colitis diagnosis

LivvyLinde

This weekend, I went to the ER after I collapsed in a 105 degree fever with excruciating abdominal pain that suddenly flared up at 1 am after a normal day.

I was diagnosed with colitis. But the doctor I followed up with said he can't help me until I get a colonoscopy- which he was available to do 2 months from now, at the soonest.

I've gotten some info online (including theories on diets with low-fiber, high-fiber, low residue, etc.), but I'm mostly clueless as to how to deal with the uncomfortable gurgly-ness and the "urgent" need for bathroom trips immediately after eating.

Do you have any help/encouragement/tips/sources that really helped you adapt to living with colitis?

topaz1311

hi,

have a look at this website: its the national association for crohns and colitis
www.nacc.org.uk

chuckles217

If you have colitis, you should get in much much sooner. Look around for another gastroenterologist and get in asap.

_HeathBar_

If you have colitis, you should get in much much sooner. Look around for another gastroenterologist and get in asap.

This ^^^

12skipafew99100

oh boy, sorry to hear you have been ill. Best wishes

PatasDeGallina

I had it a few months ago. I'm so sorry. I know it's VERY painful. Take painkillers. Make sure that you go to see someone, a GP or someone, who will give you something stronger than OTC stuff.

Then take laxatives and stool softeners. It hurts when stuff is moving through the inflamed parts, so you want that movement to be as easy as possible.

See if you can't get a second opinion and be put on some medication, depending on the cause. I took antibiotics, but maybe steroids will help with the inflammation.

But definitely don't sit around and wait for 2 months. That's a load of crap. Go see someone else.

And drink a lot of water.

lambertj

I actually went through something similar and they can't do the colonoscopy until your colon heals a bit as they don't want bleeding to affect the test results. I found that apple sauce helped to calm my belly and anything corn based, peppermint tea is great and very soothing for the intestinal track as are peppermint mints. I also started doing a tsp of Citrecel every morning. Hope you feel better soon

Pkiddy

My son has had ulcerative colitis since his 22nd birthday. he's 29 now and has it under control. it comes down to eating/not eating certain foods and sometimes medications when it flares. go to this site http://www.ccfa.org/ for information, it's the chron's and colitis foundation. If you have been diagnosed with colitis and your current GI cannot/will not see you w/in the next 2 weeks, go elsewhere! the foundations site has a list of dr's. Call any GI and let them know your situation, they will get you in - if for nothing else at least to help you ease the symptoms until you heal enough for a colonoscopy. Take Charge!

As for how to deal with the grumblies and the urge to go immediately after eating - know where every restroom is whereever you are, and DO NOT be afraid to cut in line. you can actually get some biz size cards from CCFA.org you can hand to the person in the front of the line when you cut that explains you have a medical condition and need to cut in line. Track everything you eat, track how it reacts. Stay away from high roughage (lettuce, celery, etc.) and acidic (tomatoes, citris foods) and spicy - at least until you have seen the results of your colonoscopy. Let me know how you do!!!

LivvyLinde

thanks! a doctor recommended a very limited diet- bananas, broth, and oatmeal- for a few weeks to get my system back in order. we'll see how it goes.

Stacyanne324

I have ulcerative colitis and was diagnosed when I was 19 after a nasty flare. I was in excrutiating pain, lost a lot of blood, and so much weight (I was down to 107 pounds on my almost 6 foot frame because I couldn't eat...it just hurt too badly). Finally they did the colonoscopy and diagnosed me. Once I got on the medication it cleared up in days and I was fine. Since then I have had to go on the meds a few times and I have to avoid taking too much ibuprofin because it can cause flare ups for me but I know the symptoms and get help right away when they happen so I haven't had anything as devastating as my first attack. For the most part I've been in remission. I go every 1-2 years now for a colonoscopy because the instance of cancer rises after 10 years with the disease and my doctor last year put me on a daily maintenance drug (which I had never taken for all my years with this). The pill is called Lialda and I take it twice a day. It is supposed to keep inflamation down which is thought to reduce the cancer risk so that is why I am taking it. Before I went on it I often would wind up with urgent bathroom visits and other stomach issues but since starting it I've noticed a 100% difference and wish I had been on it from the start.

I am sorry you are dealing with this. I know how much it sucks. If I were you I'd demand a faster colonoscopy or go see a different doctor. The sooner they can take a look the sooner you can get medication and heal. And after that I'd ask about Lialda. Best of luck and big, big hugs to you!

Nerple

Try Crohnsforum.com, they have a decent sized colitis community as well.

I'm now strictly on a low-reside diet thanks to Crohn's. I use the guidelines for that here: http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/low-residue-diet-foods

The diet has actually been extremely helpful for me.

applebobbrush

So sorry to hear this it's a hard one to cope with. I have ulcerative colitis. It is a hard one to get under control and it has no reason why you have flare ups. My GI has told me every person is different for what foods affect them. It is a disease associated with an over active immune system though and not food based. Your immune system senses food items (not always the same food items) are harmful instead of normal and it causes inflammation which in turns sets off the lovely symptoms of urgency, going 20-30 times a day, or the complete opposite of constipation for literally weeks on end.
I second the several other people as you need to call a different GI doc and demand to be seen sooner! One of the only ways to get the symptoms under control is meds and taking those meds on a daily basis even when you feel great, take your meds.

Feel free to add me as a friend, I can tell you what has helped me and what affects me, like I said though going through an elimination diet after you get some normalcy back into your routine is the best way to find out what affects you. Another great website is http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38 this is called healing well.com forum and chat rooms. You can talk to other suffers and find out what is considered "normal" in the colitis realm and just get general support.