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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/16/2015 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
I had a routine colonoscopy shortly after I turned 50 (2011) and was told I had inflammation in the colon. The dr. wanted to put me on medication but having no symptoms at all, I declined.

Late last year I starting experiencing regular bouts of diarrhea and went back to the GI in Feb 2015. Blood work normal, stool tests were negative. A 2nd colonoscopy again revealed inflammation.

Was put on Lialda (4 pills a day) and Florastor (2 a day). No side effects and not having diarrhea but no formed bm's either. I usually have only one bm a day but its always a bit soft and broken in pieces. Been trying to take in more natural fiber as the dr. suggested but no change.

I'm not experiencing pain or blood (perhaps a little mucous is evident). Haven't had a typical formed bm in months. I used to be able to crank out large solid ones.

Should I be concerned?
Posted 8/16/2015 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Nothing to be concerned about. Having ulcerative colitis often changes the consistency of your bms to a bit softer, than pre-uc. Taking Metamucil can firm up your bms more, and make them more consistent.
Posted 8/16/2015 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Did they diagnose you with anything? I'm surprised they didn't give you a round of prednisone, which might have completely cleared up the situation. I question your care so far.
Posted 8/16/2015 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. said it was colitis, that I had inflammation in three separate pockets of the colon.
Posted 8/16/2015 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Was it ulcerative colitis or simply colitis? Colitis is usually a short term inflammation of the colon, usually with a known cause and is usually curable. Ulcerative colitis is colitis with no known cause and it is a life long chronic condition with no cure, treatments only. There is actually a big difference. I don't think your doctors have done you right so far.
Posted 8/16/2015 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
He uses the term ulcerative colitis. My symptoms are not chronic as I've described above, I'm just not able to produce a formed stool.
Posted 8/16/2015 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
He really should have tried a round of prednisone.
Posted 8/17/2015 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Whatever you do, stay on the meds. If this is as bad as it gets for you and you caught it early, great!
Posted 8/17/2015 3:00 PM (GMT 0)

garylouisville said...
Did they diagnose you with anything? I'm surprised they didn't give you a round of prednisone, which might have completely cleared up the situation. I question your care so far.

Ignore this post, this is dreadful advice.

I have a higher opinion of doctors who don't dole out the pred like it was candy. It means that a) they're not looking for the quick fix and b) they might actually know something about steroids.

Just to add: topic creator, your doc put you on the right type of med for UC. The loose stool isn't anything to worry about; IBD tends to change bowel habits even when people are in remission. As far as pred is concerned, save it for a serious flare-up. It will still ultimately be a waste of time, because pred always is, but at least you'll get short-term relief. There is absolutely no point in taking pred when your symptoms are this mild. There is literally nothing to be gained by it and potentially quite a bit to lose.

Post Edited (NiceCupOfTea) : 8/17/2015 9:24:11 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/17/2015 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your input. I'll continue watching what I eat and hoping for the best.
Posted 8/17/2015 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
kc616- When I take the maximum dose of Lialda my stool tends to be softer like yours is. I am on the maintenance dose of 2 pills per day but that was after a year of no symptoms.
Posted 8/17/2015 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...do you have a copy of your biopsies pathology report? If not, get it.

Where exactly is the location of your diagnosed UC?

q
Posted 8/17/2015 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have a copy but I remember the Dr. telling me I have a patch of inflammation on the left, center and right of the colon.
Posted 8/17/2015 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
rectally as well?

Doesn't sound like UC. Maybe you misunderstood the term he used?

q
Posted 8/17/2015 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
ulcerative colitis tends to be continuous whereas other colitis or chrohns may or may not be patchy.
Make sure to keep taking the lialda and do not go off of it as you don't want your inflammation to get worse and need to take prednisone or steroids( they are really hard to deal with)
Don't worry about the consistency but if you add fiber or stool softeners make sure you up your water intake accordingly as you don't want to get constipated or dehydrated
Posted 9/8/2015 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Spent the last three weeks following Dr's instructions, increased natural fiber (fruit and vegetables), down to one cup of coffee every two days (the milk in the coffee is my only dairy) because I really enjoy it. No more carbonated drinks, only water. No alcohol. Lean chicken or turkey, no red meats.

I still cannot produce a formed bowel movement. I'm a chronic worrier. Will these symptoms get worse? I see the Dr again in early October.
Posted 9/8/2015 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
If your meds are not good enough to get you to or keep you in remission, you will get worse and it really looks like you aren't on enough meds. Once colon damage is done it takes a long time to heal and sometimes it never heals. You should also be on rectal meds and a short course of prednisone. I'm surprised the doctor talked to you about diet. Since all patients are different it is hard to give diet advice because what works in one does not work in another and can make another worse. Increasing fruits and veggies and taking Florastor would make me worse, although most all of us do better taking some kind of mega dose probiotic. Dairy and carbonated drinks and red meats do not bother me at all. Chronic worriers can fare worse.
Posted 9/8/2015 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
Is it a big deal? well, yes and no. If it is ulcerative colitis, that is a terrible thing and it's chronic. It sounds like you need a better explanation of what is going on. What they told you sort of sounds like maybe it's UC but maybe it's colitis and not chronic. The one thing I don't like is that you do not know. You should see if you can sit down with your doctor and go over the scope results. It should clearly state in there whether you have UC or not. If it is UC, it is a big deal. Once a day is great but soft stools are a sign of inflammation. If it stays mild, like it sounds, you could go on forever with soft stools and no real issues. It could also progress to where it's not mild and you're having 20 BMs a day with pain, blood and D. It could also eventually cause your colon to develop cancer if you allow the inflammation to persist forever. In mild cases, I am sure that is extremely rare. People with UC should get frequent scopes - especially after having the illness for a few years.
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