How Long Was Your First Flare Since Being Diagnosed with Colitis?

Hello everyone my name is Eli, I am 19 years old and got diagnosed with mild Ulcerative Colitis on August 1st of this year.

I am just wondering how long a flare can last because for me it seems like an eternity, going on more than 1 month while figuring out a right diet and keeping my flare under control.

I am just looking for advice from people who have more experience, I really need help figuring this out and getting my life back!

Thank you.

Some more about Eli:

I am an outgoing type of guy, currently in third year university, I am a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity at the University of Ottawa in Canada.

I love watching hockey, use to play soccer, love dairy and fatty foods but my UC kind of shut the door on those types of food. I dont know what else to add, im just your average canadian guy!

Current Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms:

Right now, I have bloody diarrhea, only go to the bathroom during the morning and before bed so about three times a day, cramping is still present but minimal and the stool is liquidy.

I am still on a flare because I got diagnosed little over a month ago so still trying to figure everything out. I only received my diagnosis this week on September 15th 2014, I have mild UC on my left side so im on 40mg of Prednisone a day.

How Long Was Your First Flare Since Being Diagnosed with Colitis?

So I am just wondering on how to stop a flare up if there are any normal remedies, I’ve seen a lot of people with UC making their own juice blend but I am scared of trying any fruit because I’m still on a flare.

Since being diagnosed I’ve lost 50 pounds, had to pretty much put my life on hold for a bit until this flare is gone so as soon as I was diagnosed I was scared because I didn’t know what it was and just became a grumpy fellow as the pain just got worse by the days. Right now I am doing much better, gained 5 pounds but I still have mild cramping and urgency to go to the bathroom with a bloody stool.

I am currently on Prednisone 40mg a day started it on September 15th 2014 so a week ago now.

I am just curious to ask other people, how long did your first flare last since being first diagnosed with UC?. For me its been a month and 20 days and my flare is still present but less active as before. I am just wondering if my full recovery from it will take up to a year or 6 months, so if you feel like sharing your story please do.

Currently I’ve been on a low residual diet so I minimized my fiber intake yet I still have some discomfort. To give seasoning to my food I only put salt, Turmeric and Cumin, before going on Prednisone I felt no pain or bloody stool but while on Prednisone the bloody stool and cramping came back so I was wondering if Prednisone could be the cause of it or is it just the spices.

UC just flipped my life upside down and I need help to stop this flare and just have a worry free feeling of going out of the house without the worrying factor of locating a bathroom every 5 seconds.

written by Eli Z

submitted in the colitis venting area