Couples with UC

Hi -

Colitis is probably more common than we realize, and since it is embarassing, most people don't talk about it.

---

Proctitis - diagnosed April 2007 (symptoms starting in October 2006)

Flares treated with Rowasa enemas

Mild food diet (chicken, rice, collard greens, no sugar, no corn, no beef/pork, etc)

Yes, I'm really glad to know this actually. My late husband (his death wasn't UC related) was diagnosed about 1 year prior to my diagnosis. The docs could only explain that it was environmentally triggered; the only thing I could figure was that we went swimming in a lake that was warm, and had ducks all around. We didn't realize how much duck crud was in the water until after we dove in as it looked pretty clear (we had kayaked out to an island.) We realized after we swam to the island how icky it was and quickly came home and showered....so who knows....could that have been it? That's just suspect, and no doctor has ever made a confirmation on it. It's odd how we both contracted it within such a short period of time of each other.

---

Carol

Remicade - will have my 19th infusion on November 1.

yes, it's environmentally triggered but one still has to be predisposed to getting it (genetics) I believe.

So many people are getting DX with IBD anymore, so it's likely a coincidence that I'm sure more and more couples will be experiancing together....it's gonna end up making one bathroom homes become obsolete.

:)

---

My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it!  LOL  :)

What do you mean by environmentally related?  I thought it a disease primarily related to having an overactive immune system.

---

40 years young

Sandi...The trigger comes first...and for many it's unknown. Most times once "established", especially for those where the tendency or inherited quality, the initial trigger/offender/etc is long gone and the immune system continues to automatically react against the body in a specific established pattern in speciically established areas.

I'll assume a stimulation in the body that causes the colon to react normally can cause it to overreact in a way toward a flare. Some people call the colon the second or little brain....so, it's definitely related/connected to much of the body's natural/immune processes anyway. 

Thanks all!  I've long been certain that my husband were exposed to the same initial trigger, whatever it was...I don't have any ducks to blame, so maybe some bug.    Carol, you are the first person with a similar experience that I have ever heard from so thanks for sharing. 

Neither of us is aware of any family members with UC or any similar types of conditions, but who knows?  It isn't always the topic of conversation at family gatherings.

Kris2336

---

 

If UC is a combination of pthogen+genetics, then it can be thought of as 'partially' contagious. I was together with someone who had another autoimmune illness rumored to be caused by a pathogen for a few years, and it was a year after we, err, 'united' that I came down with UC. I never thought it was a coincidence, but I also realized quickly that my genetics were primarily to blame, and if not through her, then I would have picked this up somewhere else.

---

Dx:

Left-sided UC, Jun 2005. Flex-sig only... clear for first 20cms, then inflamed through next 30cms.

Therapies:

Pharmaceutical: Pentasa 3G/day, hydrocort 1x every 7 days
Probiotics: Acidophilus Pearls, Primadophilus Bifidus
Naturals: Caprylic Acid, Methylated B-12, Vit ACDE, Zinc (w/copper), Selenium, Turmeric, Bromelain, Luteolin
Killer Foods: Soda, Fried Food (especially french fries!), Beer, Red Wine, Pepperoncinis

Hi AKB -

I've always wondered about that angle, too.  I was talking to a friend who is a doctor a few years back.  He was really interested and intrigued by the fact that we both had it and asked about the contagious thing -- he said "it's not like you guys are brother and sister," so why else would you both have it (inferring the "united" thing).

So I can blame my husband for this whenever I am mad at him now, right?

Kris2336

I would like to see no more one bathroom houses!!

---

Diagonsed with UC in about 99 - 

Started new GI 9-25-07

Lialda 2.4 in AM(started 9-26-07) canasa 1000mg  2xs per day(started 9-26-07)
Probiotics, calcium with Vitamin D, slow release Iron, Psyllium Husk Fiber. 

yes, 1 bathroom is not enough!

---

Beth, 32

When we were looking at houses I wanted a minimum of 2 1/2 baths! One just DOES NOT work!

---

Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003

 

Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed

Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray

Culturelle, Biotin, Folic Acid, Forvia, Calcium, and B12

 

Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.

 

Co-Mod for the UC forum

Keep HealingWell running smoothly:  www.healingwell.com/donate

Not a couple, but I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago with UC.
One of my very best friends was diagnosed last year.
Her roommate was diagnosed with proctitis, and they are thinking that it might actually be UC now. Get this...their CAT was diagnosed with Colitis by a vet!
Things that make you go hmmmm.

---

35yo female from Canada

riversprite, that's pretty crazy.

there could also be something common that all of you are exposed to in close proximity, e.g., pesticide in the air or food supply etc. I'm fairly convinced the 'trigger' is a pathogen, but it could be inorganic too. Who knows (yet). I do find it odd all of you (including an external species!) have the same genetic 'weakness' to allow UC to happen, as I believe that's what prevents most people from getting it despite being in the same conditions as the rest of us.

---

Dx:

Left-sided UC, Jun 2005. Flex-sig only... clear for first 20cms, then inflamed through next 30cms.

Therapies:

Pharmaceutical: Pentasa 3G/day, hydrocort 1x every 7 days
Probiotics: Acidophilus Pearls, Primadophilus Bifidus
Naturals: Caprylic Acid, Methylated B-12, Vit ACDE, Zinc (w/copper), Selenium, Turmeric, Bromelain, Luteolin
Killer Foods: Soda, Fried Food (especially french fries!), Beer, Red Wine, Pepperoncinis

Interesting!  Also, when I was hospitalized last weekend, I was talking to one of my nurse's about my husband and myself.  Her 25-year old son is in the Navy and was recently diagnosed with UC and will likely be forced to leave the service.  She said that one of his shipmates and good friends was diagnosed several months before and they believe that they, too, were exposed to the same trigger...whatever that might be.

Kris2336

Ulcerative Colitis, 11 years

Prednisone 40 mg

Colazal

Flora Q probiotic

Cipro - one more day!

Flagyl - one more day!

 

I guess you all missed this.. It appears that UC may be a communicable disease.

www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/2007-releases/press10042007.html

---

Male 36yrs old. Indeterminate Colitis 6 yrs.


Lialda 2 a day

Protonix
multi vitamin

Wow, thanks for that link, Harpo.
No, I had not read that. I was just diagnosed at the end of September and I am just beginning my research now.

---

35yo female from Canada

Yep, Im being careful with wife and kids now.. hands washed alot. toilet lid closed when flushing.. etc.. you can imagine..

---

Male 36yrs old. Indeterminate Colitis 6 yrs.


Lialda 2 a day

Protonix
multi vitamin

What about the children getting, UC and no history in either of the parents, but a pet has symptoms (I was thinking of Hailey's Letter)?

I was diagnosed with UC when I was 14, and I've been dating my boyfriend for almost three years now and in the past year he has been starting to show a lot of symptoms. Going to the bathroom immediately after eating, going several times a day, sometimes blood in the stool, not gaining any weight (probably even losing weight) always feeling sick and tired... Unfortunately he doesn't have health insurance and won't until January so there hasn't been any official diagnosis. But it is a strange thing...

---

Female, 22, Ulcerative colitis (pancolitis) since 1999; GERD; gastritis; osteopenia in hip & lumbar region of spine from long term prednisone use

Current Meds:
Primadophilus Reuteri
40 mg Citalopram (for depression/social anxiety)
125mg Imuran

Well you might not beleive this one but it is true.