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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/28/2016 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
I have been suffering with diarhea with mucus and blood on and off for a while with very low down abdomen pain. My Dr has done blood tests because she suspects it could be IBD. This week I have been eating very little just to try to slow everything just sticking to yoghurt and banana but still blood and lots of mucus (sorry to be graphic)! I was going to brave trying g a piece of salmon tonight but not sure if it's a good idea. Any advice on what I can do to try and just settle the symptoms a little bit? All my Dr gave me is cocodamol because she didn't want to give anything else until the tests come back.... I've just bought some turmeric, vitamin c and fish oil after reading some of the older posts on here but just wondering if anyone has any advice for me until my tests come back (feeling cry)

Thanks

Lou
Posted 5/28/2016 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...is she setting you up for a colonoscopy? because a blood test won't confirm. Have you had stool sample testing done?

How much fish oil and vitamin C are you taking?

Is this a gastroenterologist you're seeing or your GP?

welcome to the forum.

q
Posted 5/28/2016 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Heather,

Thanks for the reply.

It's my GP, she said she is doing a blood test to check full blood count and for inflammation. She hasn't mentioned a colonoscopy but I am due to go back to the Dr's next week. When I seen her yesterday she just gave me cocodamol and said if I feel worse go to the out of hours. I'm a bit concerned because when I last went it was loose stools with jelly like blood clots. Just don't want to be eating or taking anything that could be making it worse. I'm taking 1000mg of vit c and 1100mg of fish oil. Forgot to say I am also taking bioglan ultimate flora probiotics.

Lou
Posted 5/28/2016 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
A colonoscopy with biopsies is the standard method of diagnosing uc. Also a stool test showing no pathogenic causes is part of the diagnosis. A gastroenterologist-specialist should order these tests. Infectious causes can result in blood, mucus, diarrhea (such as c-diff), so a negative result is necessary for an IBD diagnosis like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's. Ask for these tests, if they haven't been prescribed.

For now, eat cooked, bland non spicy foods. Avoid high fiber, alcohol, and caffeine. A hot water bottle on your abdomen will be your new best friend, it helps temporarily relieve aches and pains.

I hope you have a cause other than inflammatory bowel disease. Infectious variety are one time episodes that clear up after use of a medication and rarely return. IBD is another ballgame....
Posted 5/28/2016 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Don't stop eating, that will reduce your strength. I agree with low fiber, no alcohol and no caffeine.These can makes symptoms worse. Fish oil, while good for many, can cause loose stools and sometimes urgency. Oil in general (fish, olive, etc), while anti-inflammatory, can cause BM's to happen. This is good when there is constipation but not so good when you have too many BM's.

So IMO have some salmon, skip salad and eat cooked veggies like green beans, spinach or carrots
Potatoes have always made my gut happy (resistant starch is known to help UC symptoms).

You'll need a colonoscopy to get a definitive diagnosis of UC. If you do have UC ask for mesalamine enemas right away which will help stop bleeding. If your GI says "no" to enemas get a new GI (assuming you have UC).

Keep eating protein especially and drinking water and other non-caffeine drinks.
Hope you find out it's not UC after all but if it is it's not the end of the world. We are all surviving and making the best of it.
Posted 5/29/2016 9:03 AM (GMT 0)
My GP did order a stool test and will hopefully get the results next week along with the blood tests. When I see my Doctor next week I'm going to ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist although I think there's probably a 6 month waiting list to see one here in the UK.

I'm going to try and find my hot water bottle, that's a good idea. I will skip the fish oil and have some salmon and veg for dinner tonight. Maybe try some mashed potatoes for lunch. Been having bananas for breakfast but might give them a miss because I think they might be aggravating it. Thank you so much for the advice - I really appreciate it.

Thanks

Lou
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