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"Remission" ---- what does it look like?

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Posted 11/4/2011 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I am recently diagnosed with UC (this past July) although I've been dealing with the problem for probably a year and a half (I know, I know, my wife has already told me I waited too long to get looked at....)

Anyway, I keep reading with much jealousy about people experience "remission" of their UC... and given that I've not gone a day in the past year-and-a-half without diarrhea, many trips to the bathroom, pain, urgency, accidents (not daily but not uncommon), blood (also not daily but not uncommon)... I am left to wonder ---

What is remission?  Does it mean only having one normal bowel movement a day?  Does it mean having a normal, well formed stool?  Does it mean no pain, no urgency?  Does it mean you can do normal things without always having to know where the closest bathroom is?  Does it mean you can eat more normally?

To me, "remission" is sort of like the Great Pumpkin --- something mythic and I hope for but never see....

Peace, Mike

Posted 11/4/2011 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
yes to all of your descriptions of remission, with one caveat. You might discover over time that certain foods just do not agree with you. And they may never agree with you again.

Hang in there. Most of us have spent years suffering before diagnosis, so stop feeling guilty about waiting. But don't wait the next time your symptoms worsen - call the DR. Including now....if you're not seeing significant improvement from your medicines, you need to revisit the plan. Assuming your treatment started in July you should be much better by now.
Posted 11/4/2011 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
mikec30215,

Welcome to the forum Mike.

Being in Remission to me means:

1) 1-2 bowel movements a day

2) no urgency, no pain, no blood

3) well formed stools

But Kazbern is right on: you do learn what agrees and doesn't - and also, if you ingest what doesn't agree you will certainly "pay" for it :(

Posted 11/4/2011 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Remission is not a mythical thing but it definitely is sought for. Remission can have different meanings for different people. But basically it's just a feeling of being normal again. Or as normal as you can be. For some people, remission means that they are back to normal, regular bowel movements, no bleeding, pain or urgency. For others, it can be just the lack of pain or bleeding.

I am in remission right now, but don't be jealous - I've fought long and hard for mine. Off and on (mostly on) for 19 years. My remission consists of no bleeding, no pain upon going and no urgency. I have other colon issues so my bm's are not normal, nor will they ever be again. However, I do get surprised every now and than when I DO get normal :)

As for foods, it seems when you reach remission you can eat some of those no-no foods again but you need to tailor your diet to your own needs. And it's all about moderation. For instance, I LOVE LOVE LOVE salads but I limit my intake because too much fiber does not agree with me. So I consume them in moderation and I am okay with that.
Posted 11/4/2011 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Remission can be defined in two ways, really. One is by absence of symptoms, where you're back to normal in your bowel habits. The other is by colonoscopy, when there is no inflammation seen. I've been in symptomatic remission since May 2009 and recently had a colonoscopy which showed zero inflammation (this was my first scope since the one I had when I was diagnosed).

I'm lucky, I admit, that the mesalamine-based drugs work well for me. However, I'm very committed to taking my medications and don't skip doses, including a twice-weeky enema. I fully believe the enemas have played a huge role in keeping me in remission, and research results confirm that belief.

As for diet, I eat the same as I did prior to diagnosis, and avoid MSG and artificial sweetners, just as I did before.

We're always willing to suggest things to try; if you want some, let us know what you're currently using and what you've tried in the past that didn't work.
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