Hi all, It's been a few years since I stopped by. A question: Does anyone have tips for reducing BM frequency/urgency? I'm currently unmedicated (because I procrastinated renewing the paperwork that...
Well, I'm back here after a few months which I guess means that I'm seeing a return of symptoms. In general though, I'm doing pretty well, and so glad to hear that many of you are as well. I'm sorry...
Great topic. My depression also predates my UC (as you can see in my signature). Having UC certainly doesn't help, though I'm glad that I got back on anti-depressants shortly after being diagnosed. I...
I've stopped seeing blood in the toilet, but now that you mention it, my period started around the same time as the increase in lightheadedness. I was slightly anemic last time I check and have been...
The lightheadedness has been a mild problem since I started taking it three weeks ago, but the past few days have been really bad. I thought I had a fever or something because I felt that beat. I...
So, I was rereading the side effects information about Prednisone because I've been feeling pretty under the weather (sore throat, lightheadedness, weakness, body/joint aches, general malaise) and I...
Old Hat: Thanks for the tip! I'll be sure to mention it to my doctor. While my UC is left-sided, it does extend across my mid-transverse colon. Would Colazal be helpful there as well?...
That makes some sense, though I'm pretty sure more than just the casing is coming out, since I've seen one partially cracked open and full of white stuff. :/...
I don't see why it would be a problem. After my two c-scopes I just had someone come meet me and walk me home (I live a 10-min walk from the hospital). I was pretty okay to walk (arm-in-arm), though...
I also just talked to my doctor about this. He said that the drug companies say that seeing the pill doesn't mean you didn't absorb it, but that he doesn't necessarily believe it. He recommended...
I work full-time as well. I haven't really had a choice since I was diagnosed right after I graduated college and started temping. I was fired from my first temp job because I missed too much work,...
I'm no pro, but I'd imagine fruit smoothies (and blended soups, as someone else mentioned) would be a safe bet. I'm a big fan of smoothies with soy milk, bananas, chocolate soy protein powder, flax...
Thanks for the heads up. It definitely happens to me near daily, so perhaps I need to try something else....
I've also wondered about something similar. I have two cats and I've noticed that pregnant women are discouraged from handling cat litter. I'm assuming basic hygeine should keep me safe (as I'm not...
Same here. Started at 20 mg for about two weeks, and am now at 15 mg. My doctor has me calling him weekly with the plan to taper by 5 mg each week. Sorry to hear you're having irritating side...
The same thing happens to me, I think I posted about it yesterday. I notice whole pills almost daily . At first I assumed I was still absorbing it because my doctor said that the shells can come out...
Munchkindd: Sorry to hear you've had the same problems. Hekela: What time of day do you take your Asacol? I usually take mine at approx. 8 a.m., 4 p.m., and midnight. I also usually go to bed around...
So, I know that seeing Asacol come out the other end isn't necessarily a problem. Apparently, the shell can come out while the medicine is still absorbed. However. Today I noticed the little red...
I'm so sorry to hear you're not doing well. Hopefully the hospital stay will give you a chance to rest and recuperate. I hope you start feeling better soon!...
Clever! I'll have to check that out....
I hadn't thought about using more than one. That's an idea. There's no Walmart where I live, but I can check at other pharmacies/online. I just though someone might have a recommendation for a super...
Does anyone have recommendations for pill cases that have extra-large compartments? I'm currently using one from CVS but it doesn't fit all my pills and I *never* remember to take the ones I can't...
So, I just spoke to my doctor (mentioning everything I said above) and he basically said that constipation is good and I should start taper to 15 mg and call him next week. I'm happy to trust the...
I try to drink in moderation (no more than 2-3 drinks in one evening, generally not more than once or twice a week) and I haven't noticed any direct effect on my UC. I try to avoid carbonated stuff,...
