Recovering from Colitis: Prayers Needed After Urgent Care Visit and Ct Scan

[cewcooks]

Please pray for me, I have not had anything solid to eat since Last Sat Night, After spending 6+ hours in urgent care and getting a Ct scan I now have colitis(not sure of the spelling) but if anyone who has ever had it or know someone who has had it how long until you were better!
Thanks

 

[janetupnorth]

Inflamed colon - healing depends on the severity and your body and diet.Take your meds, change your diet and hopefully it will heal without surgery. Good luck - get better!

 

[janetupnorth]

Oh colitis is a chronic condition - you have to control it not cure it.Reduce milk intake, spicy foods, caffeine and I think reduction in carbs can help too. Ask your doctor and they can have a nutritionist talk to you. See what causes flare-ups and AVOID!

 

[merego]

my sister has it ( don't talk to her, that is a whole other thread!!), don't know much about it. My mom said she has to drink metamucil ( sp) everyday and watch what she eats or it acts up.
Sorry you have to go through that, good luck

 

[chefmeg]

Please pray for me, I have not had anything solid to eat since Last Sat Night, After spending 6+ hours in urgent care and getting a Ct scan I now have colitis(not sure of the spelling) but if anyone who has ever had it or know someone who has had it how long until you were better!
Thanks

WOW! I was diagnosed with IBS 7 years ago and I am almost positive that it is the label we get when they can't find a positive colitis diagnosis. It has been a loooooong road, with roadblocks daily, but find THE BEST GI doc in your area (where in VA are you?) and talk to them about your diagnosis. Don't just take the word of one doc on this.................

pm me if you want to chat more about location and doctors!

 

[DessertDivaFL]

My soon-to-be mother-in-law has it. She cannot be away from a bathroom for long periods of time. She suffers from it constantly. I think if you catch it early it isn't so bad and can be controlled by diet to a point. I think you still have good and bad days though. Can anyone agree with that?

Cewcooks, just listen to the other posts, it is all about the food you eat.

 

[cdnsue]

I've had it for many years and have had a few hospital runs, but now have learned to control it to a certain degree.

Everyone's level and trigger sources are different though so the trick is finding out what yours are. And the most important, I find is to take the bad times in stride and not to let it get to you.

How long to feel better from a flareup is completely dependant on how severe it is. Listen to the doctor and when you can eat, make sure you stick to a colon-friendly diet.

Feel better soon!

 

[Kitchen Diva]

I hvae a niece and nephew with it, both are teens. They control it with diet and medicine. I will be seeing one of them this weekend for a graduation open house, I'll ask my sister-in-law more about it if I get a chance. If my other sil is there, I'll ask her about my nephew as well...

 

[Flamingo]

I have Crohnes which is very similar. diet is the key.... I am trying to do a diet for ciliac disease. Seems to help. make sure you know where all the good bathrooms are...Really, not kidding...

 

[chefmeg]

I have Crohnes which is very similar. diet is the key.... I am trying to do a diet for ciliac disease. Seems to help. make sure you know where all the good bathrooms are...Really, not kidding...

Amen to this!

I seem to have the worst problem after I eat breakfast (no matter what I eat) and then anytime I eat out. I have to be very careful about lettuce in resteraunts~that tends to set things off. I eat smaller portions now (thanks to Weight Watchers) and that helps. I have heard eating 6 tiny meals a day can help. I guess for all of us witht his type of GI problem is you have to do alot of experimenting with what your triggers are and that is hard to do and live a "normal" life. Just find a good doctor to help you thru this beginning diagnosis.

 

[etteluap70PC]

I did not yet read what everyone wrote. I can tell you I have lived with (ulcerative) Colitis for 27 years. I was diagnosed at age 11. It was very difficult a a pre teen girl to deal with everything. As an adult I have learned to manage very well. I usually let new friends know that I suffer from tummy troubble from time to time so. I like to know where all the best bathrooms are, and that sometimes I need to make frequent stops. If this wierds people out they are not cut out to be my friend. Driving is the worst for me, especially going somewhere new.
My Colitis is one of the reasons at conference I will never again stay in a room with only one bathroom. Even 2 with 4-5 women can be tough.
I agree get a good GE doc. and see a nutrioionist. When you learn your triggers it helps. I never thought I could be as active as I am with my 2 kids.
There are also support groups out there as well.

