Hi! Unfortunately I am new and joining you:(

I also need to add that the colonoscopy just showed inflammation---but he did do the biopsies- so we will find that out soon. I have never felt this sick in my life:(

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Terri D.

You've found a great place for support. Once you know for sure what your diagnosis is, folks here will be able to advise you better.

In the meantime, I'd suggest doing whatever you can to try to lighten your load of stress, worry and guilt. It sounds like you've got a lot going on in your life. Right now, your health has to be top priority.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

Hi and welcome :) I agree that you need to lessen the stress in your life and please never feel like a failure in what you can do and can't do. You are only human and can only do so much. You just have to take one day at a time and go from there.

Definately come back and let us know the outcome of the biopsies.

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sorry that you are here, but glad you found this place, it has been great for me. Denial, anger, acceptance, it's all part of it. You did nothing to give yourself UC. See what your Doc says and take it from there, research everything and take good care of yourself.

I am newly married 1.5 years and it this has been hard recently on me and my husband, but communicating and trying to understand where eachother is coming from has really helped, not to say that we have not argued and stuff, but we get through it and I know it's very difficult when you first find out. My first Doc gave me a pamphlet and shoved me out the door (he retired a month later).

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Beth, 32

Hi Terri,

Welcome to HealingWell...

This is a great place for information for people with conditions like colitis, etc. I feel confident that you will find things here that will make life much easier for you in the long run. Another thing, please, please, please don't ever think you're a failure because you're not...this disease can make you tired, give you headaches, cause your joints to hurt, etc. We go through much more suffering than anyone can ever understand, except those of us with the same condition.

Be positive!

NBT

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Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis January 2007

Hi Terri,

Welcome to the board. I'm pretty new here myself and I've found it great to be able to discuss all these issues with people. Also, now that I'm in remission and have had this disease for 10 years I'm happy if I can pass along any shred of useful info to someone.

First, I just have to say that with three kids, you are amazing. When I'm not feeling well, all I want to do is be on the couch and watch TV. I know that with kids that is barely an option. So undoubtedly you are forced to do a lot more and I totally respect that. Even if it feels like you are not functioning at your best, you are not a failure.

I was just thinking about what I would do differently if I were getting first diagnosed now. I think I would ask for copies of my colonoscopy and biopsy reports. I never really understood in the beginning what was going on but I think if I had the reports to look at (and compare with future colonoscopies) I would have had a clearer sense of everything.

Also, I would not have blindly gone on Prednisone because my first doctor told me to. You'll read here all about the difficulties that people have trying to get off steroids. I think my first doctor prescribed them to me because he just couldn't stand to see me miserable and steroids were the quick fix. In actuality, I just wasn't that sick and I'm certain that there were other options available to me that he didn't explore. So, I'll just encourage you to ask a lot of questions so you get the best treatment.

Having everyone here to bounce ideas off is great too. :)

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UC for the last ten years
Current Meds: 6MP
Past Meds: You name it; I've tried it.

Be sure to have your doc rule out clostridium difficile, which I got from Cipro. It is called antibiotic-associated colitis.

The good news is once you clear that up (which ain't easy), if it is c-diff, you will probably be through with dealing with colitis.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya!

Mitz

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Sporadic proctitis since about 1985. Mother had UC, then J-pouch surgery 1983.
DX'd with clostridium difficile in 2000. Prednisone, two courses of Flagyl, then Vancomycin finally got rid of it. Symptomatic with UC after that.
Colonoscopy in 2001 dx'd left-sided UC. Was pretty darn ill at that time, dehydrated, weak, unable to work. Treated with prednisone, Rowasa, Asacol. Asacol not working so switched to Imuran. Three small flares since in 2002, 2005, and 2007, brought under control with enemas, steroid and Rowasa.
Gall bladder attack 6/13; ultrasound showed stones; Lap chole performed October 26, 2007.
100 mg Azathioprine and 225 mg Effexor XR (for chronic, longstanding depression) daily.

Post Edited (MitzMN) : 10/31/2007 12:04:04 PM (GMT-6)

Sorry. Duplicate post.

I hope you have the least nasty dx possible. And I do hope they can get you all fixed up with something that works so you can get some rest and stress a bit less. I got sick when my latest baby turned 8 months, I know how hard that can be. I have a 2 and 4 year old too.
Wishing you the best.

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dx 4/05 with pancolitis UC after birth of my second child... meds worked randomly

Welcome Terri - I also hope that you can escape with a dianosis that can be cleared up and you don't need to get advice from this forum for UC related problems. If you do however you will find tons of info here. In the beginning it can be very confusing. I found I had to write notes and jot things down or cut and paste and copy into a word document and print off to have for reference.

It can be a trial and error type thing finding what will work specifically for you to get things under control. You have a lot on your plate right now with small children and a husband. Hang in there and do try to keep the stress at a minimum.

Keep us informed and you will get a lot of support and info here.

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61 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 (now UC) & hospitalized 5/07-currently heading towards a remission. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07  Oct 07 feeling quite normal most days.  150mg Imuran 15 mg prednisone & tapering, 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 1X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 20 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs  Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Cortifoam enemas AM & PM, folic acid 1mg, Fosamax 1x month

Welcome to the forum Terri. I hope your situation will be cleared up with the battery of meds the doc's got you on..but it's great he's not leaving your situation by assuming.

I agree with the others..when health chaos hits, it's difficult not to feel like a failure, but it's not your fault. As for your husband, maybe try to talk with him and see how he actually feels about it. It's difficult and probably scary for him as well.

I do hope you have others (family/friends) who can help and support you in ways to help lighten the load of duties, etc. At least for the next while till you get more levelled out health-wise. It could also indirectly help with the emotional stress.

It'll take some time -- and I can truly understand the guilt thing about health.

Welcome again,
quincy

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Oh my goodness....thank you ALL for all your support!!! I can tell already you all are so wonderful:) Hugs to you all!!!

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Terri D.