New research on UC identifies genetic defects

Maybe we should request our colons be painted with super glue during a c-scope. ;)
(and just kidding, should anyone take me seriously)

I think I've heard about research into treatments based on this theory of what causes UC, but I can't remember for sure.

---

Status: Remission since May 2009!

Symptoms began in November 2008, ~4 weeks after giving birth to my son

Diagnosed with pancolitis on 1/30/09

Meds: Apriso (4 0.375g pills ONCE!! daily), mesalamine enema twice weekly, Natural Factors Ultimate probiotic 12/12 Formula, OrthoNovum, multivitamin.  Used prednisone (starting dose 40 mg) to get into remission.

Thread with links to UC resources and  information:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1613482

Supposedly, according to researchers investigating the role that genes play in UC, UC is colitis when all external factors (e.g. antibiotics, germs, bacteria, ...) have been ruled out. Of course, the only cause of colitis that can be left after ruling out all external factors is genes.

There are many reasons for having "colitis," having a genetic disposition is one of them, albeit a major one. I think most doctors diagnose patients as having UC even if their colitis is due to some external factor. It's just too difficult to find out whether or not some external factor comes into play and if so how much. For example, I've been diagnosed as having UC. However, it is quite obvious that my colitis is antibiotic-related even though my GI does not think so. No normal person would not have colitis after having been on antibiotics for as long as I have.

One thing I found interesting is that the article states that "The gut contains a huge number of bacteria which play a key role in the digestive process, and in keeping the gut healthy. However, defects in the epithelium can allow these bacteria to leak into the wall of the intestine, where they can trigger an immune reaction, leading to prolonged inflammation." Perhaps, doing fecal transplantation periodically can also help those who are genetically predisposed to colitis by helping to keep their colons filled with bacteria.

---

Joy - 47 yrs and counting; Dx Colitis Dec 06 (also had IBS); Currently in remission.

Figuring out how to reduce a flare or get into remission is a trial and error experience. Don't expect your GI to have all the answers. He was trained in making diagnoses, prescribing medications, and surgically removing the colon. He was not trained in alternative treatments. That's why they are called alternative treatments.

What works for me: Fecal transplantation, Probiotics, Anti-inflammatory foods, No HFCS, No foods high in fructose, No artificial sweeteners, No pro-inflammatory foods when flaring, Vitamins, Lexapro (for stress).

I did not say, "it's not accurate to say that no normal person who has over-abused antibiotics would not have colitis." I said, "No normal person would not have colitis after having been on antibiotics for as long as I have."

I doubt they over abused antibiotics like me. Doctors don't prescribed antibiotics for as long as I was on them. If I add up all the times and durations of being on antibiotics, I would say that I was on antibiotics for about a third of my life--that's 16 years. I started out having a strong digestive system. For many years, I did not notice the affect antibiotics were having on my colon. My BMs were still well-formed, I did not have gas, I did not have any bloating. However, the longer I was on antibiotics, the more I started having IBS issues. That is not a predisposition. That's a destruction of my fecal fora until there is practically nothing left. Only a very strong colon with no predisposition to IBD could have survived for as long as I did without getting a colitis flare. Goodness gracious, I'm on antibiotics now!

Moreover, fecal transplantation put my flare immediately into remission, and when do I get my flares? After being on antibiotics.

I've probably spent less than 1 hour talking with my GI. He never asked me if I had taken antibiotics. He never asked me what works and doesn't work for me. He didn't even test my poo to see if I had c-diff. What he said was that he could tell that I had UC from the state of my colon. That's all he needs to know to prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine; so that's all he is interested in knowing. He isn't interested in knowing why my colon is inflamed; only that it is inflamed.

No one in my family besides me has any colon problems. I'm the only one. My family is very open about everything. We talk about everything, including what illnesses we have. We aren't the type who keep these things like this from each other. That's about six generations--my great grandparents to my grand-daughter--who neither have IBS nor IBD. That's actually quite remarkable.

And that's pretty much the end of it. You can think to the day you die that I have UC and that it was triggered by antibiotics. Believe what you want to believe. The fact is fecal transplantation, probiotics, and diet work for me. I'm in remission. No IBS. No colitis flareups. That's all that really matters.

---

Joy - 47 yrs and counting; Dx Colitis Dec 06 (also had IBS); Currently in remission.

Figuring out how to reduce a flare or get into remission is a trial and error experience. Don't expect your GI to have all the answers. He was trained in making diagnoses, prescribing medications, and surgically removing the colon. He was not trained in alternative treatments. That's why they are called alternative treatments.

What works for me: Fecal transplantation, Probiotics, Anti-inflammatory foods, No HFCS, No foods high in fructose, No artificial sweeteners, No pro-inflammatory foods when flaring, Vitamins, Lexapro (for stress).

Post Edited (subdued) : 11/17/2009 12:44:04 PM (GMT-7)

Well, it's interesting you're on antibiotics now and that they work, my sister and her 2 sons have become antibiotic resistant...that's how long they abused them for (longer than 16 yrs, so put your doubt behind you, there are plenty of people that have used antibiotics more frequently and for a much longer period of time than you have)....and they still don't all end up with colitis.

It makes no difference to me what your family history is or if you have UC or just colitis (c-diff), I don't know why you brought that up actually, I got passed that eons ago, you should too...it is interesting though that your GI feels you have UC though and you don't want to agree with him based on the fact that no one in your family (to date) has an IBD.

