I'm always anemic - way worse when flaring, but even on my best days, I maybe pull a 32. The 6 MP I know contributes to that...any chance that the Remicade impacts it, too?...
I always have to start at 60mg. I used to start at 40mg, but that just doesn't do it for me anymore. And I do the same taper - down by 10mg a week until 20 mg, then down by 5 mg a week. It's a long...
Oh, Charlotte, I feel your pain! I did Movi Prep this summer with a 6 month old and a 2 year old. So not fun. If possible, I would find someone to help you out with the twins the afternoon/evening of...
Oops, and congratulations!!! SO exciting....
I saw a regular OB, but I wasn't diagnosed until I was pregnant, so that doesn't really count. His daughter has UC, though, so he was a great source of info. I'm pretty sure I'll stick with him if I...
Love, love, love my NP. Like my doctor, too, but my NP is really great. If things are really bad (after I'm out of the hospital, etc.), I'll insist on the doc, but typically I'm just as happy with my...
Hi Elaine - Just wanted to add my two cents! I started 6 MP in October, and feel the best I've felt since being diagnosed. It did take me a few months to feel great - I, too, was weaning off the...
Just south of Boston, MA, USA...
So sorry to hear that your feelings were so hurt (and I don't blame you!). Like yours, my husband is usually very understanding and wonderful, but he, too, sometimes comes out with some things that...
I took accutane many years before I was diagnosed with UC -whether it triggered my UC or not, I can't say, but 5 years went by with no hint of UC. I think we can drive ourselves crazy trying to...
Scrapbooking! It is my total escape. I do the traditional format- but that probably wouldn't work with your hands, but you can do everything digitally now, too....
When I'm bleeding, I always up my Canasa suppositories first (go to 2 a day), and hope for the best. If the bleeding continues, I start the prednisone. That has worked well for me so far....
So sorry to hear you're feeling bad. Totally hear you about feeling gross about how you look. I had bad acne, too, went on accutane before I got married, and have enjoyed great skin until stupid...
Hi, and welcome! My guess is that you will stay on the Asacol at your current dosage - I was on Asacol, am now on Lialda, which has the same active drug. The prednisone your doc. will most likely...
I'm finding that it takes me a while to "bounce back" after a flare. I know what you mean - the BMs are pretty normal, no blood, mucous, etc., just all those lingering side effects. The fatigue is...
Boston, MA USA :)...
I don't blame you for worrying, but try not to worry too much. I definitely wouldn't change my decision to have had either of my girls, even with the chance that they may develop UC. Haven't heard of...
I was actually diagnosed when I was 6 months pregnant. Prednisone brought me into remission pretty quickly, but then I had a really bad flare about 8 weeks postpartum. Ended up in the hospital for...
Thanks for taking the time to update us on your good news! Nice to hear that you are feeling well - hope it continues for you!...
Just curious if you've tried prednisone before? Totally personal choice - I know it can be nasty, and I've dealt with my share of side effects, but it has been a lifesaver to me. Stress management...
I think it's a toss up - sometimes they help, and sometimes they hurt. I was put on flagyl near the start of my last flare, and I think it made things a lot worse. It could have been coincidence,...
Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, but welcome! I joined recently, too - it's a great site with tons of great resources. Stinks that you've been hit with such a hard flare so early in your...
Oh, I feel your IV pain. My veins are terrible, too. They look fine, and every nurse thinks that it's going to be no problem, and then 4 tries later they admit that I was right. Had my first full...
This may not be the case for you, but my GI told me that even though I was seeing whole tablets, it was actually being absorbed. He said that if you reached in with gloves and examined the pill, you...
So good to keep hearing the good news, and so happy for your family! :)...
Sorry to hear that you're feeling so yucky. Hope it helps a little to know that we can relate! Totally with you - hate the rollercoaster. If you can, try to do the girl's weekend. I did one to New...
Congratulations on your pregnancy! I was diagnosed with UC when I was pregnant with my second child, and was on Asacol and Canasa through the rest of my pregnancy, and through nursing as well. My...
Lots of foods taste funny to me when I get thrush, too. Even just plain water! Is bread the only thing tasting funny?...
Wish I could do or say something that would help. All I can do is send good thought your way, and hope that everything works out for you. Hang in there....
Hi Bob, I love these posts - it's so nice to hear everyone's stories. Glad to hear that things seem to be on the upswing for you. I know everyone here has been very concerned. My name is Beth, and...
My last bout of pred. gave me steroid myopathy, which may be what you're experiencing. My legs felt like blocks of cement - was barely able to walk up stairs because it took such effort. My GI told...
I work full time as a teacher (although had been off for several months on leave b/c of UC - will return in September). My principal has been really great - letting me come in late, leave early,...
The only time I really needed meds for the pain was during my last flare when I was hospitalized - they had me on IV Dilaudid, then switched to pill form when I went home. Only used it when the pain...
Hi - just recently (in the past couple of weeks) switched from Asacol to Lialda. Asacol was working fine, but wasn't seeming to keep me in remission for long, so my GI figured it was worth a try. I...
During my flares, I'm up most of the night, too. I used Canasa suppositories right before bed, and that usually got me at least a few solid hours of sleep before the hourly trips to the bathroom...
I have had a terrible time with vomiting during flares. I didn't have the same frequency as you, but it was really violent. They did not think it was med related, although it did get much worse with...
I would definitely talk with your primary care doc. After my last hospitalization, I was so confused. In the hospital I had been dealing with a thoracic surgeon, a cardiologist, a hospitalist, and of...
30 now, and just diagnosed this past year...
Hi Kevin, I've been on prednisone a few times, and have had lots of the side effects, but my mood has never been TOO affected by it (although my husband will tell you otherwise). I'm not sure if...
My doc has told me not to double up if it's only an occasional miss. However, I habitually missed that midday dose after I had my last baby, and I swear that led me to my major flare (well, I'm sure...
Hi there... Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I wish I could give you specific things to eat, but you'll quickly find that some things will bother you that don't bother others, and vice versa. I...
One more suggestion - call your GI and see if he can give you some sample packs of Lialda. My doc just changed me over to that from Asacol, and gave me several sample packs he had at the office....
On a side note, if you do decide on the antibiotics, you may want to arrange to be induced. They didn't get my friend the antibiotics in time, because she delivered pretty much right when she got to...
I have also heard great things about the MGH Colitis Center. My mom is a nurse in the area, and all of her doctor friends recommend it. I'm not there yet - I'm happy with my doctor now, and don't...
My GI has a good way of looking at surgery (in my opinion!). He says that it's always good to keep that as an option, but to go there only when you're completely ready and have exhausted other...
That really stinks... Hang in there, and wishing you lots of luck with your appointment tomorrow!...
Hello! I am also newly diagnosed, so I'm still trying to figure all this out, too, but I'll give you my thoughts... I'm just coming out of a flare as well, and I am now completely overanalyzing...
Hello! 30 year old female from Boston - diagnosed this past October when I was about 6 months pregnant with my second child. My OB was wonderful - his daughter has UC, so he was a great resource, and...
REALLY hope it's the period and hormones...I'm having very similar symptoms right now, and just finished pred. on Wednesday (been on since February). My period started on Wednesday, and things are...
When I was released from the hospital in April, they told me to expect 5-7 days recovery for each day that I was in. I thought they were crazy, but here I am 2 months later, and am finally starting...