I was 100% healthy, never even got colds and never had any GI issues....until I took 2 antibiotics that were prescribed to me at the same time for about 10 days. 5 days or so into it, I noticed my bm's were green. 6 days into it, I started seeing blood in my bm's.
The first doctor I saw was convinced I had hemorrhoids and gave me steroid suppositories. When I finally went to a GI a few weeks later, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and prescribed colazal. At this point, my UC was limited to my rectum/lower colon.
A few months later it spread to my entire colon and I was hospitalized. I was also tested for C Diff and that was positive - so they gave me prednisone, flagyl, and the works.
Anyway, the point of this post is to hear everyone's story of how UC onset for them. For me, it onset 5-6 days into treatment with 2 antibiotics (1 was Cipro, and the other started with a Z but I forgot the full name). So I am convinced my issue is imbalanced good/bad flora in my colon.
How did your UC first rear its ugly head?
I was always healthy...never had to go to a doctor or anything. I quit smoking and within days started having UC symptoms. It may have just been a coincidence. Who knows. I don't think quitting CAUSED the UC, but smoking may have been holding back symptoms
I had actually never had an antibiotic in my life at that point
26 year old female
Diagnosed with unspecified UC 11/08
Asacol, Prednisone, 3 infusions of Remicade with no success
8/09 colonoscopy shows that the whole colon is affected
12/18/09 First part of J-Pouch surgery; recessed stoma
12/30/09 Second part of J-Pouch surgery too soon; fistula
1/9/10 Second Ileostomy Surgery with sparing of the J-Pouch
1/25/10 Stoma Revision Surgery and Fistula Repair
Now just trying to hold out as long as possible until we can try the next surgery
Imodium (8/day), Questran (3/day)
I had actually never had an antibiotic in my life at that point
26 year old female
Diagnosed with unspecified UC 11/08
Asacol, Prednisone, 3 infusions of Remicade with no success
8/09 colonoscopy shows that the whole colon is affected
12/18/09 First part of J-Pouch surgery; recessed stoma
12/30/09 Second part of J-Pouch surgery too soon; fistula
1/9/10 Second Ileostomy Surgery with sparing of the J-Pouch
1/25/10 Stoma Revision Surgery and Fistula Repair
Now just trying to hold out as long as possible until we can try the next surgery
Imodium (8/day), Questran (3/day)
Post Edited (pam222) : 3/9/2010 11:43:56 AM (GMT-7)
At that period of my life I was constantly sick. I was on antibiotics almost continously for various infections. I only had sporadic bouts of D at that time UNTIL I had some of my hubby's grandmother's "toxic" turkey at Thanksgiving. Then all heck broke loose. So for me, it could've been a combination of antibiotic overusage and/or food poisoning.
@--->--SHERRY--<---@
Moderator for Allergies/Asthma and Co-moderator for UC
~Left sided Uc-'92-Colazal(6 daily),6mp(50-100mgs),Bentyl, Prilosec,Biotin,Forvia,Pro-Bio**Unable to tolerate ALL mesalamines**~Allergies-Singulair, Zyrtec~Secondary Reynauds Syndrome~Sacroiliitis~bulging and herniated discs C5/C6 & C6/C7~Epidural injections (2 series of 3), OA-Tylonel Arthritis, Celebrex, Fibromyalgia (diagnosis pending)
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I think mine was triggered by post-partum hormonal craziness. But I also wonder if it was triggered by becoming pregnant, because I think I might have been midly flaring throughout my entire pregnancy. I never was constipated, and if anything, pooped more often than I ever had before. I didn't think anything of it, because it was never diarrhea and never urgent. I also had my son three weeks early, which is pretty common among UCers.
Co-Moderator, UC Forum
Co-Moderator, UC Forum
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, multivitamin. Used prednisone (starting dose 40 mg) to get into remission.
Mine was triggered after antibiotic use as well. It was after the birth of my second child, so pregnancy could have also played a part, but prior to, during and immediately after pregnancy, I was completely normal in terms of my bowels. I had never had any trouble.
