Hallelujah! Been there, done that, and I am right there with you! Oh what a feeling....
Luv2ride, I'll take a McDonald's strawberry shake any day over one of those barium "shakes". Ewww. I think pink chalk tastes better....
FYI, those flouroscopy rooms (as they are called) where they do the small bowel series almost ALWAYS have an attached bathroom for that purpose. I have yet to see one without a bathroom. How long...
No, not at all. You'll probably have contrast (dye, AKA gadolinium) given to you for your abdomen MRI. You don't need contrast for the lower spine MRI. I'm not sure which one they'll do first....
I'm glad cardiovascular work up is negative. I guess Lyme can cause anything, but that should be diagnosis of exclusion. UC stinks, but weird for you to get lightheaded/nauseated. Hopefully no...
Not that I represent the end all and be all, but I take Lialda and do some exercising. No particular problems here. Are you a general practioner docGP? if you are, then you must know that those...
my doc told me urgency is due to lower inflammation. rectal meds should help. see if you may need rectal steroids for a while. cortifoam?...
when does the pain occur? is it after taking your meds? taking your meds with food (not so spicy food) may help. you may be having gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) as all of the acids are...
Thanks for all of the replys. Of course, no one has asked me directly, but I'm sure the secretaries wonder where I go each time I pass them. You can kind of tell where I'm going because the bathroom...
Do people at work know you have UC? I have not told anyone because its a private issue and sometimes I feel it may affect how people treat me (in terms of my job). Occassionally, I do have to use the...
Those are good ideas. I do usually try to eat smaller meals. The times when I get most urgency is when I have a big meal. Unfortunately, I try not to eat too much throughout the day. For those times...
I recommend always calling if you don't get the results back. You really have to take your health into your own hands. Don't rely on someone else. Yes, most times, things will be fine, but why take...
Someone mentioned this, but slowly squeezing the bottle until all of the air is out has made a big difference for me. This causes less distention of the bowel and allowed me to retain the fluid...
Is this for real? I'm having an incredibly hard time believing any of this. I know medicine can't explain everything, but this seems a little far fetched to me. I don't mean to offend anyone at all,...
Red, I'm so happy for you. What I've learned by having this disease is that I take it one day at a time and learn to enjoy the good days. I used to always tone down my thrill for a good day by...
I have the big D so often and I can't tell if it's the contrast or just the usual me. :)...
As a radiologist (with UC), I can tell you that CT may not show changes in the colon that actually reflect your symptoms. Unfortunately, these days CTs are done routinely if you go to the ER. Too...
thank you guys for the excellent suggestions....
I just moved to the Princeton, NJ area and am looking for a UC specialist around here or near philly. I hear UPENN has a great program. Do any of you have any experiences with doctors from PENN? or...
I'm not sure how you're defining migraines, but I sure do get headaches. I'll describe them to you and you decide. I have moderate severity (4 to 6 on a scale of 10) headaches at least 2-3 times a...
I agree with everyone else. Starting exercising after a long time will probably make you tired initially as your body is pushed and starts to adapt. I feel like crap (no pun intended) whenever I stop...
therearemiracles, I don't believe it! I am experiencing the EXACT same symptoms. Since I started the Lialda back in Feb, while being on the Cortenema, I was feeling great. I couldn't believe I felt...
Feel better soon. One step back will hopefully rewarded with two steps forward!...
Hi Red, it's okay... don't freak out yet. First, the test should probably be repeated to confirm it. Many times, these tests randomly come back false positive. Don't rely on one single test. The...
I've been on Lialda for about 6 weeks and it has definitely helped me. I've also been able to be 100% compliant, unlike when I was taking asacol 3 times a day. I'm also in the process of tapering...
For me, the sleep issue was better with time. I felt jittery and awake most of the time initially, and then things started to settle in. Hang in there. Take advantage of the time!...
julee70, i laughed out loud when i read yours! these are all great, and funny!...
I took chloroquine for 6 weeks while on the Asacol when I was on it, and didn't have a problem. I would definitely talk to your doctor though....
I started feeling better on Lialda in about a week. That's when I noticed that I wasn't having any more blood/mucous/urgency. I couldn't believe how quickly it began to work for me. So far its going...
First thing I would want to know is how your diagnosis was confirmed. If you just recently were diagnosed, make sure you get several opinions to confirm that you really do have UC. There are other...
demchim, thanks for the website. Do any of you know any actual stores that sell delayed release phosphatidylcholine tabs?...
I've been on Lialda for about 6weeks, and yes I also experience a lot of gas. The great thing is that now, being on it a while, I know its gas and not an impending poop, so I feel comfortable letting...
I would recommend seeing your doctor or a dermatologist before taking any alternative meds or changing anything. I'm also on Lialda, for about 6 weeks now, and so far other than an occasional...
I am left handed!...
Red_34, for some reason, we started getting TV guide, and I just happened to randomly read that the series is supposed to end in 2010. This means that they have to drag it out until then. I'm tempted...
31 yo male, in the northeast, married for a couple of years, and work in health care. Diagnosed with UC in 2003 after symptoms started upon returning from a trip outside the US that was complicated...
I'm sure there are physicians who frequent this forum who have UC themselves....
Please also ask your physician to do a test to check to see if you have a Clostridium difficile infection. People who take antibiotics may sometimes have a superinfection by this bacterium which can...
AlabamaBabs, that's pretty funny that you marked the date! Seems like not too many people on this forum are on Lialda. We'll have to keep a close eye and hope it goes well. Beyond 8 weeks, it's...
Wishing her a speedy recovery....
Hi guys, Just wondering whats the longest you have been on Lialda. I've been on it for about 3 weeks so far and it has certainly helped. I was wondering if anyone has been on it for a prolonged...
That's great news that you're doing so well! Ironically, for me I am supposed to have left sided colitis, but the Cortenemas alone did not help much. After I started Lialda, I had significant...
Here is something my doctor pointed out to me which he would like me to try: Retarded release phosphatidylcholine benefits patients with chronic active ulcerative colitis...
Judilyn is correct, it is a reflex. Medically, its called the gastro-colic reflex. Trust me, I'm a doctor. :) It's a natural reflex even in normal people. That being said, I usually have to go within...
I was initially on Asacol for 4 years, on which I kept having symptoms and not realizing that they wren't normal. I switched doctors recently and he first took me off of asacol to see if that was...
It does complicate the situation that your vomiting started along with your Lialda. Have you considered trying to take your pills in the evening a few hours before bedtime? your vomiting may...
Hi guys, I am tapering because since I started Lialda 2 weeks ago, I've stopped having blood/mucous and diarrhea! In fact, my frequency and urgency have gotten much better and the stools are formed....
Was wondering what you guys thought was a good way to taper off of Cortenemas? Because they're not pills, you can't just take less each night (or can you?). My doctor is suggesting trying to...
Just started Lialda a week ago. I have noticed a little difference for the better. Slightly fewer stools (down to about 8-10) and definitely more formed stools, no blood/mucous. Lots of gas though......
I know how you feel. I'm only on Cortenema yet I totally am experiencing the "rush" if you want to call it that. I feel tired, and sleepy, but I can't sleep. It's the worst feeling. At the same time...