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Colitis


Thu, March 18, 2010 9:25 AM

 

Hello everyone! I posted this in the "Newly Diagnosed" forum and havent gotten a response, so I thought I would try here. I was diagnosed in the ER about a month ago with Colitis. I have been suffering with severe diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, blood and mucus in stools and some cramping for about 9 months now. The weird thing is that the Dr. made it sound like it wasn't a big deal when he told me what it was.. I have looked up information on the disease and there seems to be no cure for it.. I was wondering if muscle aches also accompany this?? I experience muscle pain and nausea occasionally.. I have not seen a GI yet but will be on the 25th.. Any ideas if this could be Crohn's?

 

Thanks!

FPO roseannette
Joined Mar 17, 2010

Sun, March 21, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for RoseAnnette.

The only tests they have done so far (because I havent seen a GI yet) are a couple Cat Scans, Ultrasound (where they found my liver was inflamed), and a stool sample. I am not sure what the Dr. ran them for but he said everything was ok.. Other then my white blood cells are always slightly elevated when I go to the ER. For the past couple days I have gone from Diarrhea to Nausea to Constipation.. It's so tiring. I have also noticed that my joints/muscles ache at times.. Is this normal?  I can't wait for my 1st GI appt on Thurs.. I NEED o figure out what has been going on with my body. I wonder why the ER dr. didnt make it seem like Colitis was such a big deal. He said it briefly before leaving the room and looked like it was nothing to worry about..Does what I sound more like Crohn's or UC?

FPO roseannette
Joined Mar 17, 2010

Sat, March 20, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for RoseAnnette.

My daughter was diagnosed with UC 3 years ago at 16.  The first thing her pediatric GI doc did was did a stool sample to rule out C-Diff.  He actually did 3 stool samples.  He also ran blood tests.  The next step was a endoscopy and colonoscopy.  At that point they take samples and then determine if it's CD or UC.  My daughter also had a promethus (sp?) blood test which is an expensive blood test that can determine CD or UC.  My daughter has been on many meds over the years:  Asacol, Pred, Colozal, Rowasa, Canasa, Cortifoam, Imuran and is currently on Lialda and Azathioprine.  She also has been to many docs and is currently seeing an IBD specialist.  She is doing great.  She had a flare up 18 months after her first diagnosis but has been in remission for 17 months.  She has kept a food diary, she watches her diet (no junk foods, no greasy or fried foods, no processed foods, no raw foods, limits her dairy, no sugars, no sodas, no coffee).  She takes one Women's One a Day vitamin and one Oscal vitamin also one probiotic called Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 Billion.  Her current doc said lots of UC patients have "bacteria overgrowth" and you have to watch sugar intake. 

FPO ez
Joined Nov 9, 2008

Fri, March 19, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for aliciam.

Thank you so much for your response.. I just didnt know if my symptoms sounded like it could be Crohn's. I guess since UC and Crohn's are so similar I wont tell until the tests are ran. I will keep an update on how I am doing and what the Dr. says. I am so greatful I found this website

FPO roseannette
Joined Mar 17, 2010

Fri, March 19, 2010 12:00 AM

 Reply posted for aliciam.

The symptoms you are having sound like they could definitely be UC.  I agree that you should see a GI doc and I would do it sooner rather than later.  Getting the right meds can take time so you want to start the process as soon as you can.

FPO scubagirl3
Joined Jan 21, 2010

Thu, March 18, 2010 4:07 PM

 Reply posted for RoseAnnette.

Hi. Hopefully seeing your GI will shed some greater light on this for you. Have you had a colonoscopy done yet ? This is the diagnostic tool. I was diagnosed with UC almost 2 years ago. They did the colonoscopy, took some biopsies, ran some tests, and were able to determine UC over Crohn's.

Yes, it is a lifelong, chronic disease, however, its manageable, and doesn't have to control your life. Once you see your GI, you will come up with a plan .. and hopefully the meds will help calms things down for you. Unfortunately, muscle aches and arthritis do accompany this disease. I have been through periods where it really acts up, and then months go by with nothing.

I know its scary and frustrating .... please just be patient, develop a good relationship with your GI, and take care of yourself.

Good luck, and pls. keep us posted on how you are doing.

Alicia

FPO aliciam
Joined Apr 21, 2009

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