New to this--uncertain--my story

In April/2016 I was diagnosed with severe colitis. I was hospitalized 4 days and Iv'd Flagyl and some other antibiotic. I quit smoking after 40 years at this time(I read nicotine inhibits UC). The hospitalist said I had an autoimmune disorder but the specialists said it was just an infection. The specialist said the colonoscopy confirmed it was an infection.

The gnarly bloody/tissuey/mucuousy stools stopped but I have not a had solid BM since. I go multiple times per day. Prior I was 1x in the morning. But hey, lots of people go several times per day.

I had a low level stomach cramp and did not feel myself--anxious/lack of concentration/memory probs/no more elan. So the specialist said I had post infectious IBS. I looked it up--sure enough it is real and 70% of the people who get it get all better in 5-7 years. Irritated, I thought, oh great I get to live with this now. Dicyclomine didn't help so I stopped it and I am taking buspar to this day. I've tried to stop it but I do feel it when I do. Another colonoscopy in 11/16 was uneventful--remove polyps and some evidence of diverticulitis.

So from the summer/2016 to 12/17 life went on with me "getting used to" my situation. That is, just not me but operating about 80-90% of capacity. Diminished memory/concentration/energy/stamina etc. In 12/17 I had about a month of bloody/tissue stools multiple times per day and felt ill. It went away.

In April/2018 it returned with a vengeance. I scheduled appointment with a specialist and scheduled for July/2018. By early June I was at my wits end. Got into another GI on 6/13, did a colonoscopy on 6/20 and for the first time I was diagnosed with UC. Mild and restricted to lower colon. *For those with severe I can only sympathize considering my dismay,aggravation and apprehension.

Doctor rx'd 3 800 mg mesalamine pills/day, rowasa enema, and colocort. I admit I did not take as prescribed, rather, I kinda did my own thing. It all helped but I did not get better. BM symptoms improved and I have had good days here or there. But, whenever I would exert myself either physically(round of golf or yardwork) or mentally(important stuff at work) I would be zapped of energy. I come home from work a couple times per week to take a nap. I go in late. I am operating around 50-60% capacity. July was ok but BM symptoms returned practically the day after my 8/6/18 Dr visit. Saw the dr Friday and he said no more enemas and he is prescribing Uceris and Imuran. He says this is the next level up.

He thinks that I have a mild to moderate case. I am going to say this again--for those with moderate to severe you have my utmost sympathy.

Not sure what I am needing/wanting/asking? The forums have been very helpful but it seems that literally every person's situation is different and there is a blizzard of treatments/options/considerations, etc. I will say this--I want my energy and concentration back. I could live with the rest.

I pray I can get to my pre UC, just post infection IBS days. That would be wonderful in comparison. I can't imagine getting back to pre April/2016 days or what is described here as full remission.

Sorry for the long windedness. God Bless.

It sounds like you've been through a lot. Read too many stories over the years of multiple attempts at a diagnosis, like yours.

Fatigue can be from the uc flare, from anemia, from low vitamins b, b12, and d, or some combination thereof. You can ask your doctor for blood tests for those. We're much more prone to be anemic, and have low vitamins then the general population (not guaranteed but just higher chance of).

If you've been on 4.8 grams oral and 4.0 grams rectal mesalamines concurrently and not achieved a remussion then do consider imuran as an addition.

Being a mild case is pretty much irrelevant if you cannot easily achieve and sustain a remission. You're struggling as much as severe cases do.