Hi! I was seeking information for my mom who is 74 and was just diagnosed with UC. What a horrible thing for an older person to go through. She was initially put on Asacal, and steroids. Of course, the roids caused her to catch colds, etc. and are not a long term viable option. Is there any viable treatments out there? I have heard of a drub called Remicade but the info is questionable on side effects. Just wondering if anyone has some thoughts. Thanks
Kathy:)

Hi Kathy,
I am sorry to hear that your mom was dx'd with UC. Its tough at any age. How extensive is your mom's UC - is it all the way around? What about the Asacol, was it not strong enough? There is a new med on the market I just read about. I will look it up and get back w/you. It has been used in EU and finally was approved for use in the US. I hope your mom finds relief with her sx, You are very supportive of your mom, which is good. I know of someone who is on Remacide and she seems to be doing OK. I guess this is something you will have to talk about with her GI doc. There all also dietary options to follow. I hope all goes well.
God bless-
Kay :wave:

Kay:
Thanks for the uplifting message. She is currently back on prednisone. I had heard about Remicade but the doc says absoltuley not. Apparently it has really bad side effects, can increase cancer likelihood and something about TB. I bought her some probiotics. Any diet tips would be most appreciated. Thanks again.
Kathy:)

Hi Kathy,

I've been taking Remicade for two months now without any problems, but my dr. intends to take me off it after the third infusion. One thing I've noticed is that if I don't control what I eat, I will still have symptoms...but not as severe as before.

ps.
bad foods for me are sweets (cakes, sodas, candy, milk..)

Good luck,

KF

Hi everybody
I have been with uc for 14 months now without a break and waiting for remission but nothing , the last year has been hell, i've been on Asocol, colizide and many others. 3 courses of steroids and nothing. The consultant keeps on about an operation and that is the only cure removing all of the large bowel and colon but no guarrantee of a reversal from a bag.Three weeks ago i was offerered a week stay in hospital and cortizone injections 4 times a day plus cortizone enemas twice a day, I am now out and on another course of steroids but after two days in hospital my problem ceased, no blood, muchas or diarrea. It is so nice not to be going to the loo 15 to 20 times a day and if it means every 6 months a stay in hospital i'll take it.:cool:

Hi everybody
I have been with uc for 14 months now without a break and waiting for remission but nothing , the last year has been hell, i've been on Asocol, colizide and many others. 3 courses of steroids and nothing. The consultant keeps on about an operation and that is the only cure removing all of the large bowel and colon but no guarrantee of a reversal from a bag.Three weeks ago i was offerered a week stay in hospital and cortizone injections 4 times a day plus cortizone enemas twice a day, I am now out and on another course of steroids but after two days in hospital my problem ceased, no blood, muchas or diarrea. It is so nice not to be going to the loo 15 to 20 times a day and if it means every 6 months a stay in hospital i'll take it.:cool:

Chris,

I believe you can get uc under control through diet. I've managed it and many others...why not try eliminating certain foods from your diet like all sugars, breads, milk and cheeses? That means no cookies, biscuits, bread, sodas or even foods that contain yeast extract. By following this bland type of diet, myself and many others are now med free.

I was like you, going 15 to 20 times a day before going on Remicade, which helped a little, but it was the diet that got me back to normal. I go 2 to 3 times a day and my energy levels are almost normal...if you decide to follow a diet like this one, read the ingredients on everything it's amazing how many products contain sugar and it doesn't take much to make you experience symptoms again. For most of us, sugar is the worst offender because it creates the worst symptoms quickly...you might also want to reduce your starch intake a little as well.

There's more I can say, but I've written a small book already,

Take care,

KF

Hi Kingfootie
Thanks for the reply i must say that i've been out of hospital nearly 3 months and absolutely fine only go once a day and ii'm off Predisone 4 weeks ago and i take Sulfasalazine 500 mg tablets twice a day and i feel rejuvenated also i eat whatever i want. i think this illnes is not a one cure suits all but once you find something to suit you go with it. Best of luck to you and all Healthboard members Chris.

Anyone else get joint pain with their UC and if so can you describe it ie is it sharp jabs, does it move around, etc.

hi cris
sorry to hear you had a spell in hospital it's really scary but once youre in ther youre in ther hands, the fright seems to go away because you no that they no what there doing, still its horrible thought but why cant they just work on finding something we could do at home instead for ourselves. by the way my name is janet and i have suffered with colitus for about thirtyfive years since i was 14 years old, i have tried asocol, salazapyrine, lopperimide,omeprazole, retention enemas, suppositries, prednisolone, and nothing seems to work the diet hasent worked either, i rely on lopperimide to stop me from going to the loo,if i dont take them for one day i get a pain in my stomache and back of my bottom, its a very horrible pain and i start taking my lopperimide again and after a day or two i get back to normal but after a few days i start getting constipated again so its a vishers circle is your colitus like this i would love to here it or any ideas would be good. janet from canvey island essex england

Hi,

I was reading the IBS board and found a thread worth reading.

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) can be greatly helped with a probiotic supplement.
The thread is at the top of the IBS board --titled--- "95% Improved with VLS3"

I think all people that have UC should read it. It just may change your life.

God Bless---Harry