In the years prior though, I had been on a lot of antibiotics-I had incision problems after both births. My second time around, I had been put on a 3 or 4 week course of erythromycin, more as a precautionary measure, by my OB. At that time, no one told me anything about probiotics or even just eating yogurt or anything while on such a long course, not that I am sure it would have made a difference. Anyway, literally the day after the antibiotic course was finished, I started seeing blood in my stool. A few months later, I was diagnosed with UC and put on colazal. Got into remission very quickly, but my GI at that time didn't know much about UC, didn't explain things well to me, etc. I went off the meds, then when I started flaring again, going back on the meds didn't work. I ended up hospitalized in the end-much like you described. Ended up getting blood transfusions, iron transfusions, flagyl, pred, the works. Got into a trial for Humira and that worked like a dream for a while. It recently failed and I was hospitalized again. I am starting up on Remicade now-I have only had one transfusion thus far. It helped-along with the steroids-but I am still bleeding, having pain and nausea, etc. I am supposed to get my next transfusion tomorrow (there might be a hiccup with my PPD results from the hospital-argh), so I am hoping it will continue to kick in and help get me back into remission for a while.
I am scheduled also to see an Integrative doc this week and I am interested to hear what he has to say. I am not sure how much hope I have of controlling things with whatever methods he prescribes, but I feel like anything is worth a try right now.
In the end, I have a feeling I will have surgery at some point. Part of me wonders why I don't just move on to it now, but I guess I haven't given up hope yet of some long standing remission. I know most people seem to be very happy with having had surgery, but it scares me. The idea of still going to the bathroom so many times a day is just not where I want to be in my life just yet if I can help it. But I am not naive, and I realize it is likely going to happen at some point.
I also should mention that I have a genetic link to AI-my dad has psorasis and my brother has vitiligo. I don't know of anyone else in our families with AI, but there is that link. And I am terrified of giving my kids antibiotics. I try every natural method I can with them because of my UC (and often we have been able to avoid antibiotics), and when they do have to be on them, I make sure they are also on a probiotic during the course.
I am rambling now, lol. LOOONG story short, all of my docs have agreed that antibiotic use triggered mine. And most people feel there was some malpractice involved in the births of my daughters, but that was never something I had interest in pursuing. They are healthy and I have switched practices.
Laura
34 years old, stay at home mom of 2 girls, ages 4 and 3
Diagnosed in March 2007, symptoms started Dec. 2006
Currently on:
Asacol 6pills/day
OUT of Humira trial-it stopped working
Back on pred (40mg), Rowasa nightliy, Canasa 1000mg in the AM
Also take multivitamins, milk thistle, VSL#3 (2-4 packets daily right now), Ulimate Flora Critical Care, MegaZyme, Turmeric, Bee Propolis, Omega 3, Slippery Elm and PepZin daily. P-seed powder as well (2t. in the AM) Waiting to see what comes next...
In the years prior though, I had been on a lot of antibiotics-I had incision problems after both births. My second time around, I had been put on a 3 or 4 week course of erythromycin, more as a precautionary measure, by my OB. At that time, no one told me anything about probiotics or even just eating yogurt or anything while on such a long course, not that I am sure it would have made a difference. Anyway, literally the day after the antibiotic course was finished, I started seeing blood in my stool. A few months later, I was diagnosed with UC and put on colazal. Got into remission very quickly, but my GI at that time didn't know much about UC, didn't explain things well to me, etc. I went off the meds, then when I started flaring again, going back on the meds didn't work. I ended up hospitalized in the end-much like you described. Ended up getting blood transfusions, iron transfusions, flagyl, pred, the works. Got into a trial for Humira and that worked like a dream for a while. It recently failed and I was hospitalized again. I am starting up on Remicade now-I have only had one transfusion thus far. It helped-along with the steroids-but I am still bleeding, having pain and nausea, etc. I am supposed to get my next transfusion tomorrow (there might be a hiccup with my PPD results from the hospital-argh), so I am hoping it will continue to kick in and help get me back into remission for a while.
I am scheduled also to see an Integrative doc this week and I am interested to hear what he has to say. I am not sure how much hope I have of controlling things with whatever methods he prescribes, but I feel like anything is worth a try right now.
In the end, I have a feeling I will have surgery at some point. Part of me wonders why I don't just move on to it now, but I guess I haven't given up hope yet of some long standing remission. I know most people seem to be very happy with having had surgery, but it scares me. The idea of still going to the bathroom so many times a day is just not where I want to be in my life just yet if I can help it. But I am not naive, and I realize it is likely going to happen at some point.
I also should mention that I have a genetic link to AI-my dad has psorasis and my brother has vitiligo. I don't know of anyone else in our families with AI, but there is that link. And I am terrified of giving my kids antibiotics. I try every natural method I can with them because of my UC (and often we have been able to avoid antibiotics), and when they do have to be on them, I make sure they are also on a probiotic during the course.
