My UC/UP story

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2004
My UC/UP story
2
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 1:34am
Hi everyone! I am going to lay my story out on the line, I have a few questions and would really love any advice or input...

Almost 2 months ago I noticed small amounts of bleeding and mucus with my bm. I kinda put it to the back of my mind, then a few weeks later I'm on webmd and other sites, and I flipped out when I found out what this could be symptoms of. I have had no pain, no diarrhea or constipation, appetite is fine (friends call me the bottomless pit!), my menstrual cyles are so regular you can set your watch, the only problem is what I see in the toilet.

My mother had ulcerative colitis for 8 years, then colon cancer for 9 months and passed away. I always knew I should be on early alert for the same, but again, was thinking I could wait til about 30 (I'm 24 now).

A few weeks ago, I was leaving work and felt a sharp pain in my right side. It lasted about a second, but it caught me off guard, that and I didnt have a bm that day or the day before. For some reason, I got really worried and scared, so I went to the ER. They did a rectal exam, bloodwork, said I was fine, but the doc said I probably have UC (I told him about my mom, so was it just an easy answer for him to give me???) and referred me to a GI.

So last week I went to see him, and also had a sigmoidoscopy (I was too chicken to do a full colonoscopy- all that talk of possible perforation!) I got my results from the biopsies taken that I have ulcerative proctitis. About 13 cm of my rectum is inflamed, which sounds like a lot, but I guess out of 5 feet of total colon its not too bad?

Since my trip to the ER, I modified my diet- no coffee (used to drink it everyday) no soda, no red meat, no fast food (hard when you work in a mall!). The bleeding went down from once daily to only a couple times a week. When I told the GI that I saw less bleeding, he didnt seem imterested in what I was doing and when I asked about any other dietary changes, he shrugged and said to do whatever felt good and worked.

He prescribed Canasa, which I started tonight. I am supposed to see him again in 4 weeks.

#1. I am not thrilled about the drug- the possible side affects are all things worse than my previous symptoms! I hope I dont end up being allergic- its been about 3 hours since insertion, so far so good...

#2. I would much rather cure this naturally anyway. I am looking into trying aloe vera juice and have been adding fiber daily (metamucil). I thought about going vegetarian, but I LOVE fish! I also read something about how a gluten free diet may help. Oh, and I am better about taking my multivitamin daily :)

I'm sorry this is so long... But if anyone has UC or UP, please let me know what else I can do/try to stop the mucus- it scares me that the lining of a very important organ is shedding!!!! After seeing my mother on Azulfidine for 8 years and suffer through cancer, I am not a fan of supposedly modern medecine. I NEVER take meds- not for cramps, colds, NOTHING! Mind over body!

I was REALLY stressed this year- a lot going on at work, and im sure it didnt help matters any. I am trying to relax more, and not let work take over my life.

#3. I would like to find a new GI. I wasnt crazy about this guy, he seemed indifferent overall and lacked confidence. His nurse was a complete b**** too! So, if you know of a good doc in Chicago, PLEASE let me know who!

Thanks for reading all this... my friends are great, but none of them have this, and I really dont want to get into all the gory details with them either.

Again, any advice will be greatly appreciated :)

-M

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
In reply to: citymari
Fri, 11-05-2004 - 6:56am

Hi and Welcome

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
In reply to: citymari
Sat, 11-06-2004 - 12:00pm

HI M!


Welcome aboard.