I broke down on the way to work today...

Thanks everyone - I'm feeling shattered today, bloated and gassy but not so much pain thankfully!

I treated myself to a bowl of mash potato and cheese last night which was wonderful!

The GI I saw said if the Imuran doesn't work, then there's another tablet to try (I forget the name) before biologics, which is a shame as I've read good things about biologics.

I don't have a date for the scope/MRI yet, and when I pressed the nurse about it she said if the doctor said he'll organise it then he'll organise it. I also have to ask again about seeing a dietician when I go to my next appointment.

As I was only off Pred for a matter of days before going back on it, the moonface has returned quicker than usual. I'm really thirsty with this round of it, too, so I'm drinking loads of water. I'm staying away from fizzy drinks (even though they make me feel better!) and keeping salt intake down as usual. Still relying on cup-a-soup for lunch :-/

I've had a look at ihaveuc and it is definitely better to hear it from other people battling the same things - that's why this site is so good. The GI's can say all they want, but sometimes it does just feel like they want to get you out of the office as fast as they can!

I'm starting back at the gym Thursday - I figure I'll have been on everything for a week so it's a good time to start. Just gentle cardio and light weights though - nothing too extreme yet!

I'm not taking olsalazine anymore due to interactions with azathioprine, I prefer to use the enemas rather than suppositories, as with quite harsh proctitis at the moment I can't actually get the suppositories in! That's something I've never experienced before! I will ask about steroid enemas at my next appointment, and some kind of bone-density test, as this is my third course of pred in 13 months, and I spent 11 years on Depo-Provera (contraceptive inj) which causes bone density issues, so I think I should get that checked.

I'm also going to ask my GP for the 'non-live' vaccinations...

I'll keep you posted, and many thanks again for the never-ending support

Have you been properly tested for c diff? The really terrible smell and very quick descent into passing lots of blood can be a sign of it - can also feel flu-like when it starts off.

You are not alone, I broke down in my car today, too, due to the devastating effects of this disease my daughter has to live with. She was exhausted after doing community service for 4 hours. She will spend all day Sunday in bed resting. Besides school and the few extra activities she does, she is soo tired all the time. She is not living the life a healthy teenager lives. She tries her best but isn't the same person she was before UC. She started therapy with a psychologist and he suggested the meditation podcasts. They really seem to work. She has also been listening to tons of her favorite music. I think it must be helping her take her mind off things.

Good luck with Pred and Imuran kicking in.

A stool test should be a standard request whenever your uc symptoms get dramatically worse. Cdiff mirrors uc symptoms, but responds to antibiotics (or fmt), and not to uc medications including prednisone.

C Diff and other pathogen testing is supposed to be in the protocol for every new flare. In the UK IBD is managed at the secondary, not primary care level so a lot of GPs seem behind on this and sadly even a lot of gastro departments don't seem to follow the protocol. C diff is a hard bug to pick up from samples if it is the standard toxin test. It's recommended to test 3 to 4 days in a row and samples should be tested quickly and kept cool - it's really hard to get that properly done in the UK too.

If you are noticing a dreadful smell and things not clearing up with steroids that is often a sign of an infection/pathogen so do follow it up if you still have those symptoms

LondonLurker - I thought it was odd I've never been tested for anything, but then I shouldn't be surprised, since being diagnosed I've never had a full scope, only two flexi-sigs! I'll definitely chase it up..

Acetron - I'm not entirely sure if I tried Asacol HD, but I will go through my notes later and have a look. I hated the mesalazine effects, the headaches were crippling. I'm down to 30mg pred at the mo, and taking 100mg Imuran, suffering with a big face and neck, massive thirst and a dry, 'sloughy' mouth, but only visiting the loo twice a day, and very little gas/cramps, just a little discomfort before a BM..

What a nightmarish thing this is. Thanks again for everyone's support!

NBT, thank you for your reply.

I'm supposed to start work at 8.00am, luckily my line manager has been very understanding, and as long as I get here and make the time up, it seems to be Ok, but the mornings are definitely the worst, and it doesn't matter how much earlier I get up, I'm still late, and then have to be sure I'll manage the drive (double edged sword as the traffic gets worse the later I leave!).

I had my hormone levels checked a while ago following menopausal-like symptoms, they were the opposite to what was expected, but that was put down to contraception, and I've thought nothing of it since!

The pred are working, thankfully, though I know it's not a long term solution, I can almost feel my body not enjoying taking them, but hopefully the Imuran will take over when I stop the pred..!

I've not had dairy for a couple of years, though like you it is easy to slip up sometimes, and I have an incredible sweet tooth and dairy free chocolate is so expensive! But I manage with soya yogurts etc, and vegan cheese, which is Ok, but not a patch on the 'real' thing..! (I used to eat cheese all the time!). I don't notice any massive issues if I inadvertently eat dairy though, so I guess I'm quite lucky in that respect. I haven't cut out gluten as I don't seem to be bothered by it. My biggest issues are raw vegetables (no salads for me!), tomato seeds even if cooked, and animal proteins, though eggs I can tolerate.

Potato and pasta is my absolute safe food, so if in doubt, that's what I go for!

I've steered clear of caffeine for so long, but have bought myself a little jar of coffee for the office and will be giving that a go soon - I used to find cans of coke eased my symptoms no end, but then was told to stop drinking it as it wouldn't be helping.. I think I may go back to that, too!

Many thanks again NBT, I hope you're doing Ok