Daisyk

Hi Quincy,

Thanks for responding.

My UC is in the rectum and just into the sigmoid. My symptoms began in earnest in the summer and were finally diagnosed by colonoscopy in January. (By the time I had gone to my GP, the flare was in remission, so I didn't push to get in sooner with the GI.) Following my colonoscopy, I was still in remission, so I didn't need to take anything until now. Fortunately, my GI forwarded his prescription instructions to my GP, so that I wouldn't have to wait if/when the UC again became active. The Salofalk seems to be working, as I haven't seen any blood for a couple of days (a definite relief.)

I have a great deal of respect for both doctors for not ignoring my symptoms despite being inactive at the time of my appointments. Part of this may be due to my family history (a parent and a sibling with Crohn's,) but for whatever reason, I am relieved to have a diagnosis so quickly, when many people have to wait so long to be taken seriously by their own physicians. My family doctor has told me that there's no reason to be a hero and that I am to let him know immediately if the UC worsens so that he can force an early appointment with the GI. (He once got my husband in to see a neurosurgeon one day after suffering a sudden and extreme headache, so I believe him when he tells me that he can do the same for me.)

Luckily, I'm not suffering too much pain -- and I know how extreme the pain can be after my father's own 30+ years with Crohn's. Any suggestions you have for me, Quincy, would be much appreciated. I don't discuss this condition much with my family as I live out of town, and they worry too much anyway....

Thanks again,

daisyk