Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis May 2017. I went for years with mucus and slight bleeding on bad constipation days until I got really bad bleeding in about April of 2017. Finally saw GI and after biopsy performed to rule out any infection was diagnosed.
Controlled with Canasa Supps and high fiber diet. Unlike most folks I suffer from constipation and not diarrhea. Also experience muscle/ tendon pains and random hives.
Some background on me:
45 year old Male. Pflugerville,Texas. Father of one, Married and have successful long term career. Mostly worried about long term implications of this. This being all new to us and having to find ways to manage it.
Some more on me and what I like to do:
Electronics Engineering technician by day and hobbyist mechanic on my off time / weekends. Enjoy cars, motorcycles, and tech gadgets.
My Questions for the UC’ers Out There:
I would like to know from other users if they have also experienced any type of random muscle / joint pain and any skin conditions such as hives or psoriasis. My primary doctor ran a full metabolic panel which showed I test positive for ANA’s ( antinuclear Antibodies ) on the low range but still positive. But my Rheumatoid factor was OK.
Reading online what that could be freaks you out because it can range anywhere from it being just the side effects of the meds, your UC itself causing it since it is an autoimmune disorder or worse being Hepatitis or some other type of viral infection.
My hives condition is more like Urticaria as I will get a hive randomly on my body and it will go away within an hour or two. Found out I am sensitive to cold as I swelled up when working outside one day. Hot shower and 30 mins later I was fine.
So far GI visits seem to be more of them just checking to see if it’s controlled. Been on the Canasa for 6 months now. Still dread inserting them. I found its best to do in shower and just get cleaned up afterwards.
Also experienced some insomnia coupled with stress on top of this. I’ve tried melatonin and my doctor gave me some Trazodone to help me sleep. It works ok some days but I still wake up and first thing I think about is my condition and what could be wrong with me.
I get to see a Rheumatologist at the beginning of the year so hopefully can find whats causing my other symptoms. Mostly just been scared of whats going on within me that isn’t able to be diagnosed easily. Still holing on to hope. We will see.
Medications that Seems to Be Working;
Canasa suppositories, high fiber diet, lots of water. This combo seems to be working well for me. Minimal blood only during a flare up.
written by Jackson
submitted in the colitis venting area
45/M Pflugerville, Texas. Father of one, Married and have successful long term career. Mostly worried about long term implications of this. This being all new to us and having to find ways to manage it.
