')John Hopkins web site pretty much says it all: “Although therapeutic approaches have demonstrated symptomatic improvement, there have been few patients with total historological reversal.” javascript:emoticon(':mallet:')
For the last 25 years I have been afflicted with a “colitis” condition. On June 10, 1987, a colonoscopy was performed and my condition was diagnosed as “ulcerative colitis” and I had several benign polyps removed. I was placed on sulfasalazine, and was symptom free until 1990, at which time I had minor surgery and had to go off the drug (and also quit smoking that year). Without the sulfasalazine I still remained in remission until 2007.
In the fall of 2006 my husband and I traveled to Paris and England. Three months later, I was house bound, wearing depends, and worse day scenario - D occurred 15 x a day. A colonoscopy diagnosed me to have “Microscopic/Lymphocytic colitis”. This bout has truly been my worse, I have absolutely no warning, as I had with my previous colitis condition. My most humiliating experience was where I lost control in a restaurant - yes, a restaurant!javascript:emoticon(':oops:')
During the past 23 years, I have had 8 colonoscopies, a signoidoscopy, cat scans, MRI, and a liver bioposy and, I have taken: Sulfasalazine, prednisone, entocort, cholestyramine, asacol, colosal, imodium, asacol, and various antibiotics. I have been under the care of 5 different GI’s and even went to a disease specialist, in that I thought perhaps I might have contacted a bacterial infection while in Europe.
I have found “Entocort” to work the very best for me. Since 2007, I have been on three separate regiments: On for 17 months, and weaned off for three months. My bone density has been compromised, so I must remain off it for now.
Which brings me to the present: I actually feel very blessed due to the fact that both cancer and Crohn’s disease had been suspected, and ruled out. I have the “D” pretty much under control by, of all things, using Pepto Bismal - over 300 mg. Daily, and a dose of Lomotil before I go out in public. Since my last colonoscopy, April 10, 2009, I now have rumblings in my stomach before the “D” strikes, which thank God gives me some warnings. I guess there is more to be said for a colonoscopy than just diagnosis? (ha ha). Also, I have found that eating several small meals throughout the day, and very important, exercising daily really helps me to feel better. When Tex says “keep a food journal” he is absolutely right, and you might also consider keeping a medication journal as well, I have found it to be very helpful as well.
Somewhere, I don’t remember whose message, I think it was Tex, said that autoimmune diseases as well as thyroid diseases are very often associated with colitis. i would find it very interesting to see how true this is of any of you. I have arthritis, hypoglycemia, and hypothyroidism.
Jerri!
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