Newbie with some questions!

[denny]

Hi Everyone

I was diagnosed with UC in 2006 after a very bad flare up. I was put on Pentasa and was told if i didn't have another flare up I could come off the medication after 2 years - which I did.

Unfortunately for the past couple of months or so I'm getting my UC symptoms back - but slightly different this time - pencil stools, urgency to go to the toilet, tender stomach and it seems to be worse in the morning.

I was also diagnosed with iron deficiency Anaemia a week ago and was put on Ferro tablets. I have read tho, that they shouldn't be used for people with bowel disorders? Also with a flare up I am trying to avoid red meat but I still need to keep my iron levels up. Any diet suggestions would really be appreciated! Im at a loss as to what I should be eating and not eating at the moment.

I have an appointment with a specialist next week to see what is going on ::depressed:

 

[imisspopcorn]

:welcome: Denny.....I think they say that about iron only because it can cause stomach upset. Almost all people with IBD need some sort of supplements to counter the lack of absorption caused by disease.....take your iron with a source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps with absorption of the iron. I usually chew a Vit.C tablet when I take iron.....You can Google 'foods high with iron' and get some nice info on the web. Check out the diet and nutrtion threads here. That should help as well......Good luck.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi there welcome!! Imp has great infomation... to add I am not a big meat eater either, but I am on B12 shots monthly because I was low and you lose your energy and tirdness if you arent sufficient of B12. I am not anemic, but if you are a tea lover (not sure it is in NZ tho) is Tetley herbal tea, called "Inspire" summerberry with rosehip, it has iron naturally occuring. Hope you can get it. Iron pills are very hard on the stomach. IF you are flaring alot drink Ensure to keep up your vitamin levels and calories. Hope this helps, feel better soon!

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

There are three kinds of iron supplements commonly available.

Ferrous Sulfate, Ferrous Gluconate and Ferrous Fumarate.

Sulfate can cause the most stomach upset -- Gluconate, though milder in strength, is tolerated better by many people.

The benefits of iron supplements for anemia outweigh the side effects, IMO.

Good luck with your appointment.

 

[shazamataz]

Hi there, being a fellow Kiwi I can say that I was prescribed the Healtheries Iron + vitamin C which is way more gentle that thge other stuff. I have no issues with it.

Welcome aboard. It's great to have another NZer here

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Hi Denny - welcome to the forum.
I am suprised that your doc told you to discontinue meds. It seems that we usually need some type of maintenance drug. (Just my opinion of course)
Slow FE is a brand of iron that is very easy on my tummy. It is quite expensive though. Not sure if they have it where you are, but you could google it and see what the ingredients and mgs are.

 

[shazamataz]

Hi Gain Denny. I meant to ask where abouts in NZ are you?

 

[CodeBlue2012]

Crohn's?

I am a 16 year old female who has been having some symptoms since I was about 13. My symptoms include: Heartburn, indigestion (usually pretty bad), frequent constipation, hard/mucous covered stools, some minor bleeding on occasion, diarrhea, but very seldom, nausea when eating certain foods, and joint pain (this is also related to my TMJ disorder.) Also, I have periods of time where I can eat almost anything, and others where I can eat hardly anything and have to eat foods like Jell-O, yogurt, and etc. I have been getting tests done for a year, now. I recently got a CT scan, revealing that my organs, and etc look perfect, except for my small intestines. They saw some thickening, and I have a jejunal loop, also. My father is kind of a mystery case, with Crohn's and Celiac disease, and he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Anaplastic large cell lymphoma on January 5th of this year... so, he's had his share of problems as well, which makes me worry, that I might also have crohn's. I have a Gastroenterologist appt on March 30.. I was wondering what you think about my symptoms and etc.

Thank You,
Emily

 

[gibby]

welcome Denny and Emily, nice to have you here in the forum...


Denny it seems like you are beginning to flare again, but maybe just on the cusp of a flare so it is good you are seeing a specialist soon. and i am too surprised they took you off your meds quickly but if the pentasa controlled you for two years then i suppose thats why....but why take you off if it was working? well i hope you get sorted soon, as for the anaemia, i get B12 injections because i cant actually absorb much oral vitamins, have quite alot of scarring in my large bowel so iron is useless with me. i suppose its just eating alot of green veg, as much as your condition allows because everyone is different to what they can and cant tolerate....i love broccoli and spinach, and causes me little problems, but some people do get pain etc with it...its about playing around and seeing whats good for you....

Emily, that sounds like you have some sort of inflammatory bowel process going on there, and i hope you get somewhere when you see your gastro too...are you on any drugs at the moment or are they waiting for the gasrto appt? keep us updated and hope you get some answers.

Gib x

 

[CodeBlue2012]

Welcome Emily!

You and your dad have been having a rough time!! Are you going to see the same Gastro Doc that is treating your Dad? Maybe that is a good idea.......

Your scans do indicate some sort of inflammation! Are in a lot of pain at present??

