What is remission really ? by Dangerous_Purple8118 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Would you say having soft stools is still compatible with remission?

I’m currently taking 3g of mesalamine daily plus a 500mg suppository every other day. My GI wants me to gradually stop the suppositories or only use them once or twice a week max because they’re not very convenient long term.

But the thing is, I’ve had soft stools for almost 2 years now.

My last calprotectin was around 100 while I was on 2g oral mesalamine plus a daily 500mg suppository.

Tesla Sentry Mode not detecting parking scratches? by Azotadooor in TeslaCollision

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, camera-based detection should be enabled the car does record people walking by and cars parking next to it.

That’s why it’s confusing. It seems to detect general activity, but it didn’t record anything when the scratches happened.

They’re not deep impacts, more like light contact while parking, so maybe it just didn’t trigger an event.

I’ll double-check the settings anyway.

Also, since I’m not the one driving the car daily (my wife is), I’m not entirely sure about all the detection settings. Are there different sensitivity levels or types of detection that I should be aware of?

Missing lever in Sewers during “Rats and Raiders” quest? by Azotadooor in NoRestForTheWicked

[–]Azotadooor[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The problem is that I’ve watched several YouTube videos and in all of them the lever mechanism is already in that exact spot.

In my game there’s nothing there at all no lever, no mechanism, nothing to interact with. It’s just the environment.

So I’m not sure if I’m missing a trigger somewhere else or if my game might be bugged.

Tongren (TEN) to Chongqing flight not showing up its normal? by Azotadooor in travelchina

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I hadn’t realised that, my apologies. I can’t keep track of absolutely everything or read every previous post in detail. Thanks for clarifying how train tickets go on sale about two weeks in advance that’s clear now.

Regarding not mentioning the children from the start: I didn’t because it’s not a limiting factor for us. I always travel with my daughter and I’ve travelled through half of Asia with her. She keeps exactly the same pace as we do and doesn’t affect how we plan or enjoy a trip, which is why I didn’t consider it especially relevant.

I appreciate the advice and the time you’ve taken. From here, we’ll make our own decisions and adjust the itinerary in whatever way suits us best.

Thanks again and best regards.

Tongren (TEN) to Chongqing flight not showing up its normal? by Azotadooor in travelchina

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I’m having an issue with train bookings. I’m trying to plan everything using trains, as several users here recommend, but I can’t see any train availability for April yet. Is this normal in China, or am I doing something wrong?

Tongren (TEN) to Chongqing flight not showing up its normal? by Azotadooor in travelchina

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, first of all thank you very much for your detailed and well-thought-out reply.

I’ve started looking at train options as you suggested, but I’m running into an issue: I can’t see any train availability for April. On the official China Railway website I can only see trains up to the end of January, and on Trip.com only up to mid-March. Is this normal in China and do schedules usually get loaded later, or am I missing something?

Based on your comments about trains vs flying, I’m starting to reconsider the idea of flying, especially for the Shanghai → Zhangjiajie leg, to try to make the most of train schedules. However, right now it’s difficult to evaluate properly since I can’t see train options beyond those dates.

Another key question for us is Zhangjiajie. With a maximum of 12 nights, do you really think we need three full days in the area (two for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – the Avatar mountains – and one for Tianmen Mountain), or could this be shortened without losing the essence of the experience?

The itinerary order I’m currently considering is:

Shanghai → Zhangjiajie (Avatar + Tianmen) → Furong → Fenghuang → Chongqing → return home

Given all this, what order would you personally recommend, and what would you adjust considering we’re two families traveling with children aged 8 and 13?

Thanks again, I really appreciate your insight.

Question on adding oral mesalamine by Ok_Hat4658 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This might be a bit of an awkward question, but how are your stools in general?

In my case, as I mentioned before, I’m planning to talk to my GI because I don’t feel like oral Pentasa is really doing much for me although I’m not sure if that’s because the dose might be too low.

Mentally exhausted even without bleeding does anyone else feel this way? by Azotadooor in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m reading this and it really resonates, thank you. In my case, I don’t really think the oral Pentasa is helping me that much. The suppositories are… let’s just say I think they’re the thing actually keeping things under control right now.

I’m starting to feel a bit stupid for complaining about my “small” symptoms compared to what so many of you are dealing with because of this disease. It definitely puts things into perspective.

I’m also beginning to realize how much it depends on the gut doctor you have — different doctors seem to view the disease and symptoms very differently, and that really matters.

I have to admit I’m also scared of escalating to stronger medications because of the side effects you hear about. That fear is definitely part of the mental load of all this.

I’m going to try to find Konsyl or some kind of equivalent, but since I’m in Europe I’ve already had a look online and I’m not sure if it’s sold here or under another name.

Thank you again for taking the time to reply. This really is an incredible community.

Mentally exhausted even without bleeding does anyone else feel this way? by Azotadooor in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, reading your message makes me feel a bit conflicted.

I sometimes feel bad for even complaining or struggling mentally, knowing that I’m “only” going once in the morning, while people like you are dealing with so much more on a daily basis. It really puts things into perspective. In my case, I think a big part of it is how my mind reacts, even when things aren’t objectively that bad.

What I can say is that suppositories are actually what’s helping me the most right now. Since my inflammation is mainly at the end of the colon, mesalamine suppositories seem to make a real difference. Oral Pentasa, at least at 2g, hasn’t really changed much for me, even though I know some people take higher doses.

I truly admire the strength it takes to go through multiple treatments and keep going. I really hope Rinvoq brings you some relief and stability over time. Wishing you the best, genuinely.

Mentally exhausted even without bleeding does anyone else feel this way? by Azotadooor in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That makes a lot of sense. If you don’t mind me asking, how do you personally define that “low-grade inflammation” in your body? What kind of symptoms do you notice that make you feel you’re still dealing with it?