I am rambling now, lol. LOOONG story short, all of my docs have agreed that antibiotic use triggered mine. And most people feel there was some malpractice involved in the births of my daughters, but that was never something I had interest in pursuing. They are healthy and I have switched practices.
Laura
34 years old, stay at home mom of 2 girls, ages 4 and 3
Diagnosed in March 2007, symptoms started Dec. 2006
Currently on:
Asacol 6pills/day
OUT of Humira trial-it stopped working
Back on pred (40mg), Rowasa nightliy, Canasa 1000mg in the AM
Also take multivitamins, milk thistle, VSL#3 (2-4 packets daily right now), Ulimate Flora Critical Care, MegaZyme, Turmeric, Bee Propolis, Omega 3, Slippery Elm and PepZin daily. P-seed powder as well (2t. in the AM) Waiting to see what comes next...
If you are certain that antibiotics triggered your UC then there might be a silver lining. There are members on this forum who have gone into remission with a strong regimen of probiotics, and even a couple who have successfully tried fecal transplantation.
My guess is that people who have begun suffering when their bacterial gut flora was destroyed by antibiotics would more likely go into remission when their fecal flora was restored. Of course it does not work for everyone.
Looking back I had mild symptoms for years that lasted for a couple of days then would disappear. But what really set me down the road to flarestown, I believe, was when I got into the daily habit of eating ice cream at the stone cold creamery, which sells ice cream packed with carrageenan.
At the same time I allowed myself to overdose on caffeine. Along with a large coffee everyday for breakfast I got addicted to Trader Joe's Green and White ice tea, about 2 gallons a weak. I told myself that it was OK because green tea was supposed to be good for you. Two weeks of overdosing on carrageenan and caffeine, I started a serious flare that lasted for months.
My guess is that people who have begun suffering when their bacterial gut flora was destroyed by antibiotics would more likely go into remission when their fecal flora was restored. Of course it does not work for everyone.
Looking back I had mild symptoms for years that lasted for a couple of days then would disappear. But what really set me down the road to flarestown, I believe, was when I got into the daily habit of eating ice cream at the stone cold creamery, which sells ice cream packed with carrageenan.
At the same time I allowed myself to overdose on caffeine. Along with a large coffee everyday for breakfast I got addicted to Trader Joe's Green and White ice tea, about 2 gallons a weak. I told myself that it was OK because green tea was supposed to be good for you. Two weeks of overdosing on carrageenan and caffeine, I started a serious flare that lasted for months.
Post Edited (BabeintheWoods) : 3/9/2010 3:25:03 PM (GMT-7)
I think mine was caused by antibiotics too. I was first diagnosed with h-pylori and I was given antibiotics for it. I was feeling better and stayed on them longer than I should have and I ended up killing off everything in my digestive system. Seven months laters I was diagnosed with UC. The same thing happened to me as a baby and I think that losing all my gut flora twice was just too much for my immune system. I was also very sick as a kid. I was strep carrier and I was sick with it ALL the time. Because of that I was on antis a lot.
Sam(antha)
21 year old college student diagnosed in March 2005
Remission since January/April 2006-->FOUR years!
Meds: 3 750mg Colazal 2x, 25mg Elavil, 75mg Effexor XR for GAD, ortho lo
Sam(antha)
21 year old college student diagnosed in March 2005
Remission since January/April 2006-->FOUR years!
Meds: 3 750mg Colazal 2x, 25mg Elavil, 75mg Effexor XR for GAD, ortho lo
"It is not the strongest speices that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change"
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
I think mine was overuse of antibiotics as a child. My family doctor prescribed antibiotics for EVERYTHING. I was also a former smoker, but only smoked a few cigarettes a day and quit several years before the onset of UC.
The odd thing though was that I was following the Adkins (or is it Atkins) Diet for two weeks prior to the onset of debilitating symptoms. Doctor thinks this is just a coincidence.
As a child I always had symptoms of IBS.
Diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis in 1998 in hospital
Hospitalized (2nd time) in May 2008 for ten days.
Remission Nov 08 thru May of 09.
