Struggling with UC

Intro:

I was diagnosed with UC last year in June. I had colonoscopy about the same time. It confirmed I have UC and
30 cms of my colon is affected. I was pescribed Balsalazide 8 grams for a month and hydrocortisone enemas for two weeks. I was in remission since then. I had been careful with my diet. I have lactose intolerance, avoid dairy completely. I started to feel that my UC is flaring for couple of weeks and now has flared fully. I am going to call my GI tomorrow. I don’t know why it has flared and what I can do to achieve remission. I have abdominal cramps mucus in stools and urgency to run to bathroom and traces of blood with stools.

Some more background about Mirza:

I am 52 years old physically active go to gym 2-3 times a week. I play racquetball, I have been physically active all my life. Watch my diet. I don’t smoke and I don’t drink. I am normal weight.

Symptoms:

Lactose intolerance, currently flaring. Abdominal cramps, gas, mucus in stools, traces of blood in stools, urgency in bowel movement lot of gas.

Mirza’s UC Story:

UC has changed my life completely. I avoid dairy products completely, even lactose free milk gives me diarrhea. I have to watch out what I eat and drink. I had to tell family and friends that I have UC and that at I am lactose intolerant.

When I went to GI after suffering for about two years the medicine he put me on brought immediate relief to me and I was in remission for almost a year. Colonoscopy showed that 30 cms of my colon is affected by UC. I had thought I could control it with my diet. I am depressed and don’t know what to do to achieve remission this time. I thought if I completely avoid food that bothers my stomach I can stay symptom free. I have been on maintenance dosage of Lialda.

I read a lot on Internet on anything on UC and what others have done to achieve remission and stayed symptom free from UC. I am willing to try alternative medicine that can help me achieve remission.

When I read Aloe Vera gel is good for UC I ate it religiously for a long time. I eat a tea spoon full of psyllium husk everyday with breakfast when I found out it’s good for UC. I drink ginger tea every day after finding out it is good for UC. I do some Yoga every day. I think I have a balanced diet. I like to eat mostly vegetables but I also eat some meat. I eat bananas in breakfast and I take omega 3 and vitamin D supplements. I was told by a GI that probiotics supplement is good for lactose intolerance. I am thinking of adding that to my diet. I was told by my GI that there is no cure for UC and you have to live with it.

Medication List:

Currently Maintenance dosage of Lialda 1.25 grams x 2 daily
Balsalazide 8 grams daily for a month and hydrocortisone enemas for two weeks.

written by Mirza B

submitted in the colitis venting area