mentioning "we're sending you to a specialist because blood in the stool can be a sign of cancer."  Yikes!  But I'm still here, cancer-free (thanks for the serious scare, doc!!). 

Unfortunately, my body has decided to herald my 12th anniversary by going into probably the worst flare since diagnosis!  :(  I'm supposed to go get a colonoscopy in 2011 (last one was in 2006).  Maybe I'm twisted, but 2011 can't get here soon enough!  I really want to know what's going on in my colon and see how my disease has changed over the past years.  

Posted 8/17/2010 3:22 AM (GMT 0)
Call up your GI and see if you can get an appt before 2011. I mean if your are flaring now they may as well take a peak. How much blood are you seeing?
Posted 8/17/2010 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I was thinking the same thing...maybe it would be worth checking it out now. In terms of how much blood...definitely not opaque red toilet water like back in 1998, but I'm seeing blood on the outside of the stool and a lot on the toilet paper, plus a ton of mucous. It's also the fact that I have such urgency to go, and then I sit there and NOTHING happens 3 times out of 5.

It probably isn't that big a deal compared to those who suffer so much from UC. But I've been lucky to have a pretty mild disease so far, so this is a departure for me. I also worry that as I get older the disease will get worse.
Posted 8/17/2010 6:54 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely call the doc and get in to see him, ask for rectal meds (rowasa) and request a c-scope asap. At the very least, a sig-scope.

q
Posted 8/17/2010 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
I would think you'd want to get on this flare asap before it gets worse - so calling your GI would be a good thing!
Keep us posted!
Posted 8/17/2010 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Please don't let it go. I always had a mild case so did not rush to the GI but by the time I did go it was too late and nothing could control the flare and had to have surgery.
Posted 8/17/2010 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry you are flaring after such a nice remission, I hope I have a nice long one :)

But if I were you, I'd jump on this thing with both feet and try to stop it before it gets worse.  Call your GI and get something going.

Have you ever tried any rectal meds?  They have really helped me.

Hope you feel better soon!!

Posted 8/18/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
THanks for the concern, everyone! I have been religiously taking my Apriso, but I think i'm going to need some rectal meds soon. I've taken Rowasa in the past.

Okay, totally off-topic, but that last statement just reminded me of one of the happiest days of my life...when i was initially diagnosed, my mom and I were spending tons of money buyin all my meds each week or so. I finally got on the mail-order prescription prpgram, and I got 90 days worth of Rowasa enemas (at 2/day!) all at once. It came in like 4 huges boxes and it was like Christmas!!!! Man, that was awesome. A little goofy but awesome. :)

okay, done with memory lane now. I'll call GI tomorrow!
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