Flare May of 09 thru Aug of 09. Very short remission. Flared again Nov 1st. Started Remicade Nov 18th. Felt great after first two infusions. Suffered a set back after 3rd infusion on Dec 31st. Meds: Benicar, Colazal, Prednisone (hopefully short course), Calcium with D, multivitamin, probiotic. Rectal meds..Proctofoam, cort suppositories....cannot retain the enemas.
My first UC attack out of the blue, long long ago, started in the form of non-stop diarhea following a spicy meal of spaghetti and spaghetti sauce cooked up by a friend (I am assumning one of the sauce ingredients had some e.coli or something but who knows, and it any case it was well cooked right in front of me), but I have had at least two big relapses occur following the use of oral antibiotics (once for strep throat and another time for dental surgery).
"In order to save the village, we had to destroy it." -- Medical proverb.
"In order to save the village, we had to destroy it." -- Medical proverb.
Mine started really bad after I quit smoking. Prior to that I didn't think my BM's were bad because I was just happy I wasn't constipated. I have only had antibiotics once in 20 years. I was on flagyl when I was diagnosed but that was started after I was going 20 times a day.
I did try a "master clense" but I didn't last 24 hours on that right before my symptoms got so bad.
Supplements: Bromelain 1 times a day, Tummeric 1 times a day, Good Belly probiotics 1 time a day. Multi, Vit D, B-complex. Soluable Fiber supplement..
Maybe? in remission
Is anyone on here?
Im still not certain of my trigger, but I do remember getting on a celery/ranch dressing kick and I blew out the bottom end so to speak in 93. I just thought that i over ate my veggies to cause bleeding. But after knowing that my mother was diagnosed with UC at the age of 18, I went to the doc for the scope and was told that I had UC also. Now been living with it for 17 years. I do feel lucky as my symptoms were "somewhat" tolerable since it was proctosigmoiditis that I was diagnosed with. Still ...an UC is not fun UC.
UC - diagnosed in 1993
Turning 40 this year!!!
JUST changed to Lialda: 4/day JUST changed back to Pentasa
Probiotics
Canasa when needed
Vegetarian Diet
UC - diagnosed in 1993
Turning 40 this year!!!
JUST changed to Lialda: 4/day JUST changed back to Pentasa
Probiotics
Canasa when needed
Vegetarian Diet
Antibiotics.
In remission.
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 crystalline fructose, No foods high in fructose, No artificial sweeteners, No pro-inflammatory foods when flaring, Vitamins, Lexapro (for stress).
What works for me: Fecal transplantation, Probiotics, Anti-inflammatory foods, No HFCS, No crystalline fructose, No foods high in fructose, No artificial sweeteners, No pro-inflammatory foods when flaring, Vitamins, Lexapro (for stress).
I'm really surprised at all the Antibiotics answers! You've got me concerned, because I'm on antibiotics right now for a bacterial infection in my lungs and it's already set my UC symptoms off. I don't want to screw myself over.
I started having stomach problems after I started swimming in the Columbia River with my friend in 4th grade, but didn't develop UC until I was 19. I talked to my doctor about it and he said that it's possible that because the river is so contaminated and polluted that something got into my intestinal track, my immune system started fighting it and just wouldn't stop. But now that I know antibiotics are an option, that very well could have happened to me as well. I was on antibiotics a couple of times directly before my UC started.
Also, for those of you that noticed symptoms after you quit smoking, nicotine is actually good for your digestive track. The one thing it's good for! I've heard of people given nicotine patches for their digestive problems.
I started having stomach problems after I started swimming in the Columbia River with my friend in 4th grade, but didn't develop UC until I was 19. I talked to my doctor about it and he said that it's possible that because the river is so contaminated and polluted that something got into my intestinal track, my immune system started fighting it and just wouldn't stop. But now that I know antibiotics are an option, that very well could have happened to me as well. I was on antibiotics a couple of times directly before my UC started.
Also, for those of you that noticed symptoms after you quit smoking, nicotine is actually good for your digestive track. The one thing it's good for! I've heard of people given nicotine patches for their digestive problems.
It's actually the carbon monoxide that has an anti-inflammatory affect on the colon. My IBD was initially triggered from birth control pills and then the birth of my first baby, so I'd say mine is likely more hormonal as far as the trigger goes...I've hardly ever been on antibiotics before or after IBD.
:)
bee propolis caps 500mg one cap twice/day
omegas 369 caps one cap twice/day
probiotics 10 billion cfu once/day
vitamins C-calcium ascorbate (easy on the gut) and vitamin A each once/day
Prodiem fibre supplement one cap before bed
I've also altered my diet (no junky stuff at all, processed, fast-foods, refined sugars, ect) and exercise regularly.
