UC- the gift that keeps on giving & giving & giving.....

OK, bear with me now- about 6-8 months ago, my dentist noticed that my palate was really red, inflamed looking, etc. We kept an eye on it & today I saw an oral surgeon that the dentist referred me to, just to check it out, perhaps biopsy it, etc. I hadn't given it much thought- you tend to overlook the roof of your mouth! But I was concerned about oral cancer, half laughlingy- wouldn't it be kind of funny if after all these years of colon cancer threat to be diagnosed with oral cancer??? After poking & prodding, the oral surgeon decides it's a variation of thrush. Having been on pred numerous times over the years & EVERY SINGLE TIME getting thrush, I said "Ok, yeah...I can see that". Apparently thrush/candida is the kind of thing that once you have it, it never really goes away, just quiets down for awhile. And with my chronically suppressed immune system due to the UC meds, the surgeon is thinking the thrush has become fairly chronic too! So, here I am, with my swish & swallow gallon of Nystatin, ready to go! Although right now I'm knocking back red wine- will start the grody Nystatin tomorrow. Crazy though, thrush never occurred to me... in hindsight, it is similar- same tender feeling, etc. But no white patches, no yukky taste with foods.... So keep watch, fellow UC'ers on immune suppressants! Any weird mouth redness, you'll be forewarned! Shot of Nystatin, anyone???

well duh! They are obviously related, although not in the sense you may think. I tried some anti-Candida regimens a few years back & found no difference in UC symptoms, clinically or anecdotal. But yeah, the fact that my immune system is suppressed (which is the intent of the meds I take) leaves me more susceptible to candida overgrowth, etc. Believe me, I wish it were as simple as correcting a yeast overgrowth....

Well, its a good thing to know that your fear about oral cancer can be put to rest. I've had oral thrush last year about the same time I went on prednisone. Both of my doctors at the time said it was a result of prednisone. But, I think any healthy person can get thrush, and especially those taking immunosuppresant drugs, because you are fogging those censors that would normally stay alert for pathogens and bacteria.

I've done a strict anti-candida diet over the summer and into fall, and I have to say it was tough, but I came out better than I was before. It's worth a shot if you have common candida symptoms.

Wow, you were so lucky, to be able to treat this condition with private dentists, etc. There's a corporate chain that is nothing but a rip-off. I have a close relative who went to work there 2 years ago and she still sings their praises, but if you go to a website such as pi**edcustomer, etc. thousands of scary reviews come up. Had you gone there (first word is aspen), you would have walked out with a bill probably close to $10,000.00. I wish my SIL would wise up, they do such shoddy work.

I am glad in your case, this was resolved!