I started taking Prednisone (20 mg) for the first time about two weeks ago. Up until a week ago, I was having about 10 loose BMs a day with urgency, blood, and mucous. My doctor said that once I'd...
I've been on 20 mg for almost two weeks and while I haven't noticed any of the classic side effects yet (moonface, munchies, crazies, etc.). However, I have been having a really hard time focusing. I...
My med info should be in my signature. Please let me know if it isn't showing up properly. Thanks!...
I hope no one minds me hijacking this for my own eye question... The last few days my eyes have been really red and today there's a dull pain behind them especially when I move them. And they just...
Absolutely. Sometimes a little gas, maybe a dash of blood or mucous. Pretty annoying....
Thanks Karen. It may well be a mix of denial/avoidance and exhaustion/relief. Only time will tell, I suppose......
Does anyone have problems with skin-picking and/or trichtillomani (compulsive hair pulling)? I've been struggling with skin picking since I was 13 and started having trich issues in the last year or...
Hello all. I'm new to this particular board, but not to HW. I came over from Ulcerative Colitis with a stop-over in A/P. I recently (as in, this week) experienced the break up of my 3.5 year...
Are there meds specific to anxiety that you can take long-term? I'm currently taking Zoloft, and while it seems to help with my depression (though I'm not sure how to really tell), it doesn't even...
I found my way over here from the Ulcerative Colitis forum. I'm going to write a separate post, but since I'm new, I figured I'd introduce myself first. My name is Erin and I live in Boston. I've...
Blessteve: FYI the mods will probably delete your post as it's unfortunately against forum rules (happened to me once). But thanks for your response....
So, between having UC and dealing with the recent break up of my 3.5 year relationship, I'm having a hard time working up the necessary motivation/desire to eat. What can I do to make sure I eat...
Since I found this forum, I've been coming daily too. There's just a certain quality about it - like everyone really cares about each other. A true community. And smart to boot!...
That's interesting, I'd wondered if it was possible to be steroid resistant. It may just be coincidental, but I've never really had much reaction (positive or negative) to any medication I've ever...
I talked to my doctor and he didn't seem too concerned about the cold. However, I'm still not seeing any positive effects from the prednisone (day 3). Is it possible the dose is too low? Or does it...
I actually just "came out" to a couple of coworkers just the other day and they were *really* supportive. I decided the time had come because I was occasionally showing up late for work (mornings are...
My father has/had UC but has been in remission for the past 14 years (i.e. no symptoms, colonoscopy showed no disease). He also thinks one of his grandparents might have had something similar (just...
Hmm. Still waiting for the positive effects, but hopefully they'll come soon. It's good to know that lowered immunity isn't immediate, but should I still be concerned about having a cold while taking...
So, I just started taking prednisone today for the first time (20 mg) and I'm wondering how long it takes to kick in - both the good and the bad. I haven't noticed any change in my UC symptoms, but...
My father had left-sided UC and has been in remission since 1993. I'm not sure exactly when he stopped taking medication (he was on one of the older sulfa drugs), but it was sometime around/before...
Meesh: I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble getting off prednisone. It seems to be a problem for a lot of people. I'm glad though that you were able to get help with the anxiety/depression...
I'm glad neither of you had a bad case of the pred crazies I've heard so much about. Though that experience in the mall must have been really disorienting. Fortunately, I don't think I'd be too shook...
Tab: Thanks! That helps a lot. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to taper *before* my appointment or what......
My GI doc wants me to start taking prednisone (20 mg for now) and after reading up on potential side effects I'm a bit concerned about the mental health aspect. I am currently taking Zoloft (75 mg)...
I'm so sorry to hear you're so ill! It seems to me like people with chronic illnesses out to get a Get Out of Jail Free card when it comes to all that everyday, communicable stuff. No fair! I hope...
pb4: That's interesting what you say about the dosage. I'm starting to get the impression that my GI doc likes to take it slow with meds (which I suppose is better than being over agressive?). I...