Ulcerative Colitis (Left Sided)

[anonyman]

Hello everyone,
I am new to this forum, I heard about it from another website..

I had Ulcerative Colitis (Left Sided) since I was 16, I am now 29.
Luckily(knock on wood) for me I don't have many flair ups at all.. But since the past 3-4 weeks I had them pretty bad, going diarrhea 7-10 times a day ... To the point where I am ready to cry it hurts so much.

I am on balsalazide, I take 3 pills, 2 times a day.. My GI doctor told me that my UC can turn into cancer but my chances are just slightly worse then a normal person without UC, is that correct? I have been too 2 GI's and both really just seem to rush me out of there office and never really care to get to know me and answer my questions...

I tend to worry a ton and stress my self out a lot.. Who wants to die ? I don't.. I had my last colonoscopy in 11/2011 and everything was fine(knock on wood)..

Thanks in advance for everyone's input.

 

[muppet]

Your cancer risk is higher with UC or Crohn's, but not so much higher that you should live in fear of it.

I'm not familiar with balsalazide, but it sounds like a 5-ASA. It may not be the right one for your particular colitis and you may need to try some different ones if it's not giving you relief. If you're in an active flare, you may need a steroid like prednisone to get back to feeling well before your maintenance drug will really "kick in".

If you're not comfortable with your GI, keep shopping around until you find one you can have a rapport with. This disease is complex and requires diligent management. You can't do that properly with a doctor you don't get on with.

Stress will definitely make things worse for you. If you're having 7-10 bowel movements a day and pain to the point of tears, it is definitely time for a steroid in my opinion. You need to make an appointment ASAP.

 

[Kf1986]

Hi sorry to hear ur having trouble at the min. I would say keep on your gi's back . Ive been having trouble with mine too ive been having a bad flare up an because they havent got any appt's until march ! Ive bee having to put up with bad pain and now my body is that weak dehydrated and infected ive had to come into a and e ( hosp in the uk) off my own back ! It makes u wonder ho the experts are here . Def listen to ur own body and be heard by ur doctors.. Im currentyl on drip antibiotics. Steroid injections and fluids so hopefully i will b better soon. Dnt settle for doctors who think they can fob u off ( as i can tell im a liitle angry with mine ! ) hope u get better soon

 

[theri1]

Sounds like you have active colitis near the rectum, I had the same, intense pain when going to the toilet... Enemas/Suppositories are the best for treating that area but without a Colonoscopy it would be hard for anyone to pinpoint the cause of the problem.


(If it does turn out to be what I said and you have to take Enemas I highly recommend the Liquid/Tablet ones, the foam ones hurt..)

 

[sickinlk]

anonyman,
your risk for cancer is higher but the chances of it progressing is minimal. us folk with IBD are regularly screened as in we have a colonoscopy every 2 yrs on average so if cancer does show it should be caught early. plus bowel cancer is 1 of the slowest growing cancers in the body and the signs like polyps and cell changes are easily recognised.
for me that one benefit of having a chronic condition. at least we are already in the system and being monitored.
lots of people don't know they have bowel cancer till they have symptoms and by then it normally too late.
in regards to your sore bum. theres loads to try.
steroid suppositories, foam or enemas
use wet wipes to wipe.
apply a baby ointment after.
have a nice salt bath to help heal.
plus having a good doctor is important.

keep on asking
ju

 

[FrancisK7]

Looks like you received great advice already.

I hope you feel better soon. Do let us know how you are!