Introduction to Mike:
22 year old, Jewish, male, New Yorker (Manhattanite, born and bred), entering my last semester of college. Looking to get into the sports world – I aspire to be the General Manager of the New York Football Giants or New York Hockey Rangers. Haha
Colitis Symptoms:
Bowel frequency (I go 3-7 times a day)
Cramps and stomach discomfort
Kidney Stones (as a result of UC)
Mike’s Colitis Story:
Hey guys,
I was just curious how frequently you guys have colonoscopies and/or sigmoidoscopies (mainly directed towards the people who haven’t had any surgery for UC). Do you have one every 6 months? Every year? Every 3 years? 10 years? Or do you not have one until you feel like you’re regressing? As most of us know, a colonoscopy (particularly, the prep) is not the most fun thing in the world and a sigmoidoscopy is not much better (though, at least we don’t have to fast and we don’t have to spend all night on the toilet). They’re both pains in the asses (pun intended) so I was wondering how often you guys get one and how often your GI wants one. Personally, I feel that if you’re somewhat symptom-free and living a normal life (albeit, on medication for UC), there’s no need to have a frequent colonoscopy. It depends on the severity. Maybe every 3-5 years? Or not even…Maybe they should only be for the ones who are suffering greatly from UC, or the eld erly with weakened immune systems. Then again, I’m no doctor and I’m a nervous nelly. I will admit, however, I dread going for another colonoscopy. I already have two sigmoidoscopies and one colonoscopy and they were nightmares. I had my first colonoscopy in December. The stuff you need to drink? Disgusting! I threw up twice from it. And you can’t eat! And you’re butt is so raw at the end of the night from all the pooping…hurts like hell. I want to avoid getting either one at all costs, but my health is the most important thing to me and I don’t want to put myself at a bigger risk by not having a yearly colonoscopy or whatever. At the same time, I don’t want to put my body and my psyche through the torture of it if it’s not necessary.
Side-question, is there such thing as a fat person with UC? What about an extremely fit person (like a bodybuilder/model type) with UC? I’ve never seen either one. Haha
Where I’d like to be in 1 year:
Cured. Hopefully, they will find a cure to UC sooner rather than later (and I am hopeful and confident they will because many people with UC are already living a symptom-free life and haven’t had their intestines/colon removed)
Colitis Medications:
Asacol HD – 3 800 MG pills in the morning
Florastor – 1 in the morning, 1 at night
written by Mike from NYC
submitted in the colitis venting area
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I was finally diagnosed in December of 2011
