Hi, I have just joined this site after reading some of the other posts I hope that some of you might be able to offer me some advice.

I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ulcerative Colitis) in November last year, I was in a bad way and ended up spending time in Hospital, while they pumped me full of steroids… Since leaving hospital in December and returning home things have improved dramatically. I was prescribed Azathioprine, Omeprazole, and I continued my course of Predisoline (steroids). The dose of steroids was decreased every two weeks, and after 3 months I had finished the course. At this time the Azathioprine had been in my system long enough to take effect, which it did. Until now.

I have been able to lead a totally normal life for the last 4 months, eating, drinking, working, with no ill effects. Last week I caught a cold, had a fever, running nose etc, then a couple of days later I began to have diarrhoea. I just assumed it was something I’d eaten, but unfortunately as time went on it got more frequent and started showing signs of the colitis, cramps, then mucus, and today traces of blood.

I am obviously aware that people with my condition can suffer relapses but I am worried, because I don’t know what the next stage is, will the specialist up my dosage of the Azathioprine? Is it the case that my body has now become immune to this drug and they will have to try an alternative? Is it likely that an alternative will give me similar results?

Everything was going so well, life was back to normal, I have recently taken a new job, now I feel all this could be in jeopardy.

i have it also ,you will have to repeat the course ,steroids are not good to
take for extensive periods, all the drugs you mentioned are required for
maintaining the condition. unfortunately they are not a cure just a bandage
but some people take them and they work good for when uc flares up.surgery
is the last step to fix the problem but its should be used done until your
medicine is no longer effective. if its continues for more than a week or two
you need to get back on the meds,you will make it worse if you let your body
go threw those flares ups everyday,its very draining. get i good gi or colorectal surgeon to advise and monitor you ,its a very painful condition and
i wish you luck.do not suffer and take your meds and you might have to
take it for a longer time.

Thanks for the advice, I think i'll call the Hospital specialist tomorrow morning to see if what she suggests.