Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at 71
I’m a male 71 yeas old and was diagnosed with UC about 6 weeks ago! Previously I had occasional bleeding hemorrhoids for several years. About 1 year ago I had more frequent episodes with blood in my stool and mistakenly thought it to be the hemorrhoids, probably some denial there! Also I developed a strange back ache about 2 years ago which now seems to be directly related to the UC! About 2 months ago I experienced bloody diarrhea with cramping which would keep me on the toilet for hours at a time! I was prescribed Mesalamine 375mg 8 per day 4 in the morning and 4 in the evening. This has a quick effect in eliminating the symptoms within several days. However, I believe I’m having side effects, stomach cramps, headache in the temple area, and increased back ache and confused thinking. I’m going to start tomorrow on 1/2 doses per the doctor, hoping this will lessen the side effects. I would really appreciate other peoples stories with t his medication?
More about Jack:
I’m a retired Mechanical Engineer, now into photography, birds being my big passion as well as landscapes. I operated an on-line music business for about 10 years that was semi successful, but no longer in existence. I served 2 years in the Army during Viet Nam, and worked 30 years in engineering!
Colitis Symptoms:
My colon seems back to normal. BM’s are close to normal, no diarrhea, just what I think are side effects of the Mesalamine, stomach cramps, head aches, fuzzy thinking and back ache. These come and go and seems to come a couple hours after meals?
I’m of the opinion I’ve cause this condition by excessive anxiety which has greatly increased after the latest election and political atmosphere in this country! I’m working on meditation techniques aimed at sending healing vibes to the colon, reducing the amount of news and negativity coming from TV and internet. I’ve also started a new exercise program, bike riding which I feel I can maintain on a regular basis.
written by Jack Sutton
submitted in the colitis venting area
Jack was recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 71, if you have some ideas for him, please leave them in the comments section, for sure he will appreciate it.
