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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/13/2010 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed in Sep 2009 with UC. Initial problems were the result of C-diff.  Lost 20 something lbs in under 30 days. Was hospitalized for 11 days. At the time, doctors weren't sure what I had because the symptoms didn't "present" in the typical fashion. 

After being treated with antibiotics, prednisone, mesalamine and 6MP(which I was quickly taken off of cause it was affecting my liver) I have not had DH nor stomach pains. My only real problem is uncomfortable bowels movements. More pressure and gas than pain. Stools have been well formed, occasionally loose with blood depending on what I eat. Occasionally have clots. Had hemmies years ago when I was a heavy weighlifter. They were all but gone until the bout with C-diff in Sep 2009. As I recall, the sensation I have now is similar to when I had bad hemmies. GI started me on Remicade in Sep 2010, haven't see any change in symptoms. GI doc never mentioned rectal meds at all.

Anyone else have similar symptoms? Going to start the SCD, hope that helps.

For the most part, I feel normal until I have a bowel movement.

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44yr old female

Diagnosed Sep 2009

moderate UC according to my GI doc

Posted 11/13/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, and welcome to the forum!
My experience is some different from yours, but I wanted to welcome you anyway.
Are you still on mesalamine? Oral or rectal?

When I was first diagnosed my GI recommended I started taking fiber so I "would never have to strain." I've been taking two large spoons of Metamucil every day for the 24 years since. You might try that or Benefiber or one of the others to see if you can help the stools slide past without aggravating the hemmies...?

When you were dxed with UC, you had a colonoscopy and biopsies to confirm the diagnosis? UC starts in the rectum (I'd say "always" but... that's "always" a dangerous word! lol) .... and flares also tend to start int he resctum and travel upward. So... it is possible you are having a flare concentrated in the rectum, which would act like bad hemmies.

A lot of docs don't recommend rectal meds because patients don't want to deal with them - but a lot of us here find them to be the most effective way to treat inflammation. You might ask for Rowasa enemas, and see if they help? (Or even Canasa suppositories)...? Those are both mesalamine.

Keep us posted. Diet has never affected my UC, but some have found great relief in the SCD. I wish you well!
Posted 11/14/2010 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Apparently not everyone with UC has diarrhea stools. Since I had UC, I usually always had formed stools, not pure diarrhea. Bleeding became an issue and I seem to fight that more than anything. I don't really have stomach pains either. I do get cramping when I go if things are flared up.
Posted 11/14/2010 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't have pains of any sort - except some discomfort while going, if I was flaring - for the first 22 years! So when the cramping started, I had no earthly clue what was going on.

We each experience this so differently.....
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