I went from 30+ bloody BM's/day with lots of lower back pain to an average of 5/day no bleeding no back pain and completely formed stools, still have severe urgency issues.
~~~~~~~~My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it! LOL :)~~~~~~~~
:)
bee propolis caps 500mg one cap twice/day
omegas 369 caps one cap twice/day
probiotics 10 billion cfu once/day
vitamins C-calcium ascorbate (easy on the gut) and vitamin A each once/day
Prodiem fibre supplement one cap before bed
I've also altered my diet (no junky stuff at all, processed, fast-foods, refined sugars, ect) and exercise regularly.
I went from 30+ bloody BM's/day with lots of lower back pain to an average of 5/day no bleeding no back pain and completely formed stools, still have severe urgency issues.
~~~~~~~~My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it! LOL :)~~~~~~~~
C-diff is for sure brought on by over abuse of antibiotics (it's also contagious) and if it doesn't get treated soon enough or thoroughly enough then it can linger for yrs and remians in the colon "like" UC.
:)
bee propolis caps 500mg one cap twice/day
omegas 369 caps one cap twice/day
probiotics 10 billion cfu once/day
vitamins C-calcium ascorbate (easy on the gut) and vitamin A each once/day
Prodiem fibre supplement one cap before bed
I've also altered my diet (no junky stuff at all, processed, fast-foods, refined sugars, ect) and exercise regularly.
I went from 30+ bloody BM's/day with lots of lower back pain to an average of 5/day no bleeding no back pain and completely formed stools, still have severe urgency issues.
~~~~~~~~My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it! LOL :)~~~~~~~~
:)
bee propolis caps 500mg one cap twice/day
omegas 369 caps one cap twice/day
probiotics 10 billion cfu once/day
vitamins C-calcium ascorbate (easy on the gut) and vitamin A each once/day
Prodiem fibre supplement one cap before bed
I've also altered my diet (no junky stuff at all, processed, fast-foods, refined sugars, ect) and exercise regularly.
I went from 30+ bloody BM's/day with lots of lower back pain to an average of 5/day no bleeding no back pain and completely formed stools, still have severe urgency issues.
~~~~~~~~My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it! LOL :)~~~~~~~~
Amoxicillin for a mouth infection - for 20 days - then D and blood. I have had IBS for many years but no bleeding until 3 years ago.
ElaineNY
Senior - diagnosed with proctosigmoiditis - 6/2008 Cannot tolerate mesalamines including rectal meds, etc.
Prednisone for about 5 months - tried 6 MP with no help.
No prescriptions now except for Cortifoam about once a week. Now treating only with Imodium and Pepto Bismal and below....
Probiotic Align, Prilosec for GERD, Gas-X, vitamins, Calcium/D
Tylenol for knees and arthritis.
I firmly believe that my catalyst was some kind of food borne illness........ woke up one morning with extreme nausea, vomitting, D, bad headache, dizziness........ one day later started passing blood, thought it was my system still healing..... got worse from there. Lost over 20 lbs in a month........ Five years later, here I am.
You don't know how strong you really are until being strong is your only option.
You don't know how strong you really are until being strong is your only option.
My best friends are stain resistant..... I can spill anything on them.
Age 39
Diagnosed with Ulcerative Proctitis December 2005
Diagnosed with Left sided Colitis January 2009
Pentasa, Salofalk, Prednisone
After I got on antibiotics for wisdom teeth, my symptoms started. For me it seems something going wrong in the bacterial balance.
Raw foods diet
Raw foods diet
I think I'm genetically predisposed. I have grand parents on both sides that had some form of IBD and I have a sister with Chron's. My UC reared it's ugly head when I quit smoking.
U.C. (Proctosigmoiditis) DX 2004 after quiting smoking
U.C. (Proctosigmoiditis) DX 2004 after quiting smoking
Currently fighting flare since 7/07/09
CURRENT MEDS: Asacol 4x3 daily; Finally Off the evil Pred (tapered from 40mg); Azathioprine 100mg (Discontinued due to elevated liver enzymes); Hydrocortisone enema nightly; Probiotic 12 billion cfu; Psillium Husk Powder; Fish Oil; Multi-Vitamin
I don't believe diet contributes to my flares, however some foods tend to irritate symptoms while flarring.