ulcerative colitis pls help
Posted , 9 users are following.
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis yesterday. I tried looking online for help and advice and one thing that came up was about foods to avoid. Most things on the list were saying avoid due to getting diarrhoea I don't get diarrhoea. I was told I was in full flare up during the colonoscopy but I didn't feel my symptoms were as bad as they have been in passed. I thought I might of been in remission 🙈
My stools have changed and are much looser now but that's cos I am on tablets for IBS and they are the only thing that makes me poop. I stopped taking them yesterday and low and behold I haven't pooped today. I just don't know wot to do. I want to help myself and avoid wot could make my UC worse but the foods to avoid don't get me diarrhoea. Any help or advice would be appropriated.
1 like, 22 replies
ruari1 Emagine
Posted
My advice to you is to keep a food diary. Write down what upsets you and what doesn't, everyone is different! Best to avoid highly spiced foods and stringy veg and fruit! It's really all about trial and error! Drink plenty water too!
Emagine ruari1
Posted
Thank u. I'm just so scared to eat cos I feel like I'm killing
My insides now.
It's hit me quite hard and I just want to not make anything worse. I'm not sure if maybe i still have IBS or not and if that's the case the foods I need to avoid are the foods being encouraged. Trying to keep positive but good idea about food Diary. Thank u. X
JonWHut Emagine
Posted
I may be wrong but I dont think food will have any impact on the UC its self, but may make the symptons worse.
I personally have kept of the foods above but in the end the UC still got me unfortunately. On the positive for me I no longer have it as I chose to have my entire large bowel out to get rid instead of living on medication which frankly wasnt working for me!
Good luck and best wishes...be careful what you all read in google though...
Emagine JonWHut
Posted
Google can b scary so trying to just read from Lidget sites only.
Sbgoodguy Emagine
Posted
Hi
It is a tricky one as everyone is different so it is a matter of tr8ialling and testing. Some people find gluten or dairy free can ease symptoms, I do not.
I tend to avoid very spicy foods these days. But I would suggest keeping a food diary turning certain foods on and off to see how you respond.
I am in my worst flare up for years right now and cannot seem to shift it no matter what I take
michelle34409 Emagine
Posted
Can i askills what your symptoms are ? I was diagnosed in November last year but like you I don't get diahrreah. I am still waiting for a follow up appointment and have only had Google few advice .
Emagine michelle34409
Posted
Hi Michelle. I had rectal bleeding mostly. I would go to toilet just
For a wee and the other end would happen but just blood no stool. I haven't had any weight loss either which Is also a symptom too. I have also had
headaches and irritated eyes, bloating, a lot of inside movement but not really painful cramps.
Just movement and noise.
Sbgoodguy michelle34409
Posted
Mine are similar to Emagine, the worst bit being out of control of the need to go. Prednisone often helps reduce that but I have had Sertraline for anxiety which also caused the colitis. The Sertraline I believe is not helping my stomach but I cannot be sure. It is a difficult cycle of self-diagnosis.
At one point I was in so much pain from going to the toilet I got a fissure and needed a Botox injection to relieve the pain. Worst pain ever.
I am down to 5mg on the Pred this week and will not go back onto it as the withdrawal symptoms have been heinous this time round.
I get periods of bloating and bloody stools. Then more of a yellow mucus. Sometimes I go normally and it is a big relIced but it does not seem to want to repair permanently. Back for a follow up at the gastroenterologist tomorrow 🙄
michelle34409 Emagine
Posted
sheikhsalma Emagine
Posted
Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed about 10 days ago after spending 5 days in hospital with IV steroids... I had rectal bleeding, painful abdo cramps and inflammation in my ankles where I couldn't even walk (otherwise known as enterpathic arthritis caused by the flare up in my gut).
It's quite overwhelming knowing I have this disease for the rest of my life but I'm trying to bring my head around it.
I can't eat spicy food, oily or heavy meals, it makes my tummy pains worse. I'm home now, diarrhoea has stopped but when I do go loo the motion is loose-ish. Currently on a reducing dose of pregnisolone and down to 35mg daily and it's horrible, makes me want to eat all the time and I get headaches.
I have my first appointment tomorrow with the nurse specialist so hope that goes well.
I will let you guys know how I get on.
S
Emagine sheikhsalma
Posted
Maybe we have a similar type of UC Michelle.
After my Colonoscopy yesterday the lady referred me via put patients rather then GP so I can get seen quicker,
Not sure if that means it's quite ageessive or if she was just being helpful.
Sbgoodguy thanks for info on what u are taking, I really hope I don't need a high dose of anything. sheikhsalma mentioned 35g!! Do u start small and then they increase it if not improvement? Thanks guys
Sbgoodguy Emagine
Posted
Emagine Sbgoodguy
Posted
Have u had it long? My biggest fear is having my colon removed.
I want to live a healthy happy life and I just want this under control so I can live my life but live my life with it and understand it better hopefully under control. Not feeling great wth food, I feel my head is just confused and food is causing a bigger problem.
Certain sites are saying one thing and other sites saying another so I know it wil b trail and error but I'd rather avoid any error 😔
Sbgoodguy Emagine
Posted
I've had it for 15 years. Stress is the biggest contributor. Worrying triggers it an makes it worse. You sound like a worrier, do some meditation or CBT to help you with the mind power. That is more critical than diet IMO. Mine only flares up at times of stress. Colon removal is unusual and only done as a last resort.
Emagine Sbgoodguy
Posted
Your absoultely right 🙈 And ur right I need to de stress cos that won't b helping. Thank u.
JonWHut Emagine
Posted
Firstly dont worry about having your colon removed! Trust me from experience... Diagnosed in 2010, 6 days later 5 hrs emergency op to remove my colon with a temp ileostomy. Had that reversed in late 2011. All good for a few years then the symptoms started to return in my rectal stump as proctitis! Hellish painful and on high levels of steriods 35mg for about 6 months as each time I tapered off the symptoms returned. I pushed for a perm ilestomy. Op in March 2016...
Now heres the good bit! since then - completley medicine free! not one pill of potion! Yes i have a perm ileostomy, with everything remove (rectal stump, anus etc - no need for them now anyway
), but very few people know I have it, it doesnt impact on my life. I'm free to do what i want, I run (lots!! 30+ miles a week) which I couldnt do before. No energy, needed to be close to toilets etc. I swim and get out and abouut with the kids - again something I couldnt do before!
I understand where the fear comes from but its not as bad as you think. Specialist clothing and underwear companies exsist, google vanilla blush for example, much available on the NHS in the UK. Also theres a group on FB called Ostomy Lifestyle Athletes full of people who can now live life to the fullest without the condition affecting them including a GB Tri-athlete!