Hey there, About 5 months after I was diagnosed, my stools began smelling foul! I was convinced I had c-diff, since c-diff (I've heard) is decidedly foul-smelling, but no--it was actually giardia....
Hi there, Short story: diagnosed in October 2011, put on Apriso and Mesalamine enemas. Flare kept continuing. In February 2012, was hospitalized for 5 days (20-25 times a days and losing lots of...
Hi there, I would suggest doing some research on your own. The data that is currently out there regarding UC/IBD and pregnancy strongly supports staying on medication throughout the pregnancy....
Hi all, Short story--diagnosed with UC 10/11 while pregnant with 2nd bubbie. Had complications early in pregnancy that required long-term use of antibiotics--hmm, coincidence? Started developing UC...
Hey there, Sorry to hear you're so miserable. Interestingly, tho, I did read a study about half a year ago about using progesterone supplements for UC patients. Some patients had a great deal of...
Hi all, Thanks so much for your responses. I'm still just so shocked at all the effed-up side effects from pred that so many (including me) experience. I wish I had NEVER EVER been prescribed it in...
Hi all, I know that most of us have ridden the pred pony throughout the course of our disease. Besides the *common* side effects (i.e. moon-face, weight gain, camel hump, etc.) that you've...
Hi there, When I was in the hospital in February, I also didn't respond to the IV steroids right away. The doc was surprised and said they usually see patients respond within 24-48 hours. So I was...
Hey there, I had a flex sig to diagnose my UC. This was in October of last year, and I was 22 weeks pregnant at the time and they wouldn't sedate me or do a full colonoscopy. Even with being...
Hi all, I have a question for you guys regarding a study I could be included in for the drug Vedolizumab. I don't know the exact chemical nature of the drug (it's an infusion), but I know that it has...
Or Steak 'n' Shake? Or kettlecorn? Or a stinkin' huge Dr. Pepper? Or a long, tall, ice-cold glass of milk? Or chocolatey, fudgey cake? I haven't eaten these things for almost a year. Still not in...
Hi all, Thanks for taking the time... :o) Just a bit of backgound before I ask my question: Had perfectly working GI tact and pooper for 38 years. Then, during my second pregnancy, I was prescribed...
Hi ItsAlwaysSomething, I have to agree with EvaLou...I make kefir every day (had purchased dried grains originally and followed the directions to rehydrate them, but I wasn't very successful until a...
Hi there, I'm in the same boat--excessive/long term antibiotic use destroyed the flora in my colon, and after having 100% normal gut function for 38 1/2 years, I'm entering my 39th year as a...
Hi there, So, long story short, been on pred since February 2012 and been trying to taper since. Started at 40mg and now down to 15mg. Had gotten down to 10 about 2 mo ago, but had to amp pred back...
Hi hineycase, I don't think you were being *rude*, but I do think your response was a little flip...I have no problem owning my guilt or self-consciousness or perceptions at all, and I think therapy...
Hi there, So, I've been *flaring* since my colon went out of wack in September 2011 with long-term antibiotic use during my pregnancy...anyway, that means that I've basically had diarrhea to some...
Hi all, Pretty sure my yucky cold has turned into a sinus infection which feels suspiciously like it might also turn into an ear infection or two before too long. I'm terrified to go on antibiotics...
Hi there, Thanks for the responses. Could it be the tapering of my pred? I think I've become pred dependent...I've been on a tapering dose since February... Ta and thanks, Lisa...
Hi Heather, I have both psyllium husk and psyllium seed powders in the house...some people are so mixed on what they prefer so I *had* been alternating those, with a tablespoon in a full glass of...
Will I have firmer stools with MORE fiber? It seems counter-intuitive, but after seeing a lot of posts about psyllium husk, etc. on this board, I had tried taking some, and I saw an improvement in my...
In the last few weeks, I've been experiencing mild (some days) to severe (some days) joint pain in my knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders. I am an active mom of a toddler and an infant and I am 39...
Hi there, Have been tapering down from 40mg pred since February...got to 10 a few months ago and symptoms roared back and had to go back up to 30mg for a while. Back to 10 again for 2 weeks and doing...
Who has experienced this? Taking 100mg total, split 50 in the am and 50 in the pm. I usually can tolerate meds very well without experiencing the same side effects that others might experience, but I...