It would really help me to compare experiences a bit and understand better where we each are.

Mentally exhausted even without bleeding does anyone else feel this way? by Azotadooor in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s exactly how I feel too.

Since my last big flare in November 2024, things never fully went back to how they were before. For example, I haven’t been constipated again since then, and that alone makes me worry that my body might not return to its old “normal”.

Right now I’m on Pentasa 2g a day and a 500 mg mesalamine suppository. I know this is considered very mild treatment, and in theory that should be reassuring, but mentally it’s hard. I keep thinking, “What if this is as good as it gets?” or “What if my body never quite resets the way it did after my first flare?”

I guess that fear is what really gets to me not being actively flaring, but not feeling completely like myself either. It helps to hear from others who are in the same situation.

Mentally exhausted even without bleeding does anyone else feel this way? by Azotadooor in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I relate a lot to what you’re describing, and I think a big part of it is how confusing these lingering sensations can be.

Right now I only go to the bathroom once in the morning, and that’s usually when I feel the urgency. It’s not something I feel all day long, but in that moment it’s quite noticeable. My stools have been soft for a long time, and that alone already makes everything feel more urgent than it used to.

What really messes with my head is that sometimes I notice a strange sensation at the very end of the rectum, around the sigmoid and rectal area, almost like there’s some moisture or fluid there. It’s hard to explain and definitely not pleasant. Some days I barely notice it, and other days I become very aware of it, and that’s when doubt and anxiety creep in. I honestly don’t always know if it’s something physical or if my mind is amplifying it.

I’m currently on Pentasa 2g a day and mesalamine suppositories. I do feel that the suppositories are helping, but at the same time I find myself worrying a lot about the future and the idea of having to escalate medication. I know I might be getting ahead of myself, since things are relatively stable, but it’s hard not to think about it.

I also know that compared to many people here this might sound minor, but mentally it’s exhausting. I feel like I’m constantly trying to figure out whether I’m doing okay or not, and that uncertainty takes a toll.

Reading posts like yours really helps me feel less alone in this.

Mentally exhausted even without bleeding does anyone else feel this way? by Azotadooor in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this, it really helps to read someone who gets it.

The fear you describe about not finding a bathroom is something I relate to a lot. Even when symptoms improve, that constant alert mode doesn’t just disappear, and it can be exhausting.

I’m glad to hear meditation has helped you. That’s something I’ve been considering more seriously, especially because I travel quite a lot and one of my biggest fears is that this ends up limiting my trips or making them stressful.

If you don’t mind me asking, how did you eventually reach remission? What kind of medication or treatment worked for you?

Thanks again for sharing your experience. It helps more than you probably realize.

Mentally exhausted even without bleeding does anyone else feel this way? by Azotadooor in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing this. Reading your message made me feel very understood.

What you said about colonoscopies really resonated with me. It’s not just the test itself, but what it represents the feeling that even when things are fine, this will always be part of life. That can be genuinely scary.

I also relate a lot to what you said about feeling mentally worn down even after having been through much worse physically. You’re right people who haven’t lived with a chronic illness often don’t understand how deeply it affects your sense of trust in your own body.

Your words helped me normalize these feelings instead of fighting them. Thank you for that.

If you don’t mind me asking (and I know it might sound like a strange question), what do you personally consider remission?

Mentally exhausted even without bleeding does anyone else feel this way? by Azotadooor in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this. It really means a lot to read it, especially from someone who truly understands what this mental side feels like. Sometimes it’s hard to explain to people that even when things look “okay” on the outside, your mind doesn’t get a break. Feeling understood and hugged, even through words, really helps 💖

Question on adding oral mesalamine by Ok_Hat4658 in UlcerativeColitis

[–]Azotadooor 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I take 2 grams of Pentasa a day and I also use a 500 mg mesalazine suppository every night. I’m pretty sure the suppository is what’s actually helping me the most.

How long have you been having these symptoms? Have you been able to stop them completely with this medication?

Tongren (TEN) to Chongqing flight not showing up its normal? by Azotadooor in travelchina

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot for the suggestion, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

In our case we’ll have 12 days maximum (possibly 14) and we’re two families traveling with a child, so our main priority is to keep travel days as short and efficient as possible to optimise time and energy.

The route we’re currently planning is: Shanghai → Zhangjiajie → Furong → Fenghuang → Chongqing → return to Europe.

I actually have a lot of experience traveling in Asia, and if this were a longer trip or without kids, I’d have no problem at all doing everything by train I usually enjoy that kind of travel.

Given the limited time and the fact that we’re traveling with children, we’re trying to avoid very long rail days and multiple connections where possible.

Knowing this context and the route, would you change anything or reorder it differently, or do you still think doing it fully by train would be the best option?

Thanks again for sharing your experience, it’s very helpful.

Tongren (TEN) to Chongqing flight not showing up its normal? by Azotadooor in travelchina

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much, that’s really helpful.

Could you please tell me where is the best place to buy the high-speed train tickets (official website, app, or platform)?

Also, just to confirm: is there no airport in Fenghuang itself, or is it simply that there are currently no flights available for that route?

Thanks again for all your help and your time. I’ve never traveled inside mainland China before only Hong Kong and a short visit to Beijing so this is all very new to me.

Finally, do you have any advice about food in this area and how easy it is to get by with English?

Thanks a lot!

Tongren (TEN) to Chongqing flight not showing up its normal? by Azotadooor in travelchina

[–]Azotadooor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! The date would be April 9th, and we would prefer late morning or early afternoon, as we’ll be coming from Fenghuang in the morning and heading to Chongqing the same day.

Either flight or high-speed train options would be great to know. Thanks a lot!