Remission?!

Hi all. I've had UC since 2014, and have never truly been in remission. That said, my clinical symptoms are mild - I usually only go once a day, and have never really seen blood, but my stool is normally soft and mushy. For the last 5 years, my treatment has been Imuran and Mesalazine granules. And my Calprotectin scores generally hovered in the 4-500 range.

In December 2020, my gastro upped my Imuran to 100mg a day (2 pills). And though I had a calprotectin spike following the vaccines (I realize this is not necessarily related), over the last half of 2021 I saw my calprotectin scores coming down. First, to the 200s, then recently 120 - the lowest I've ever seen it.

I had a colonoscopy yesterday, and the Gastro said my colon looked "spectacular" but I must add, I was awake the whole time watching, and I thought I saw some mild inflammation, but then I don't look at colons every day like he does! He declared on the post-visit report that my UC is "quiescent" or "in remission."

I am glad to hear this, of course, but somewhat dubious. My stools haven't changed at all and I'd hardly call them "normal." Is this truly "remission" ... I would have thought maybe I've gone from "mild-moderate" to just "mild." And will the biopsies tell the true tale?

Thanks for any experience you can share.

DeWayne

I also want to say that fiber can help bulk up your stool -- either through diet or a fiber supplement.

the older i get, the more i notice things getting softer and mushier - works for me

The biopsies will tell all. Did he not have any reason for your elevated calprotectin numbers?

I eat to make a softer stool. You could add probiotics and fibre supplement to your intake.
Looking forward to your update...

q

My gastroenterologist says 90% of patients "in remission" will show microscopic inflammation on a biopsy. He also doesn't get too concerned about calprotectin until it goes over 200 (although it depends on what's normal for an individual).