what are your symptoms of UC?

I am going for a flexible sigmoidoscopy next week to see what it is exactly that I have .. it started about a month ago. lower abdominal pain and rectal pain when passing stool but it stops as soon as I'm done. there's also small traces of blood on the stool sometimes. but not every time. there is however noticeable mucus every time. I also have continuous urgency to go but sometimes only little small pebble like stool comes out or nothing but mucus . just curious if this sounds like UC or not

Your symptoms sound like what I had before my UC spread. I originally had left sided colitis with very little symptoms. The only reason I knew something was wrong was that I was pooping blood and mucus. I had some cramping when I went to the bathroom but it went away when I was done. Also had the little pebbles you're taking about. Then I was put on Lialda and Canasa and that's when it all went downhill. I was intolerant to the mesalamines and I started having HORRIBLE cramping and urgency. Got another colonoscopy and found I had severe pancolitis. My GI said it was the worst case he's seen and the fact that it got so bad so fast was crazy.

So based on my experience I'd say yes you have UC because that's how mine used to be. Consider yourself lucky that it's not horrible. If I could go back to the days before it spread I'd be so happy.

sweeney,

Welcome to the forum.
I hope you find out it's not UC.

Curious as to why just flex and not colonoscopy?

wow.. so many responses! thank you all so much! I am so sorry to hear some of your stories! I have not had any slaughtered pig incidents and I will probably pass out on the bathroom floor if I see that! haha. I also do not have diarrhea and I know that is the main symptom for a lot of these gi disorders but I do hear a lot of people that never had that symptom as well so maybe I'm one of the lucky ones? also.. i sometimes have 'normal' sized stools other times its the pebbles. last night i was pretty gassy:/ and had crazy rumbling in my upper middle abdomen. sometimes that area is kind of tender as well. my left side is also tender at times when i press on it. insofia.. I'm not sure why he is opting for a flex. sig than a full colonoscopy. I believe it's Because it doesn't require the same extent of preparation. and we already had to wait 8-10 days to do the sigmoidoscopy because I had a laparoscopy done on the 3rd of December (ovarian cyst removed) and he wanted to allow time to heal before prepping for a sigmoidoscopy.

well guys I went for my flex. sig. today which I hated the enemas ad the procedure but its over now! doc said I do not have ulcerative colitis or cancer (woo-sah!) but there are red spots on my lower sigmoid colon from irritation and I have a small hemmie. (may explain symptoms) . he ordered blood work and a stool sample to rule out infection. I will update after those come back;)

Mine started with diarrhea and blood in my stool and frequent trips to the bathroom (started about 3 times a day and escalated after that) also alot of gas when I ate beans or soy burgers or anything gasey. To me personally it doesnt sound like UC, and for your sake I hope not, just keep a positive mind set on God and get it figured out ASAP. I waited almost a month to get a colonoscopy done and tried to heal whatever I had naturally with herbs and major diet changes (was already eating healthy at that) and it was the worst idea I've had in my short 21 year old life. Ended up racking up on alota of bills, going through alot of pain and sleepless nights and 4 days in the hospital, good luck and may God be with you!!