Good luck... It will get better!

 

[etteluap70PC]

Amen to this!

I seem to have the worst problem after I eat breakfast (no matter what I eat)

Mornings (breakfast) have always been the toughest for me. Figuring out what you can handle and having a routine are key. I used to always have to stop on my drive to work and use a bathroom. I just got used to leaving 20-30 minutes early for everything. Getting stuck in traffic is my biggest nightmare! I also always kept a change of clithes in my car. My mom friends used to make fun of me because I was always 10 minutes early for everything.

 

[chefmeg]

Paulette, I don't know exactly how long I have had this problem, but it got so much worse in college-20+ years ago. I assumed at the time it was stress related (and some of it was, I'm sure), but over the years, it has gotten worse. I agree that people have to be able to handle the frequent stops and sudden urgent "gotta stop now!!!" issues. I have also managed to know my triggers and keep a change of clothes in my car!!!!

 

[cewcooks]

Thanks for all your wonderful advise, I saw my doctor again today because the pain in my belly and abdomen are still not subsiding, she is not sure if it's related to colitis or what, but I still can't eat solid foods. I am on meds for infection and pain so at least I have some relief.

 

[KellyTheChef]

My DH has ulcerative colitis (did I kill that spelling?) and he has had occasional flareups. I think he would do better if he did two things: stayed on his meds (once it's under control he weans himself off the meds...the dr just told him last week that the meds help keep the ulcers "in remission" of some sort so they don't bleed...this is after he just had a HORRIBLE flare up) and CHANGED HIS DIET. Greasy foods, caffiene, chocolate, spicy foods are all supposed to be triggers for most people.

When his gets really bad, he has to use medicine (uh...enema form. not fun.) for about a month, on top of the "everyday" meds (He has been on Asacol for years...they just changed it to Lialda, which is basically the same, but you don't have to take as many pills.) Plus, he gets to go back for another colonoscopy.

Did they diagnose you due to your symptoms, or to a colonoscopy?

Good luck...digestive system problems are NO FUN!

 

[cewcooks]

Kelly
My DH had to have a colonoscopy last year, but at this point they are unsure what is causing my stomach pain since colitis is a general term..

 

[KellyTheChef]

Kelly
My DH had to have a colonoscopy last year, but at this point they are unsure what is causing my stomach pain since colitis is a general term..

Gotcha. I think anytime there is "unknown" stomach pain, that's what they say!

Will they do one soon for you, or are they trying some other routes first?

If you have family history of digestive system problems, I would push for a colonoscopy. No fun doing the "pre-prep" but DH said the actual procedure was a snap...(he was out cold, doesn't remember anything!)

 

[jenne]

I have been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis...and it's not fun...I am also fortunate enough to have a rare liver disease to go with it, so I get to have a colonoscopy EVERY YEAR!!!! I feel so lucky sometimes!!

Anyhow, when they first discovered my severe flare (I had ulcers and inflammation through my ENTIRE colon rather than just part of it) they placed me on prednisone to settle things down until I could get into a specialist. I am thankful that the Mayo Clinic is basically in our backyard (although still 6 hours away) so we chose to go there, and I am so glad that we did. I highly reccommend the colonoscopy so they can see EXACTLY what is going on and see the best GI you can find and afford!

 

[cewcooks]

The doctor called today and said my bloodwork is fine, but they are not sure why I am having stomach pain and seem to run a fever as the day goes on...Thanks for all your advise and encouragement!

 

[chefmeg]

It has been 4 years since I had my "attack"...I was in so much pain, I couldn't stand up straight. My Dad came and got me and took me to the dr...they said I had a low grade fever and a slightly elevated white count, so they diagnosed colitisdue to where the pain was. I was put on a heavy-duty antibiotic for 2 weeks, the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce & tea) diet for about 1 week. Last year when I had my gallbladder attack and subsequently had it removed, I thought maybe that was the cause of all of the issues I have had over the years...but no....still have problems. I had researched colitis and IBS extensively and have tried just about all the crazy ideas out there. The GI doc I went to most recently has done every test known to man & just can't pinpoint what is going on. Seems I am destined to have this problem and learn to live with it without medical help. There is a large online community for support!

 

[cewcooks]

Wow, that is exactly what's going on, my gallbladder and liver are fine I just have fever, incredible stomach pain.