Hi Everyone, Firstly I must say I have been looking for a place just like this and have used a couple of other forums but none seem to be anywhere near a busy as here.
I am 25 and stay in Glasgow.
I have recently been diagnosed with Chrons Colitis- Didnt know there was such a thing. Always thought it was Chrons or UC.
First got very bad symptoms when I was about 16 years old. Always running to toilet but as I can remember it never really bothered me. After numerous different medications I stopped taking anything and It cleared up when I turned 19.
About 18 months ago I was set to go for a job interview for a promotion in work. On the day before the interview the symptoms started again, initially I thought it was just a bout of food poisoning but after a week it was still there and was gradually getting worse. I went to the doctor who prescribed me the same things I had tried years before without luck. After about 6 month we took some blood then referred me to the endoscopy dept. The result came back with serious inflammation.
I was prescribed Asacol 800+400mg twice per day. I took them for a few months and noticed no difference whatsoever. I was also taking Immodium at times to get me through days but as anyone in the same position will agree- Short term gain = longer term pain. For the 4 or 5 hours I would feel fine it knocked me off for over a day.
I was getting more and more tired, crabit, losing weight, not sleeping and actually looking very washed out and aged. People always commented that I didnt look great and I had lost too much weight. I was always of average weight with a BMI of around 23-24 but it dropped to around 18-19.
2 weeks ago I received a letter to visit another doctor at the hosptial- which would be the very same Saturday. I was told this was because they would not be able to see me within their agreed 12 week waiting list if they had not started Saturday appointments.
The doctor had a good chat and asked if there had been any changes in anything since the colonoscopy- which their hadnt.
His suggestion was that I immediately started an 8 week course of Steroids and Pentasa sachets. The steroid would originally be 6 per day reduced to 5 after 2 weeks and dropping 1 tablet per day each week. Pentasa is twice daily.
today is the start of week 2 and I have to say- Last week was easily the best week I have had in over 18 months. I feel alert, Symptoms have very much been reduced, I have gained a few lbs, Have a good appetite and no longer have the urgency feeling we all know and fear!
I know that steroids are not a great thing to be taking due to the long term effects and that sometimes people can experience reduced symptoms for a short period of time but without doubt I have more control over what I do in life.
I just pray this is the start of the end. I would quite happily stick where I am right now- It is by no means cleared up but it has been reduced about 80%.
I work a good job for a very large alcohol company and as much as everyone I work with has been great and very understanding- I appreciate that I am not irreplaceable so need to make the most of when I feel like this.
I hope others can identify with my story and maybe tell me how they are getting on with things. I have been very open with anyone I speak to about this and found it generally makes things alot easier and less of an embarrassing thing to hide from.
Gary
I am 25 and stay in Glasgow.
I have recently been diagnosed with Chrons Colitis- Didnt know there was such a thing. Always thought it was Chrons or UC.
First got very bad symptoms when I was about 16 years old. Always running to toilet but as I can remember it never really bothered me. After numerous different medications I stopped taking anything and It cleared up when I turned 19.
About 18 months ago I was set to go for a job interview for a promotion in work. On the day before the interview the symptoms started again, initially I thought it was just a bout of food poisoning but after a week it was still there and was gradually getting worse. I went to the doctor who prescribed me the same things I had tried years before without luck. After about 6 month we took some blood then referred me to the endoscopy dept. The result came back with serious inflammation.
I was prescribed Asacol 800+400mg twice per day. I took them for a few months and noticed no difference whatsoever. I was also taking Immodium at times to get me through days but as anyone in the same position will agree- Short term gain = longer term pain. For the 4 or 5 hours I would feel fine it knocked me off for over a day.
I was getting more and more tired, crabit, losing weight, not sleeping and actually looking very washed out and aged. People always commented that I didnt look great and I had lost too much weight. I was always of average weight with a BMI of around 23-24 but it dropped to around 18-19.
2 weeks ago I received a letter to visit another doctor at the hosptial- which would be the very same Saturday. I was told this was because they would not be able to see me within their agreed 12 week waiting list if they had not started Saturday appointments.
The doctor had a good chat and asked if there had been any changes in anything since the colonoscopy- which their hadnt.
His suggestion was that I immediately started an 8 week course of Steroids and Pentasa sachets. The steroid would originally be 6 per day reduced to 5 after 2 weeks and dropping 1 tablet per day each week. Pentasa is twice daily.
today is the start of week 2 and I have to say- Last week was easily the best week I have had in over 18 months. I feel alert, Symptoms have very much been reduced, I have gained a few lbs, Have a good appetite and no longer have the urgency feeling we all know and fear!
I know that steroids are not a great thing to be taking due to the long term effects and that sometimes people can experience reduced symptoms for a short period of time but without doubt I have more control over what I do in life.
I just pray this is the start of the end. I would quite happily stick where I am right now- It is by no means cleared up but it has been reduced about 80%.
I work a good job for a very large alcohol company and as much as everyone I work with has been great and very understanding- I appreciate that I am not irreplaceable so need to make the most of when I feel like this.
I hope others can identify with my story and maybe tell me how they are getting on with things. I have been very open with anyone I speak to about this and found it generally makes things alot easier and less of an embarrassing thing to hide from.
Gary
