Thank You All for being here! New to the disease...

Hi there!  I've just been diagnosed with UC about a month ago.  I also had a benign, but pecancerous polyp, found near the UC.  We've currently got me on Canas suppositiries & darvocets for the pain.  As long as I take the darvos, I'm D & blood free.  However, I am returning to GI doc today to get me on something oral.  I don't know what she's going to try, but she'd said that I won't be able to take the darvos for pain anymore??? Anyone?  I'm also on depacote for bipolarism.  I have currently all but given up completely on coffee.  I get a swig now & then but no more, as it does hurt.  Soda, limit to one a day.  I just have to have something good!  And, I let it go flat  sipping over a period of several hours usually.  I was such a Java junkie too!  Ouch!

Hi Wildfire, welcome to Healingwell :) I'm glad you stopped lurking and joined the conversations :) IBS doesn't graduate into UC. Many on here have had UC for a long time that was misdiagnosed as IBS for a long time because unfortunately some just don't have a clear cut case. Darvocet in UC can actually slow your colon down too much and in Uc'ers that is not always such a good idea. It can lead to complications. But once you get the flare under control the pain will go away too. It's good that you are getting on oral meds in addition to rectal. Do you know where in your colon your Uc is? Sometimes if we know that we can offer more suggestions. Since they found precancerous polyps, what are they going to do?

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for the polyps, just keep an eye on me, that just means colonoscopies every two-three years. My UC is rectal so far (or proctitis?). Ok, I'll remember about the darvocets...when I go off them, will the D come back? How long for the pain to ease up? Thank you so much for being here!

There are other meds you can try that may work better then the suppositories such as Rowasa enemas or even steroid enemas (Colocort) or steroid foam. The steroid enemas/foam work faster then the Rowasa which is basically Canasa but in liquid form (and reaches higher into the colon). I think there is even a steroid suppository but I'm not sure it's available in the states (I've never used them - so I'm not sure). Usually once a flare is under control, which varies from person to person, then the D, bleeding and pain is controlled. To help stop the D, instead of relying on narcotic pain relievers, you can try fiber supplements. This can help bulk up the stool. Also too, you can try a low residue diet to see if that helps.

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Thank you for the advice. I'll talk with the doc today & see what she says...I guess it's a matter of trial & error, to see what works. What are probiotics? How do I get them? I need to go, but I will be back here either later today or before the birds tomorrow, so, everyone, PLEASE, keep the advice coming my way, as I value the advice I'm getting from those with experience. I hope to one day be able to help another sufferer, as you have helped me! Bless you!

Hi wildfire :)

Probiotics are good bacteria...basically IBDers and even IBSers tend to have bacterial over-growth which tends to exacerbate symptoms...taking a good probiotic daily and indefinitely (even during remission) helps keep the bacterial balanced in the gut flora...there have even been studies and more awareness in the medical field that probiotics are a benefit to us.

Generally you can get them at healthfood stores, though some buy from grocery stores I'm just not sure how they would compare...the one I use is called Primadophilus Reuteri made by Natures Way, it's affordable and has benefits for lactose intolerance as well...it's about 30.00cdn for 90 caps and only one/day is needed, they have guaranteed intestinal release. I've been taking them everyday for about 4 yrs now and it's been very helpful.

:)

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

The steroid suppositories are called Anucort. Mainly used for hemis.

wildfire - welcome to HW! This board has helped me so much! The knowledge and support are wonderful :)

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - but glad you found us! See you around :)

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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

Forvia and a Probiotic

 

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

Definately come back anytime you want! How many Asacol are you taking? Is that 1 pill 3x daily? Another website to check out is www.ccfa.org They have great info there and there is a page that deals with only Proctitis too. It takes time to wrap your mind around having a chronic illness but in the meantime know that we are here for you.

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Welcome Wildfire!! I have found this group of loving, sharing people to have saved my life physically and emotionally. Its pretty hard to believe you have an uncurable disease. People here have taught me how to live with UC and how to make it better. Our doctors don't know everything. The suggestions of probiotics is a very good one. I started to feel better within a couple of weeks.

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• ^LINDA

It's 2 asacol 3x day. And yes it sure is hard to wrap my brain around having this uncurable disease! Reading all the things everyone here has written just puts all the pieces of the puzzle together for me. Now a lot of things make more sense. The symptoms, smells, etc.! I thought I was just losing my mind... Now that i've let the narcotics go, the other symptoms are back...yuck! Love you all Lots & lots! TY