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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/26/2013 1:40 PM (GMT 0)
HELLO EVERYONE!! I NEED HELP...MY HUSBAND WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH UC...FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS HIS CONDITION WORSENED...IT TURNS OUT HE WAS HAVING A REALLY BAD RESPONSE TO HIS MEDS...HE DEVELOPED PLENTY OF CANKER SORES IN HIS MOUTH AND THROUT, HEMORRHOIDS, AND A FISSURE...THEY STILL HAVE NOT GONE AWAY AND HAVE MADE HIM VERY ANGRY AND DISTANT...EVERY TIME I ASK HIM SOMETHING HE GETS AGITATED...I UNDERSTAND THIS MUST BE HARD FOR HIM BUT I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO OR HOW TO HELP HIM...I DONT WANT TO IRRITATE HIM BUT I ALSO DONT WANT HIM TO THINK I DONT CARE IF I DONT ASK HOW HES DOING OR IF HE NEEDS ANYTHING...CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE ?
Posted 7/26/2013 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
For now I would probably back off and give him some space. Hopefully the meds will make him better and things will improve soon. He may just need some time to accept what has happened to him. Be there when he is ready.
Posted 7/26/2013 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Is he on Prednisone? That caused me to feel angry & short fused a lot...
Posted 7/26/2013 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
YEAH I THINK I WILL TRY THAT I DONT REALLY WANNA SMOTHER HIM...

NO HE WAS ON PENTASA AND CANASA NOTHING CHANGED THEY PUT HIM ON ROWASA IT WORSENED AND YESTERDAY THEY PUT HIM ON COLAZAL AND ENTOCORT

Posted 7/26/2013 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Get him some liquid multivitamin high in vitamin B complex without sugar in it.

Since he has canker sores he is very low in many vitamins and minerals.

Deficiencies of vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid, and iron are also suspected as contributing to the development canker sores.

Canker sores can be a symptom of sensitivity to gluten (gluten is the protein in wheat and other grains). To find out if that's the problem, ask your doctor to test you for gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease.

Take slippery elm powder mixed to a paste with water; alternatively, suck on slippery elm lozenges, available in both drug and health food stores.

Probiotics (products that help replenish the friendly bacteria in the digestive tract) may also be helpful.

  • Try to minimize the discomfort of canker sores by avoiding acidic and spicy foods as well as abrasive foods such as nuts, all of which can be irritating.
  • Switch to a toothpaste that does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent that may contribute to recurrences.
    • Posted 7/26/2013 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
    I was angry too when I first was diagnosed but you grow to "accept" it as much as that is possible. Now my wife and I joke about my poop issues. I would agree with the others that you might want to be available to him but back off a little.
    Posted 7/27/2013 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
    I need help,

    Welcome to the forum.

    You've gotten some great advice from lookforcure.

    BTW, I would suggest you use lower case letters and NOT all caps; all caps seems like you are shouting.

    You have to give him the time to grieve, there's a 5 step process, and he's probably at the ANGER stage. It's normal. When I was first diagnosed I was overwhelmed with anger.

    Sounds like your husband is intolerant to the mesalamines.

    Make sure his doctor knows.

    There are some pretty good and easy things to do to reduce symptoms, with simple supplements, probiotics, etc... and if you are interested, there are things IMO that you can control, which will have a direct impact on your disease, the symptoms you experience and their severity.

    I was able to control my UC into remission through various supplements, probiotics, diet modification, and LDN , low dose naltrexone.

    For more info on the protocol which has put me into remission, please go to this link: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1666318 , and look at the 11th post.

    I hope your husband start to feel better and let us know how we can help you help your husband.

     

     

    Posted 7/27/2013 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
    Women are communicators and it drives us guys crazy when we don't feel well or don't want to talk about it. Even a simple "how are you doing today?" from my mom can anger me.

    Guys (and many girls too) like to be in control of their lives, so if others (especially females) want to discuss that "loss of control" it doesn't go over too well with guys. Unless he's laid up in a hospital bed and that loss of control is expected.

    I wouldn't mind the following statements from my mom:

    What are your plans today?
    Make any good dishes lately?
    How about that rain?
    I think it's great you keep going to the gym!

    (Notice I'm keeping the subject off of being sick or loss of control)

    Below are statements that I WOULDN'T like to hear:

    Are you feeling ok today?
    You should just take it easy today.
    Did you call the doctor?
    Can I get you anything?
    Are you worse?
    Have you been doing anything to make yourself worse?