Good luck and Keep us posted! xx

Thanks, Erazer. I would have really liked to see my dad's gastro doc, but, since I am 16, they had to send me to a pediatric one...which I thought wasn't such a great idea, plus, I have to take off a lot of school because it's about a 1 1/2-2 hour drive just to get there.
My stomach was doing better as far as pain goes, however, the bad constipation and heartburn/indigestion have been happening a lot, and yesterday, my stomach started it's so-called "fit", where I can't really eat too much today, or I feel horrible. =[

 

[CodeBlue2012]

welcome Denny and Emily, nice to have you here in the forum...


Denny it seems like you are beginning to flare again, but maybe just on the cusp of a flare so it is good you are seeing a specialist soon. and i am too surprised they took you off your meds quickly but if the pentasa controlled you for two years then i suppose thats why....but why take you off if it was working? well i hope you get sorted soon, as for the anaemia, i get B12 injections because i cant actually absorb much oral vitamins, have quite alot of scarring in my large bowel so iron is useless with me. i suppose its just eating alot of green veg, as much as your condition allows because everyone is different to what they can and cant tolerate....i love broccoli and spinach, and causes me little problems, but some people do get pain etc with it...its about playing around and seeing whats good for you....

Emily, that sounds like you have some sort of inflammatory bowel process going on there, and i hope you get somewhere when you see your gastro too...are you on any drugs at the moment or are they waiting for the gasrto appt? keep us updated and hope you get some answers.

Gib x

Hi, Gib. thanks for the reply. I am not on any medication currently. They are waiting on me to go through my appointments, and I guess make a definite diagnosis. Thanks.

 

[CodeBlue2012]

Hey Blue!

Cute name!

I am a bit concerened about your symptoms, and think you need fast treatment........

Is there some way your dad's doc could see u as a favour to your dad??

He will understand better what is going on with you, because your dad has IBD too.

it is worth the drive and some days off school! believe me....

hugs!!

Thanks! (did you mean, cute real name or cute username?) haha, sorry... :-S. My family doctor is also my dad's doctor, and she wanted me sooner treatment, but, being the best hospital in Pennsylvania, it'll take me a while to get an appointment, that's why it's march 30. =[ They won't let me see a regular gastro doc, which kind of worries me, because I'm not sure what I should be doing right now so the thickening doesn't "speed up" so to speak... I don't want to be eating things that I definitely shouldn't...

 

[gibby]

Its not really about avoiding foods that you shouldnt eat....its different for everyone, and alot of different people have different foods that work or do not work for them. it is important to realise that food doesnt cause flare ups, it just can make things alot more mobile or painful when you do. i can eat more or less anything i like, but when i am even a bit flare-y i avoid cheese like the plague, it cramps me up real bad and goes right thru me, but when i am well, i am perfect with it.


its about noting what works for you and maybe making a food diary if you begin to see patterns with different foods.

the most important thing is getting enough nutrition into you, cos we all know how fast we can waste away when we are sick, and end up on nasty build up drinks. eat well, eat regulary and don t push yourself. if all you can feel you eat is jello and yoghurt, then eat it....as long as you get something into you!

hope that helps a bit....and hope you get answers quickly...

 

[CodeBlue2012]

Its not really about avoiding foods that you shouldnt eat....its different for everyone, and alot of different people have different foods that work or do not work for them. it is important to realise that food doesnt cause flare ups, it just can make things alot more mobile or painful when you do. i can eat more or less anything i like, but when i am even a bit flare-y i avoid cheese like the plague, it cramps me up real bad and goes right thru me, but when i am well, i am perfect with it.


its about noting what works for you and maybe making a food diary if you begin to see patterns with different foods.

the most important thing is getting enough nutrition into you, cos we all know how fast we can waste away when we are sick, and end up on nasty build up drinks. eat well, eat regulary and don t push yourself. if all you can feel you eat is jello and yoghurt, then eat it....as long as you get something into you!

hope that helps a bit....and hope you get answers quickly...

Yeah, I'm currently making a diet plan, which seems to be helping. Jell-O and yogurt.....two things I live on when I'm feeling real sick. I don't eat hardly at all when I feel sick...hard to find things that don't bother me, because even a bit of water burns when it goes down. =/

 

[CodeBlue2012]

Yeah, I'm currently making a diet plan, which seems to be helping. Jell-O and yogurt.....two things I live on when I'm feeling real sick. I don't eat hardly at all when I feel sick...hard to find things that don't bother me, because even a bit of water burns when it goes down. =/

I also have been keeping a food/symptom diary for three months, so I can show my doctor when I go.

 

[CodeBlue2012]

Both your names are cute and clever!:ycool:

well something needs to be done about your treatment before March 30! Surley your family doc can give u some IBD controlling medication! should help in the meanwhile!!
You should not suffer anymore!!!

Thanks! The code blue came from one of my favorite shows on Discovery health...Code blue. I'm all for those trauma shows, because that's what I plan to do after high school (trauma surgeon.) =]

I wish something could be done, sooner.... they told me my CT scan results....and...that was it, now I have to wait.