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anyone have ulcerative colitis?

anna7602anna7602 member
in Babies: 9 - 12 Months

have you had flare ups since giving birth and of so, when and how long did they last? my GI warned me that I would get a lot better during pregnancy, but could get a lot worse after giving birth. I did get much better during pregnancy and happily continued to feel great for months afterward. However, lately, I've been having beginning symptoms of a flare-up here and there. I'm terrified of having a bad enough flare up to require hospitalization.

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Re: anyone have ulcerative colitis?

  • Brit&NateBrit&Nate
    I do. I've been REALLY lucky in that I was in remission for 6 months before TTC (doctor's orders) and have been all through my pregnancy until now. Have you gone back to the gastro since your DC's birth? If you're not nursing, you might want to consider meds. They really helped me for the three years I was on them. Feel free to page me if you want to chat.
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  • Mrs.N_2005Mrs.N_2005
    I have Crohn's disease.  I got the same warning but I haven't had any flare-ups for over 3yrs, knock on wood.  Are you on meds?
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  • nictelnictel
    I have Crohn's too...haven't had a bad flare up in years, but spent a lot of my 20's in and out of the ER, so I understand.  I try to minimize stress, drink lots of water, watch what I eat, and get a lot of sleep.  Of course with a baby, that's just about impossible!  I worry, but am trying to get as much help as possible to avoid another attack.
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  • anna7602anna7602 member
    Thanks, ladies. I am on meds, but a very low dose since I'm nursing. I think a bunch of work-related deadlines before the holidays and traveling to 4 states in 9 days with DD (and DH) might have pushed me close to the edge. I will try to take it easy over the next few weeks and see if I feel better before talking to my GI about upping my meds (which would probably mean having to wean DD).
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  • Pelusa214Pelusa214 member

    *Butting in*

    Did you all have a colonoscopy to diagnose you?  I've been having abdominal pain (upper & lower, both sides) for 2 years following 1 hospitalization for perforated colon (hospital said diverticulitis was the cause, but I was only 28 & the GI said the CT scan showed no diverticulae) and another 6 weeks later for what we think was an obstruction of my small intestine.  It all started 6 weeks after I stopped bcp & I was fine while I was pg and afterwards until about 2 weeks after my first pp period.  The only test I haven't had done is a colonoscopy, because nobody thinks I need one because I don't really suffer from diarrhea or constipation.  I'm thinking about seeing another GI & asking for a colonoscopy, but I'm afraid of the risk of perforation...

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  • wearewineloverswearewinelovers

    I had it for 10 years and had my large intestine removed.  I still have tummy troubles where I have to watch my diet but don't have the flareups like I did with my large intestine.

    Treatment that helped me was meds (Asacol and Remicade Injections) and a bland diet with cranberry juice -- rice/potatoes/pasta without any kind of crazy sauce (cream of chicken soup in rice was my favorite), toast, etc.

    I find that cranberry juice helps a lot now if my belly is "having a moment".  I also find that a heating pad on my belly helps to get things moving and helps to feel better.  Also, cut out your sugar if you haven't done that already.  I still have problems if I have too much sugar.  I will tell you though, after the recovery from having my intestine removed, I wouldn't change anything about having it done

    I would schedule an appointment with your gastro.  Also, if it has been a while since your last colonoscopy or have never had one you may want to consider that so you know the extent of the involvement.

    Feel better soon and also try to find a way to relax every day.  Stress and lack of sleep was definitely a factor for me.

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  • wearewineloverswearewinelovers

    Pelusa214 -

     I had numerous colonoscopies with no problems.  My first was an emergency with no meds.  The subsequent ones were medicated and I had no problems.  I would say get checked out. 

    The prep is the worst part and after the gassiness is done from the procedure (usually an hour or a little more) the side effects (in my experience) are minimal

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  • Mrs.N_2005Mrs.N_2005
    Pelusa, you should definitely see another GI doc and get a colonoscopy done.  Remember that you are in charge of your medical care, if you feel like you need a procedure or different level of care you may have to insist.  I think the risk of perforation is low but I can see why it concerns you.  And diarrhea and constipation isn't the only sign of intestinal issues.  For example, my Crohn's causes me to get sores in my mouth, bowel problems happen for me later on if I go untreated. 
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  • Mrs.N_2005Mrs.N_2005
    wearewinelovers-My sister also has had Remicade, are you still doing this?  She now does self-injections of Humera (sp?) and is much happier with that.
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  • SBMBride406SBMBride406
    I have microscopic colitis, which is a little different, of course. Unfortunately I caught c.diff in the hospital and I've had it 4 times since giving birth (every time I stop antibiotics, I get it again within a week). Everytime the c.diff comes back my GI dr threatens hospitalization (I had to stay 13 days pp - the last 7 were b/c of the c.diff). Seriously, I will lose it if I spend another night in the hospital in the next 12 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  • FutureMrsDenmanFutureMrsDenman member

    Butting in too, but looking for some hope ... please ...

    My cousin (a mother of 3 under 5) was diagnosed Monday with Crohn's.  Evidently she was a very severe case.  She has lost ~40+ pounds in 6 weeks and was covering up symptoms for that whole period because she was too busy with family matters (her DD's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) and didn't want to upset anyone's holidays going to the doctor and getting bad news, etc.  Anyway ... they won't give her any medication yet because they don't think her body can handle it.  They are running more tests this week to see if there is anything they can give her at all.  She has ulcers and infection throughout both intestines and has the mouth ulcers as well.  She can not keep solid or liquid food in/down.  I thought that the mortality rate with Crohn's was supposed to be super super low.  But it sounds like (over the phone talking to relatives several states away) that the doctors aren't really giving much hope.  What is really strange to me is that they haven't admitted her and started TPN yet.  I know that insurance is an issue (she has individual insurance that isn't great), but give me a break ... they should be doing SOMETHING if it is as severe as they say it is.

    Can anyone give me any positive or hopeful stories about advanced or severe cases of Crohn's going into remission with treatment?  Have you ever heard of Crohn's patients denied treatment because their bodies woudn't be able to handle it?

    Also ... does anyone happen to know a Crohn's specialist in Indiana?

    TIA!

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