My husband was diagnosed in 1998. He has severe colitis. Fortunately, he hasn't had a flareup since October.
Here's his recommendations:
1. reduce your stress - don't worry about things you can control!
2. get lots of rest - don't stay up late! Even if you sleep in to make up for it, it still puts unneeded stress on your body!
3. make sure you take your medication. Salofak is much better than Asacol. With Asacol, Lucas developed a buildup in his kidneys and when he thought he was peeing blood was actually the medication. As soon as he went on Salofak he side effects were nearly eliminated. Ask your doctor if you can do that. Are they putting you on steroids? Which ones? He can offer suggestions there as well.
4. your diet is really important. Stay away from the biggies - alcohol, spicy foods, dairy and really oily food
5. yes, there's no cure. But its something that you can control! Eventually you can get off of medication! Lucas has nearly reduced to nothing. We think that by the summer he will be off Salofak. That doesn't mean anything changes - just he doesn't take the pills. His diet stays the same.
I think his biggest challenge was reducing his stress level. It took a lot of time for him to figure out his stress triggers and how to avoid them. He is the biggest worry wart I've ever met and it doesn't help his condition. He now just takes it day by day and focuses on the things he can change and ignores the things he can't.
I would have to say that family can really help you with this condition. I keep his diet in the 'safety zone' and I try to help with the stress. (He helps me with my IBS too!) It's teamwork!!
I hope this information helps. If you ever need to talk or want to talk to my husband we have MSN Instant Messenging. Our email is kimandlucas@hotmail.com . He's been on lots of different medications and has lots of experience in this field because he's a scientist. So he'd be the one to ask. And if he didn't know the answer - he would find a way to get it for you!!
Take care of yourself and don't feel down about your diagnosis. It's a new challenge, a new fork in your life road. You can do this!!!!
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Re: Colitis - just diagnosed after colonoscopy & biopsy - starting new med - anyone else with colitis?
