I thought the most difficult thing I would face is dealing with ulcerative colitis but I just found out that I have a small nodule on the right side of my thyroid and 2 masses on the left side. I...
CZ - did you have to have treatment for the nodules or do they just keep a close eye on them?...
Thanks for the great perspective, Red_34. I need to remember that it is my immune system that is compromised and UC is only the condition. I must admit I am a little nervous to find out what this...
How cool that you want to become a pharmacist. I believe compounding pharmacists are in high demand. It's so good to hear that you want to help educate your patients rather than just filling a...
Sometimes I feel like I am paranoid and every little ache and pain must be related to UC! I was at my gyn several years ago and she told me that there is a link between UC and early menopause (which...
I recently had the stroke prevention tests done where they use ultrasound to see if your arteries are clean, etc. While they were examining my neck arteries, they found a thyroid nodule. The...
Thanks for your feedback. Oh, and by the way, I had never heard until I found this forum that you could have IBD and IBS too. I learn so very much!...
I want to both thank and encourage you all. Thanks to those who freely offer their thoughts and advice to those of us who are still finding our way; encouragement to those who needs answers to...
I was afraid you would say that. You don't know how much I don't want to go to the doctor! Should I discuss this with my GI or just my family doc? I just updated my profile - sorry about that!...
I was on Asacol/Rowasa and symptoms were getting worse. I appealed to this forum as to where I could go next and some of you suggested Colazol/Cortenemas. Well I have been on them for 3 1/2 weeks and...
I wanted to thank those of you who responded to my question recently of what other steps I could talk about with my doctor before moving on to heavier drugs. Just to recap, I have been on Asacol and...
Is Colazal better for those of us with left-sided UC because it dissolves further down in the colon? Is that part of why the Asacol is no longer working for me? If so, why when I tried Lialda, I got...
Thanks for validating my thought process. I want to do everything possible before I move to Imuran. I want to be able to intelligently discuss this with my GI. He is usually very good about letting...
I have been on Asacol/Rowasa for 11 years. They are no longer working for me. At my last GI visit he felt I should go on Imuran. He asked me to go home and think about it. If I had any further...
Quincy, I read somewhere on this forum that Asacol is not as effective as other 5-ASA drugs in treating colitis where I have it. I think it said Colazal is more effective. I think I will ask my GI...
Hi Quincy, Thanks for hangin' in there with me. You have given me much to research and to think about. I was to think about which meds I want to move to (Imuran or Remicade) by my GI. I am either to...
I am doing some better this week. My GI mentioned the steroid enemas but said he rarely prescribes them anymore. He feels the Rowasa works much better. Do you still feel this is something I should...
I am trying to gather info and advice on changing meds. I have been on Asacol/Rowasa for 11 years. I have had much success in the past with these meds. For some reason when I started my current flare...
Thanks for your input, Quincy. The only other 5-ASA drug I tried was Lialda and I got much worse on it. I guess I am so frustrated because my disease is minor compared to so many others on this...
bump...
Well I went to the doctor and he wants to change my meds. He said he usually sees improvement in his patients in 4-6 weeks with the Asacol/Rowasa combo. I have been on the maximum dose now for 3+...
After 4 phone calls to the doctor I just found out my c-diff test is negative. I have an appointment tomorrow morning with my GI. I"ll let you know what he suggests I do....
Hi Quincy, I've had to read your post several times because there is so much good info and it was a lot for me to take in at once. I wanted to let you know I tried an egg with wheat toast this...
Okay so I'm thinking I shouldn't have taken the subbing jobs this week. My UC is much worse. I think I am stressing so much and not getting enough sleep. She asked me to sub for her 2 days next week...
Thanks for the insight on the pred, .bmshurt. From what I hear from so many people on this forum, it should be avoided if at all possible. I find it so ironic that this disease causes many people to...
Wow. Thanks for all the questions. It seems as if you really care for all of us on this forum. I will try to answer your questions now. It wasn't unusual for me to go 20 to 30 times per day. I would...