Hi there, When I had a sudden change of symptoms (frequent, foul-smelling, near-liquid poo, cramping, low-grade fever) I thought I might have c-diff, too. Was convinced about it and started bleaching...
Hi there, Just saw my GI today and after reviewing my blood tests, I finally got my script for Imuran. Starting at 100mg a day. My question is pretty simple...should I take both 50mg pills in the...
Hi, Re-posted from my original kefir thread... So, the kefir making seems to be going well! 12 hours seems to suit my kefir just fine, with the warm weather here...I've been drinking some *straight*...
Hi again, So, the kefir making seems to be going well! 12 hours seems to suit my kefir just fine, with the warm weather here...I've been drinking some *straight* (without flavorings or making it into...
Hi there, I know many (if not most) of us do mesalamine or cortisone enemas on a regular basis. I'm wondering if anyone has tried/had any luck with alternative enemas? Such as a VSL#3 enema? Or tea...
Hi all, Received some kefir grains through the mail (Cultures for Health) and have been following the directions for around 5-6 days. My grains seem to be *kefiring* the milk awfully fast (whey and...
Hi all, Just curious--does anyone use a daily anti-diarrheal and find it effective? Do you take it just once a day (morning/night) or multiple times, and how effective do you find it? I am looking...
Anyone have some non-milk protein shake recipes to share? I'd like to start my day out with one, but can't do milk...after reading the kefir post, am going to try my hand at making kefir as soon as I...
Why are some days so different than others? I hate the unpredictability...I had 2 *good* days in a row with 2 soft but rather formed movements, but then today I've gone 8 times in 8 hours...wtf? What...
I'm doing the Rowasa enemas nightly, and will start doing the Canasa suppositories in the morning starting tomorrow. Manhattan Mama, I just started taking l-glutamine and am interested in your...
I know that some mesalamines can have cardiac effects...I have noticed that my heartbeat has slowed (average resting heart rate since about February has been 55/60 bpm) over the course of my...
With treatment, my bowel movements have gone from 20 a day to (on average) 1-4, which is a HUGE improvement. However, I am still having an urgency problem...as soon as I realize that I have to go, I...
Between psyllium seed powder and psyllium husk powder? I thought I was ordering seed, but got husk instead...does it matter? Ta and thanks, Lisa...
Hi all, My GI switched me from Asacol to Apriso about 8 weeks ago basically so I could just take 4 pills in the morning and be done with it. Well, my symptoms are still kicking my butt, and I think...
Hi Beth, Thanks for your response. So did you do BOTH? Moving up the Remi treatment and increasing the dose? Or just one? Or neither? And it took about 7 mo for you to really feel well again? Ta and...
How long did it take for you to accept that it was a)working or b)not working for you? I have just finished my 3rd dose of Remicade and while I AM better, I am certainly far from normal and nowhere...
Thanks for the advice, edbar...I totally want to use an adult donor, and still trying to talk my husband into it...he's really having trouble getting over the *ick* factor (he is a very private...
Thanks UC Guy for the laugh! Manhattan Mama, what are chia seeds supposed to do? Ta and thanks, Lisa...
Hi Donna! Thanks for the update--I was thinking about you today! I'm glad things are looking up for you!! My husband is so leery about the *ick* factor, but I've tried it 3 times now with my...
Thanks, Katmom, I'll look into it! Ta and take care, Lisa...
I was reading today that it can work as a great anti-inflammatory for some people...has anyone else tried it? Thought I might order some today...any suggestions as to dosing/frequency? Ta and take...
So, then I guess the question is: how long does it usually take for the colon to heal itself enough to be in remission? I'm already on a med cocktail; I don't really feel like there is anything else...
Hi all, I'm so curious--after suffering for roughly 3/4 of a year now (diagnosed after long-term antibiotics wiped out my colon in my 2nd trimester), will I actually *know* when I've achieved...
Hi Donna, Thanks so much for your response! I really appreciate it...I was wondering what size (and what brand) enema bottle do you use? Just curious how much (like 60ml or 200ml or what) you are...
Hi all, So just wondering if anyone else is basically *starving* themselves to achieve symptom control...I am currently on Rowasa enemas, Prednisone (20mg), Apriso, and about to go in for my 3rd...
Hi, That is so great that you are feeling so much better...I am considering trying the FT route myself, and was wondering if you would be so kind as to post how you go about it? i.e. How fresh of a...