I'm not looking for an argument, I just don't want others to get the wrong idea when you state that "no normal person who has over-abused antibiotics would not have colitis." when infact that isn't true, especially for the newbies that are frightened enough as it is and then to read mis-information like that isn't helpful.

If you get flares evrytime you go on antibiotics that could just as easily mean that antibiotics are your trigger for UC (that your doc has DX you with), there could be one trigger or a combination of triggers for one person, and it varies from person to person, not everyone will necessarily have the exact same trigger(s) or combination of them.

But like I said, it makes no difference to me what you want to believe based on your family history, I don't think you understand the points I'm trying to make because you get rather defensive so you're unable to open your mind to what I'm trying to say, but that's fine too.

I know what you said, ( "no normal person would not have colitis after being on antibiotics for as long as I have"), I was the one that said "it's not accurate to say that", because it isn't...see you get so riled up you aren't reading what I'm writing.

I'm not arguing with you about this, but I am trying to make sure others are not mislead by statements like "no normal person wouldn't have colitis after being on antibiotics as long as I have", when infact that isn't true.

Dr-A said...
Why in the world did you take antibiotics that long?

I took antibiotics when I was a kid for ear infections. My ear canals point downwards. Plus they are narrow. So it's easy for me to get ear infections. Once I was on them for six months due to an ear infection [correction, sinus infection] that I got after being in the hospital for pneumonia (which I was also put on antibiotics for). That was when I was 20. I also started taking antibiotics when I was a teenager for acne. The types of antibiotics I was on are known to cause antibiotic-associated colitis. I think I've been on them all. I didn't know that then, and at the time my digestive system was healthy. Most of the time, from when I was a teen to when I was 40, I was on antibiotics for acne. I'd switch doctors. That's how I was able to continue getting the antibiotics. And then, I could buy them at the drug store when I was living in Taiwan without having a prescription. I got this really horrible skin inflammation on my face that lasted from the time I was 30 to about 35. No dermatologist had ever seen anything like it before. I was on antibiotics practically the whole time, although there were weeks in which I'd try not to be on the antibiotics. I was definitely on them for a continuous two years without a break. The skin inflammation would get worse if I didn't take the antibiotics; so I'd go back on them. Antibiotics didn't make the skin inflammation better. They just kept it from getting worse. I took antibiotics for so long that every time I got a cut, such as a paper cut, it would get inflamed. Or if I put on a band aid, the skin under the sticky parts gets inflamed. In fact, my skin still gets inflamed from cuts and band aids only not as bad.

I started keeping a food journal, and I found out that bread and cheese would make the inflammation worse; so I cut those out of my diet. The inflammation gradually went away. Every time I tried eating bread and cheese, it would come back. about 10 years later, I was able to eat bread and cheese again. So I guess it took that long for the cause of the inflammation to completely get out of my system.

Since then, I've been taking antibiotics off and on for sinus, ear, and bladder infections, although I'm trying to use alternative methods if possible. A couple of weeks ago, I had a mole that got infected and came off. I've been prescribed an antibiotic cream for that. I only used a little of it. I got an ear infection about a week ago. I went to urgent care last Thursday. They took out the wax and prescribed antibiotics. The infection is almost gone.

---

Joy - 47 yrs and counting; Dx Colitis Dec 06 (also had IBS); Currently in remission.

Figuring out how to reduce a flare or get into remission is a trial and error experience. Don't expect your GI to have all the answers. He was trained in making diagnoses, prescribing medications, and surgically removing the colon. He was not trained in alternative treatments. That's why they are called alternative treatments.

What works for me: Fecal transplantation, Probiotics, Anti-inflammatory foods, No HFCS, No foods high in fructose, No artificial sweeteners, No pro-inflammatory foods when flaring, Vitamins, Lexapro (for stress).

Post Edited (subdued) : 11/17/2009 1:29:43 PM (GMT-7)

Yes Q, I totally get what you are saying and I'm not fighting or arguing (I learned long ago that subdued isn't getting what I'm trying to say in regards to her ideas of family history and such) and I totally know that things can remain hidden in our DNA until the moment they are awakend, infact that's what I've been trying to explain to her...and I realize that her doc may even be wrong about her having UC...get a second or third opinion then, it only makes sense.

My only intentions were specifically to clarify not everyone does end up with colitis from antibiotic abuse (as in the case of my sister and her kids) so to say it's not normal for someone to over use antibiotics and not end up with colitis, is inaccurate information...and I don't want anyone who doesn't know any better to believe that. I don't know why she brought up all that other stuff that didn't even pertain to the discussion.

:)

Well, newbies can do their own research and even doctors vary on their agreement of why UC happens, treatment (don't get me started on pred) as well as food intake (your and my conflict)...there will never be agreement on some specifics.

Please let it go....trying to convince people who aren't interested is only going to disappoint you. What's best is to have an opinion and not care what others think not trying to convince them of those facts.

Hope the sun is shining your way.....we've had almost weeks of it and it's glorious!

q

     I have a double whammy.  My paternal grandmother died from cancer of the rectum.  That was back in 52 when people didn't talk too much about these illnesses.  Personally, I think she had ulcerative colitis and little was known about treatment back then.  My mom said she bled a lot from the rectum, as do I.

     When I was a kid, my family doctor over prescribed antibiotics...from a bad cold to a hang nail.  I remember always being on them.  Guess I am suffering for it today.  Back in the 50's and 60's doctors weren't questioned the way they are today.  They were put on pedestals.   Big mistake.  Thank God for the internet.

---