UC and Diverticulitis???

Introduction:

Hi there fellow UC’ers. My name is Jeannie. I’m married, 32 years old, and have 3 daughters. I was diagnosed with UC in December of 2009.

My Symptoms:

Currently, I feel pretty good ( except for Prednisone side effects). I am coming out of a flare up that began in July.

My Story:

In August I did end up in the hospital for six days, which was nothing since I have been averaging a 3-4 week stay on previous flare ups.

I thought my GI and I had this flare up under control after increasing meds and starting prednisone. But I woke up one morning in terrible pain. Not my normal flare up pain. This was high up on my left side. I couldn’t move. This had to be close to the worst pain I have ever had. So my darling and very supportive hubby came home from work and took me to the local ER.

After getting some lovely pain meds and drinking that yummy contrast, I went for a CT Scan. The doctor came in and told me that I had micro perforations. The first thing I thought was surgery. But fortunately they felt that I could be treated with IV antibiotics.

Through all this, my regular GI (who I am very happy with) was on a cruise (jealous). His partners were seeing me while I was in the hospital. They kept saying things like “pockets” and “ticks” and “diverticuli”. But wait, I don’t have diverticulitis, I have ulcerative colitis.

After I finally get to see my regular GI, I ask if I have diverticulitis. He assures me that I do not have it. He has never seen any signs when he has scoped me. We decide to proceed with our treatment plan, which is Remicaid infusions. Today I receive a phone call from Doc. He looked at my CT films over the weekend, and yes, my transverse colon looked very suspicious. He wants another CT.

So now do I have diverticulitis on top of UC? So I guess after all my rambling, my question is, does any one else out there have both diseases?

Current Medications:

Pentesa 500mg two caps 4 times a day
Lialda 1.2gr two tabs daily
Imuran 50mg three tabs daily
Prednisone 35mg daily
Align Probiotic
Soon to start Remicaid

written by Jeannie

submitted in the colitis venting area