Am I in full remission?

Hi I am 16 years old and was diagnosed with UC two years ago and in that time I have had three flares. My first flare I was put on prednisolone 80mg's, and asacol then on my second flare I was put on 40mg's of prednisolone and 75mg's of azathioprine and asacol. This current flare I have just had I was put on 40mg's of prednisolone, 125mg's of azathioprine and asacol. I was put on 40mg's of prednisolone for one week and was told to reduce that to 30mg's however when I did so I went back into a flare so that was increased to 40mg's for an extra two weeks gradually decreasing that by 5mg's every week. I am now currently on 25mg's of steroids which will be reduced to 20mg's tomorrow. However, although I haven't had any loose stools or blood I am still worried I am not completely better. The reason for this is because I have gas pains which I never had when I was in remission and I am also going to the toilet nearly every day or every other day (the stools are hard), although this is probably normal for some people, I when in remission previously was usually constipated and my normal habit was going to the toilet once a week or once every two weeks. This probably seems very unhealthy but that is what was normal for me. I also have a feeling of a very full stomach which needs me to go to the toilet to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling. I have told my doctor about all this but he doesn't seem to find any of this worrying So I was just wondering that although I have hard stools is there any chance that my colon is not completely healed and that when I come off the steroids I will eventually go into a flare. Thankyou, for taking the time to read my post and I am sorry if I am being stupid. I look forward to reading your replies. Thankyou.

Hi Lilacmagic,

I just wanted to say that you're so young to be dealing with this. I was told I didn't have any UC after 6 weeks on asacol and rowasa and so I quit my meds the day the doctor said it was all gone. Actually he was amazed by my results in 6 weeks. He said I could get off the medication. He was a rectal doctor and maybe he didn't know I needed to take remission dosage. But I knew something still was not right b/c my stools were urgent and not formed. I've basically have been in a flare for two years now. Although, right now, I'm not on medication by a MD, I'm working with a naturalpath.

What caused your UC do you think?

and I hate steroids they make me feel so sick and the side effects are just as bad.

Lilac - I, too, am very sorry that you have to deal with this at such a young age.

It's interesting that you mention how your bowel habits have changed. Mine did, too. Before UC (I was diagnosed at 31), I would have one bowel movement every two to three days. After my UC diagnosis, when I am in remission, I have one to two bowel movements every single day. And I do consider that remission. Also, I have more gas now than I ever did before UC, even while in remission.

UC has definitely changed my bowel habits -- even during remission.

I've asked my GI about this, and he said that UC changes your large intestine forever. Remission is good and symptom-free, but it is unlikely that it is a complete return to absolute normalcy. You just have to find what your "normal" is now, after UC.

Good luck to you and hang in there.