What should I ask the doctor?

What questions should I ask my gastroenterologist? More important, I think, is to actually take a little notepad in with you into the doctor's office and have it at the ready when the two of you are having a discussion. A simple thing I know, but chances are it is a costly visit for you and we all want to know the best way to get a handle on UC. I know I would probably forget a few questions and kick myself afterwards for it without taking some prepared questions in with me.

I have some questions prepared for my doctor's visit next week. I'll need to know what meds he will Rx, they will be new this time since Balsalazide Disodium is not helping us (the doc and I) reach our goal of remission.

Not something I was dying to put in the search box on my browser for, but I've heard people had success with a fecal transplant so I will ask about that. I also need to know if some of the bleeding is due to hemmorrhoids and if so, what I can do about that. Also, LDN. LDN is Low Dose Naltrexone, and something I've read that is in general effective, quickly. Sometimes I am severely constipated. I can swing from one extreme to the other, but I thought most with UC just stayed at one extreme. I need to ask about that as well, even though both doctors have told me modifying my diet won't help get UC into remission.

I think the doctor has a certain plan laid out for me if things keep getting worse. But this is my second doctor and things are not progressing as they both were hoping. I've poured thousands of dollars in to this already. So I will be prepared this time with a notepad and questions, ready for action as it were.

Donation for Ulcerative Colitis Research

I was thinking that as impressive and helpful as the current medicine available for UC sufferers may be, the research into UC is not complete. This is evident in people like me who find remission elusive, and are trying to get a handle on their symptoms getting worse instead of better. More research needs more money, and although because of my rising medical bills I can only donate so much, every little bit counts!

 I recommend making a donation to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. CCFA is approved by the Better Business Bureau, BBB. And of course, the donation is tax deductible! Since science and technology is advancing at such a rapid pace, let's hope researchers will continue to make progress in medicine, and maybe find the exact causes and a cure for ulcerative colitis.

 After all, if scientists can clone sheep and grow hair on bald mice using stem cells, almost anything should be possible!

Naturally!

No Rx medications are getting UC into remission. I have just started to take Aloe Vera Gels and Boswellia. Apparently the Gels can become habit forming. I will be careful to not become dependent on them. I bought the brand that didn't have that warning on the label, but I will make sure I am aware of this anyways.

I have higher hopes for the Boswellia. It is extract from a kind of tree found in the countryside in India. It can help with UC, and could even help with arthritis, so if it is effective for a double whammy then I am all set!

I figured I should give some natural remedies a try, even though probiotics haven't helped me in the past. All the different Rx drugs I've spent thousands on haven't helped either that much, so I have nothing to lose!

Stomach Pain :(

I've been having more stomachaches in the last few months. I assume it is just from taking all kinds of medicine non-stop for almost a year now. It is more of a dull pain but still no good.

I have been exercising alot more recently, hoping that if I get back into shape that would help things. In the past I'd lose close to 10% of my weight in the first few months when I got back into exercising after a long layoff. Not now! I know I am getting older but I also feel (literally) that it is because I am not 'regular' and that the medicine is slowing weight loss.

Having said that, getting back into the gym is great so I will stick with it!

New doc says...

I went to the new doctor, he was impressed(?) with how many meds I've tried so far. He Rxed Cortifoam, which will cost me $250/month. He didn't have much new to say, except he agreed with my previous doctor and said that I should be in remission even though I am not.

I got even more nauseous than usual over the weekend, not cool.

Remission Impossible

Doc said I should be in remission after 6 weeks. It's been 6+ months, time to see a new doctor! Since I've started the medicine it has helped, but not enough. Even my old doctor agreed. I am headed for my 3rd insurance plan of the year, I am sure the ladies in the doctors office love me!

Balsalazide still makes me nauseous a little almost all the time, just like Asacol HD before it. Strange that I have had to adjust to and accept that feeling 24/7. The good news is that sleeping enough isn't as big a problem as when I first started UC meds.

Recommended UC Support Group - CCFA

I called up CCFA and they were very helpful. They have a new forum here that should help people with UC support each other. I added a link to CCFA in my sidebar because they sounded very professional on the phone and I'll take any support that I can get!

They were eager to provide info and I think their site has alot of good stuff to read, too.

Probiotic yogurt etc.

My doctor recommended I eat probiotic yogurt and other such products. Anything would help me at this point. He also suggested Accuflora like I wrote about previously. A pill is ok but I really prefer solid foods for this kind of thing, like most people. Kefir tastes great, it is kind of strong but mixes well with my protein powder.

Citrucel, you see.

My doc recommended Citrucel to help with UC and to straighten out general digestion issues. This was after I told him Metamucil was not effective for me.

The pink lemonade Metamucil tastes fine I think, and the standard orange flavor for Citrucel tastes even better in my opinion.

Metamucil is more natural than Citrucel but the latter is better for me!

Beginning of the End

I think a blog would help me handle having ulcerative colitis. It should be a good way to cope with this and keep track as I beat it. I know it can't be cured but if I do what I need to, I should be alright.

I found out I have it a few months ago. The drugs for it could cost about $1,000 a month. I'll have to see if I can get a decent insurance plan.

This is the beginning of the end... for my problems with this!

Not me, UC!