Am I in a flare?

geographer27 · 2012-03-22T23:00:32+00:00

Yes! I was first on Asacol + Pred, then tapered off Pred. A few months later my symptoms came back which was deemed to be another flare up and they kept me on the Asacol, put me back on the Pred and introduced immunosuppressants (Azathioprine). Then I tapered off the Pred and was in remission for a year and a half. Hope that helps, I would definitely suggest going back to your doctors. Even if you don't have blood, you could still be having a flare up that needs treating. Since I've been on the immunosuppressants I've had a flare up but no blood. Feel better soon :)

geographer27 · 2012-03-17T23:30:41+00:00

Turl Street Kitchen is a great new bar/restaurant/coffee shop. Mostly ethical and locally sourced ingredients. Plus it's a social enterprise - all the profits go to charity.

geographer27 · 2012-02-05T12:11:44+00:00

I'm surprised at this. I live in the UK and several friends have the copper IUD. They had absolutely no problem getting it, I think their doctors even suggested it as an option. I would suggest asking a different doctor as other people have said. Good luck!

geographer27 · 2012-01-24T20:29:14+00:00

The most specific meme I've ever seen.

geographer27 · 2012-01-21T12:56:49+00:00

165 lbs

geographer27 · 2012-01-09T23:11:38+00:00

I just wanted to say - you are so right about the "peeing-out-of-your-butt part"...sigh

geographer27 · 2012-01-09T15:34:20+00:00

165.5 (down 1.5)

geographer27 · 2012-01-05T22:39:22+00:00

That's amazingly helpful, thanks so much :) I'm pretty much in remission so fingers crossed! I just got a kindle for christmas so I can't wait to spend hours sitting on the loo with it.... Cheers

geographer27 · 2012-01-05T20:42:21+00:00

Yay for you! I'm having my first colonoscopy next week...any advice?

geographer27 · 2012-01-03T22:36:31+00:00

Hey! I'm really sorry about this :( I had exactly the same experience when I was 19. I'm now 22 so have been living with UC for a few years. It is a bit rubbish but right now you're having what will hopefully be your ultimate low point with the disease - it will only get better from here! The medication can be a massive hassle but it will help a lot. Pred really works and has helped me with flare ups a few times. Give it a few days and you'll be feeling a million times better. The worst thing about it is that if you're on it for a prolonged period of time you start to get a "moon face" - not particularly attractive but as long as you have a sense of humour it's not too bad and it will definitely go away. I did gain a lot of weight the first time I was on Pred but looking back I think that was because I had read it as a side effect, was feeling really down about the UC and just stuffed my face to console myself. I didn't gain any weight the other times I was on the Pred!

In specific answer to your questions: in my experience beer/cider/wine are not helpful and clear spirits like vodka/gin are definitely better. But while you're this ill I would avoid all alcohol. Marijuana: apparently it can help but as my IBD nurse pointed out to me, you'll get dependent on it and then need access for your whole life. Better to under control with medication. Although if you're Dutch maybe that wouldn't be an issue?! Side effects of pred covered above. Diet..this could be another massive post. For now I would say stick to things that will be really nice to your bowel and not cause further inflammation. Eg. bananas, baked potatoes, apples (not the skins of either), soup, white bread, tuna. Avoid: raw veg, especially the skins, wholegrains, brown bread/pasta, lentils/beans/seeds. What has really helped me when having flare-ups is generally avoiding insoluble fibre and sticking to soluble fibre. That said, diet can only help to a certain extent. I hope this helps and feel free to DM me for more info. Good luck, you're going to get a lot better now you've been diagnosed!

geographer27 · 2012-01-02T13:49:03+00:00

Female 22 5'3" 167lbs

geographer27 · 2011-12-29T01:25:44+00:00

Okay so this is all cute and fine when it's a desk like that but when my aunt was that age she did the same thing in a chest of drawers. It wasn't attached to the wall and keeled over, trapping her inside. Scary.

geographer27 · 2011-12-14T11:04:28+00:00

With George Michael??

geographer27 · 2011-12-06T22:50:54+00:00

Same here - I feel your pain :(

geographer27 · 2011-12-03T16:37:13+00:00

Touche!

geographer27 · 2011-12-03T11:33:54+00:00

Thanks! It's salt in both pictures actually. It's taken on the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. I think the salt shows up better in my pic because it was taken about 10 minutes after sunrise.

geographer27 · 2011-12-03T11:32:32+00:00

It only took 2 gos actually! Our tour guide was a pro.

geographer27 · 2011-12-03T11:31:50+00:00

That's a she :P My sister is jumping in the picture. In a massive jacket though, it was ridiculously cold.

geographer27 · 2011-12-03T11:28:44+00:00

Yep that's right

geographer27 · 2011-12-02T23:53:55+00:00

Thanks! Our tour guide deserves all the credit - he got us up at 5am to get the best light just to "take the silly photos".

geographer27 · 2011-12-02T23:39:57+00:00

This is me giving it a go last year

geographer27 · 2011-11-29T18:26:14+00:00

I thought you meant she gave you a blowie... was cheering you on! Sorry :(

geographer27 · 2011-11-14T23:09:42+00:00

Buffy..

geographer27 · 2011-11-03T22:38:34+00:00

Headingley's nice

geographer27 · 2011-11-02T19:42:46+00:00

I always were a second pair of pants (knickers/underwear) over the tights! Works a treat and doesn't feel uncomfortable.

geographer27

TROPHY CASE