Hi guys,

I am Simon, married to Libby and have a daughter Lauren (very nearly 21). I have been a self employed Project Manager within the food manufacturing industry (one you might know big into sauces, cans goods etc and there maybe 57 varieties). I was diagnosed with UC 5 years ago. My father has Crohn’s, as did my grandmother and it is suspected that my great grandfather also had Crohns, He died of Dysentery, how times have changed.

Some more background on Simon:

I live in the North West of the UK, close to Liverpool and Chester. I enjoy playing golf and spending time with my family. We also try to escape to a place in Spain called Mojacar as much as possible when we can enjoy the sun, sea, sand and tapas.

Symptoms of UC:

I can’t really say if I am in a flare or semi flare at the moment as my gastro nurse and myself think i have learnt to live with my symptoms. These I must say are no where near as bad as what some of you guys are suffering.

Currently I am not fatigued, my joints are not hurting but i do find after a long walk i need a snooze. My poops are like a very thick Mr Whippy Ice cream but with lots of blood.

It’s Windy

I was diagnosed with UC 5 years ago. After years of going back and to to my doctors and them always saying ‘you have piles and here is some cream’, I ended up with an appointment with a young graduate doctor. How thankful am I to this doctor as she was not happy with the problems I was going through and she made me an appointment to see a Gastro specialist. Very quickly after that and following en endoscopy i was diagnosed. I have been up and down for the past 5 years with bleeding and fatigue being there most of the time. Like everyone else I go through periods of urgency and at these times it feels like UC is all we talk about and analyse, what food is causing the problem, is it stress etc etc. Normally is medication and time that gets it back under control and a big sign of relief can be heard. Following a not so near miss whilst on holiday I became slightly paranoid about going out without an escape plan, nearest toilet or close to the car. Thankfully these are not frequent occurrences.

The main question i have at the moment is i go through stages of feeling extremely bloated and have very bad wind (thankfully it does not smell).

At the same time my stomach ‘talks’ to me and anyone else that will listen and this is rather embarrassing when you are attending or running an meeting (which is a great part of my day).

Does anyone else suffer from similar problems and has anyone found any successful remedies. I am avoiding beans etc.

I moved in the summer from Pentaza to Mesavancol 3.6g / day, a mesalazine suppository and ferrous sulphate as my iron levels have been low.

I know this is small compared to what some are going through but i would appreciate your help.

Thanks Fellow UC’ers

Medications / Supplyements:

I have tried probiotic tablets, but not sure they made a great deal of difference

I have watched my diet but not changed it dramatically

written by Simon P

submitted in the colitis venting area