Hi Quincy, Thanks for your quick reply. I'm sorry I haven't gotten back with you sooner - I wasn't by my computer today. During the 5 years I was in remission I was only on6 Asacol per day. When my...
I took your advice and requested that my GI test my stool sample - just dropped off my sample today. The nurse told me they do not routinely test for c-diff. - only if the dr. does a biopsy. Does...
I have had this disease for 11 years. Have had problems with libido for the last 3 or 4 years - not sure if it is entirely UC related - I am post-menopausal too. I have a wonderful husband and though...
Thanks for the info. I don't know why I have such a hard time getting the right info from my doctor. It is now almost 10:30 a.m. here and his office still hasn't called me back. They open at 8:00....
I have shared with you before how I haven't been able to get this current flare under control. I also shared that I was due to have a 3 month follow-up visit with my GI. That is scheduled for the 2nd...
I just got off the phone with a friend in another state who is a breast cancer survivor. Her take-charge attitude is an inspiration to me. I was sharing with her the fact that I can't get my UC...
I have been on Asacol for 11 years. Right now I am in a flare - some days better than others. Earlier this summer, I was put on Lialda in place of Asacol for 6 weeks. I found my symptoms got worse....
I recieved this same call earlier in the week. The company is Shire that makes Lialda. At the time I took the online survey, I was on Lialda but it didn't work for me. I assumed all of the people...
I don't think I have really been healing very much. I still have blood and mucus. I am going to try to use one of the few remaining suppositories that I have left tonight. They seemed to agree with...
I have never used the hydrocortisone enemas. Do they have any of the side effects of oral pred? I think only the first 35 cm. of my colon is affected by UC. Thanks so much for the suggestions,...
Thanks for your input. I will definitely ask to have stool samples taken. I have been on the Asacol for years. I upped my dosage to 12 pills daily in June. The Rowasa was also started in June. It...
Hi again, I have currently been in a flare since April. I do have good days and bad but I go to the bathroom between 15 and 30 times a day. I can't get the bleeding under control, my bm's are soft...
I was having lunch with a couple of friends yesterday and shared my frustration with currently being in a flare and it doesn't seem to be getting worse but it isn't getting much better either. I am...
I went for my yearly woman's exam and (I already knew this) but the nurse practitioner found I had a hernia. I will have to have surgery (darn) to correct this and was wondering if any of you have...
could they make out checks to you and then you send the donation here?...
For the last few days I have not had very "productive" bowel movements. I woke up very early this morning, just turned my head on the pillow and I got so dizzy. about the same time I had to go to the...
Thanks for the perspective Red_34. It sure helps to share thoughts and know you won't get shot down for thinking them. Wow, expecting226! I don't think I would have even thought to have genetic...
This may be a dumb question but I was pregnant with my son when I was diagnosed with UC. Is he at a higher risk for developing this disease because of this? Also, does anyone else worry that their UC...
I am hoping I don't cry until AFTER we leave her. She would be so embarrassed. I noticed you are on the same meds as me. Are they working for you? I don't like the enemas but I feel they are doing...
Well on Saturday, my oldest daughter and I will begin the journey to college for the first time. She is attending a university 2 states away. Her father, sister and brother will come several hours...
I was put on Lialda at my own request because it sounded so good to me. I had been in a flare beginning in April and did not get meds to combat the flare immediately because my doc was out of town....
I'm sorry you're going through a rough time. I noticed you are only on Lialda. Could it be that you need other 5-ASA meds like Rowasa? I have been flaring since April and only now am seeing less...
I had to beg him to do the CBC. I have had my tyroid checked by my family doc a year or so ago and it was okay. Why magnesium? Is that tested through bloodwork too? Also, I thought you might find it...
I had an appointment with my GI yesterday and I asked if he would check my blood because I have been so tired. He ordered a CBC and the results are back - I am not anemic. My question therefore is:...