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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/14/2013 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello

I'm Kal, I don't have UC but my partner does, he was diagnosed with it a little over a year ago. This may get rather TMI for some, sorry about that.

I'm looking for advice, I suppose. We need to know if it's normal.

My partner has flare ups quite often. His doctor told him that his obsessive drinking of soda is what bought UC to him, not sure how true that is but there you go.

When he has flare ups, he becomes a horrible person, short tempered and generally unpleasant to be around (grumpy). His eyes get stabbing pains, his joints hurt and ache and his heart goes all "weird" on him.

He is currently at a BMI of 16. We don't know how to make him put on weight.

He has bottles of something called Balsalazide Disodium in capsule form, his doctor told him to take it all the time however, when he was flaring he is to self medicate as needed (up or lower the dosage depending on how he felt), unfortunately, and as much as I love my partner.. he is an idiot and will take a stupid dose (like 5 - 7) at a time, he does not take them at any other time. Just 1 large dose per day when flaring. (Upon rereading that I realize how mean that must come across. I don't mean it as such, it's just very frustrating watching him take his medication like that when his doctor made it quite clear he had to introduce it slowly and stop it slowly).

He hasn't had a solid BM for years. He can't remember the last time. It's gotten to the point now where he no longer wants to attend tae kwon do in case he has an accident.

I guess what I'm asking is.. is this normal for this disease? he's in Australia with me now, not the US so.. should we see a new doctor? is there more he can do for his issue? would him drinking water instead of soda or sugar laden drinks make any difference?

He and I are both at a loss here and just need some friendly advice.

Sorry this was so long D:

Edit: I just remembered, that he also gets... constipation and diarrhea.. at the same time. So, he has diarrhea, but he can't get it out, sometimes it can take all day.

Post Edited (Kalith) : 12/14/2013 7:18:44 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/14/2013 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kalith, I'm sorry to hear about your struggles with your partner's health.

All of what you have described as far as symptoms go sounds normal. I do not know off hand what Balsalazide Disodium is, but I am sure someone else will help with that here today (lots of VERY helpful people on here). For some of the medications used to treat this disease a dose of 6 or seven pills is not completely unheard of. I've taken a drug called Pentasa before that I had to take 16 pills a day of. I usually took it in four sets of four pills... but once in a while I ended up taking eight at a time.

Anyways, It is hell to have this disease in its active form. However, I think your partner should be able to at least recognize the effects his grumpiness/irritability is having on you, and withhold some of that aggression while he takes steps to heal himself.

There are a lot of medical options for this disease. Please see a new doctor, one that will give you better treatment. This disease needs highly educated physicians treating continuously. It is not likely that just drinking soda gave your partner the disease honestly.

If you are in Australia you have access to a set of physicians that are highly sought after by many here in the states. Please see their website: http://www.cdd.com.au/ If they are not right for your partner I certainly bet they could help you find someone who is.

If I told my present Gastrointestinal Doctor that I'd been to see someone who gave me some meds, told me to self medicate, and that said everything was because I'd drank soda... he would most likely be furious at that person. This was not a professional approach to your partner's problem, and you will be amazed at what a better doctor will be able to do for you guys.

It is very likely that your partner will be able to find complete relief with proper medication.

There is hope. :)
Posted 12/14/2013 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much, just hearing that has made me a little more hopeful.

I know, I feel bad for saying it as I did about him being grumpy.. of course he is, he's in pain :<

Thank you for the link, I will get onto them on Monday :D
Posted 12/14/2013 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
He should definitely get with a doctor. I think it is crazy, ludicrous, to suggest that overdrinking of sodas brought on his condition. That's pretty near impossible. However, once you do have this condition, there is plenty of evidence that drinking sodas at all is bad for our condition. Having said that, everyone is different and sodas actually don't bother me at all, although I probably only drink 2-3 per week at the most. Maybe not even that. I hope your partner is on board with all this because when it comes down to it, these are his decisions and not yours, even if he is making the wrong decisions.
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