    (Guys don't like to be "nurtured" or made to feel they can't control themselves. I'd avoid these kinds of statements)

    Thank you for letting me divide the sexes because I think there really is a difference. devil

    John
    Posted 7/28/2013 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
    Well I guess dividing the sexes does help to see what would make your husband feel better. I know for me though as a female with UC who has put a lot of stress into her family's life, a hug is always welcomed. Does not have to come with questions or comments just the warmth of another body reminding me I am still important and loved. wink https://www.healingwell.com/community/emoticons/wink.gif
    Posted 7/28/2013 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
    Hello INEEDHELP,

    if your husband has just been diagnosed with UC and you are mentioning the symptoms you do see, then he's probably not yet comfortable telling you about the symptoms you don't see. Be patient, especially if this is his first flare-up where he knows what the hell is happening.

    He'll gradually come to accept the symptoms related to UC and will open up about what's happening to him. Right now he's probably not himself and he's struggling to get from hour to hour hoping he can get back to being himself. Don't take it personally. My first flare-up after diagnosis took place during my tropical island wedding. My wife asked me recently where I'd like to go on vacation and I said back to the island. She asked why as we had been there less than a year ago and I responded that I didn't get to enjoy it because of UC...she was shocked because she didn't know the full extent of my symptoms (unlike now cause I share everything).

    If you're loving and supporting while he is far from himself he'll eventually open up. You'll see.

    Good luck...and remember you're not the problem...UC is.
    Posted 7/28/2013 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
    Get him on prednisone to get him in remission and go from there. Many here hate Pred but it can get things under control while you try to figure out what what will keep him in remission. The meds you listed can maintain remission but I doubt they can get him in remission.
    Posted 7/28/2013 9:53 AM (GMT 0)
    First of all, what his condition is like? Is he making too many trips to the restroom? Is he pooping blood? You got to explain this (will be good if you keep caps lock off, we have ALL been through this).

    If running to restroom too many times, get him Bentyl 20mg 3X a day (until you get Bentyl prescription and get it filled, use Imodium). This will help him keep his BMs in check. It will also help him retaining rectal meds (Take an hour before rectal meds admnistration).
    If he is pooping blood and if he is not on Pred, get him Prednisone. If your insurance is great, use Uceris (500X price difference).

    He may not feel like eating, still give him some light food like rice/toast etc. To keep his electrolytes in check, get him some energy drinks (without caffeine preferred).
    Start him on multivitamin right away and megadoses of Vit.B12 (1000mcg 3X a day or so). Ask his GI what else can be done.
    For Hemorrhoids, I personally found Analpram Advanced Kit pretty darn good. Talk about it to his GI.


    Meanwhile, this is important, really, spend as much time you have on this board just reading all threads and making notes. Keep an eye on our signatures. Many people use supplements, list them, research them and start those fit your husband's bill. Everyone does not need every supplement, so don't be a supplement junkie. It will take you good 2 months if you read the questions and the follow-up posts religiously. And ALWAYS search before you post. There is a pretty good chance that the topic has been covered in the past.
    This board is loaded with information, every minute you spend here reading will pay off in the long run.



    @lookforcure,
    I would love to know the toothpaste without SLS. If you use any, please post the names (links welcome too).
    Posted 7/28/2013 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
    Deltaforce,
    Here are some of the toothpastes free of SLS that I used myself and liked :
    Xyliwhite by Now brand
    Power Smile by Jason and Jason Sea-Fresh(flouride-free-SLS-free)
    Earthpaste Natural Toothpaste Peppermint by Redmond Trading Company (Ingredients: Purified water, Food Grade Redmond Clay®, xylitol, peppermint essential oil, Redmond Real Salt®, tea tree oil.
    You can buy them:
    www.iherb.com
    www.vitacost.com
    www.swansonvitamins.com
    www.puritan.com
    Posted 7/28/2013 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
    Are you shouting at him constantly like with us? That might make me agitated, too ;)

    I completely agree with the list of questions JohnPhx wrote--Keep convo on other things until HE wants to talk about symptoms/disease.

    I often get irritated when my family is trying to help because I don't want to talk. One thing I think has really helped has been for my family to email me (even though we live together) to communicate. It means I can respond when I'm feeling less grumpy, but they still can say and ask what they need to. Try writing to him instead of just talking...that might help.
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