Feel like I am going crazy!

Hi everyone,

I havn't yet been diagnosed with UC, but my GP thinks that is what is causing me problems.

about 10 weeks ago I started going to the bathroom and was passing a lot of wind and fecal material, then passing a normal stool. Within a few days I started to also pass blood. I saw my GP and he perscribed asacol suppositories and referred me to a GI specialist. After 3 weeks, my symptoms were getting worse, pain in lower abdomen (low level put persistent) and no longer passing 'normal' stool - more like a bristol 5-7, so Doc switched me to colifoam (cortisone foam enema), did this for two weeks, symptoms still got worse. 2 weeks later, more colifoam, 1 week of antibiotics, and start oral pentasa. Been doing oral pentasa with colifoam for two weeks, got noticeable improvement on antibiotics (no bleeding for 5 days!) but had diarrhea. Anyway, the bleeding is now intermittent (only twice this week) and perhaps not as severe, the urgency is less, I am only going 3 - 5 times a day, but also my my stools now are generally a 6 on the bristol chart. With respect to my abdo pain I feel like I have had some good days some bad - does this sound like I am on the road to remission?

Saw the GI specialist today (yes it took 10 weeks to get the appointment!), and he has requested a colonsocopy and given me pentasa enemas in addition to my oral pentasa.

The problem is: I was hoping for some reassurance from my GI, I am scared to death that this may not be UC, but may be something more serious i.e. cancer. Now I did have a flexible sigmoidoscopy at the end of last year and the surgeon noticed (and biopsied) an area of ulceration AND when I saw my doc at the beginning of this saga he saw an area of ulceration - so this has GOT to be UC/UP/chrones right?

I guess I was looking for some advice or support. Are the symptoms I have described consistent with a UC flare? I have been sticking to my medication but aren't really seeing significant improvement, from my reading I was expecting to be in remission now - how long does this take, how long does it take most of you to respond to meds? I have been also watching what I eat (no high fat foods, also cut down dairy and coffee) - does diet play a big role in inducing remission?

Thanks, and any advice would be really appreciated. I am just so scared at the moment, but will have to wait 2 - 8 weeks for a colonoscopy (am going to call the hospital tomorrow to get a clearer idea of time frame).

Thanks again

Only your GI can tell you for sure (of course) what it is you are diagnosed with.

But if it is IBD, then attaining remission can take various amounts of time and is different for each person. Some achieve it quickly (usually with meds), some take months and or even years to find the right balance. For my self, relief from most symptoms comes in a month or so (with proper or change of meds) then full remission -(no symptoms at all.. ) has taken about a year both times I've had issues. Likewise remission can last widely varying amounts of time - Some are thrilled with a "good' month or two, others have enjoyed years of remission (10 +).

Best of luck on getting a quick and correct diagnosis so you can begin dealing with that ever you have. and if it does turn out to be IBD, you can learn a lot on this forum.

I hope your scope is scheduled soon and you will finally get answers. But I agree, try not to worry. Easier said then done I know. Please come back and let us know how everything goes. In the meantime, definitely read the forum(s), learn what you need to know so if in the event you are diagnosed with an IBD you will be more knowledgeable about treatment options.

Did they do a stool sample? They should have done that first to see if there was any other reason you could have these symptoms. Even when I flare my GI does one to make sure.

I know it is terrifying. It sounds like you are getting better. I think there is a bunch of us on here that do not respond traditionally, so you are not alone.

Right now just try to take care of yourself emotionally and physically. I do not drink coffee when I flare (even decaf) or eat oranges. Those seem to increase my urgency and my symptoms. Everyone is different.

I wish you the best.
Take care,
Beth

MadScientist,

Welcome to the Healing Well.

I think the most important issue now is not to panic. I wish I'd not panicked when the monster showed its ugly face years back, because I made many mistakes due to panicking.

Whatever it is that you're suffering from (if anything), there are tons of meds and stuff that will give you relief. You'll get better.

Stress always gives me the flare up.

Take your time and read these pages and learn more about the potential diseases. It helps.

Good luck to you.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies. I should have also stated I am 34 and have no family history of either bowel cancer or UC. I have had a bit of a 'dicky' tummy since forever. Was much worse in my early 20's. My Doc at the time tested for gluten intolerance and I didn't have the antibody. But cutting pasta / cous cous out of my diet together with eating a yoghurt every day I havn't had any trouble at all for more than 5 years!

My GI yesterday sent me for an abdominal X-ray and stool samples (as I traveled to Mexico in 2008) and Italy/France/England/Denmark last year (just before my symptoms first began). So he wants to rule out infectious UC. No one even suggested UC last year I guess my symptoms were too mild. According to my GI my symptoms are still very mild, but when I rang the hospital this morning I found I have been given AB priority for my c-scope (this is second to top priority). I am trying to tell myself that this is because they want to get in there and see what is going on while there is still some evidence of inflammation - I don't know what I am so freaked out about. I wanted a c-scope and quickly - so I got what I wanted. So I should have the C-scope within 2-3 weeks (fingers crossed) and then will know for sure.

Anxiety (especially around health issues) has been a problem for me for about a year and I am on meds to keep it under control. I am gutted as felt like life was back on track prior to this 'flare' (If that is what it is).

On the upside I did my first Pentasa enema last night and no problems!!! I had thought it would be really uncomfortable, but it didn't seem to be and I actually managed to sleep (fitfully) most of the night.

In terms of diet I have cut out caffeine (my big addition), and cutting down/out dairy, no citrus and not eating a lot of high fibre food (except breakfast cereal). I have been keeping a food journal, and the only correlation I notice so far is an increase in symptoms the day after a high fat meal.

Thanks again for your replies