Need some support with flare and stress

[Guest guest]

All,

I've had UC since 2004, and have followed the SCD very strictly since

May 2007 after a three day hospital visit that marked the worst flare

I've experienced. Unfortunately, for the past 5-6 weeks I've been in

a flare, which rowasa initially helped, until a major episode of

stress caused the flare to worsen. On the urging of my GI, I had a

colonoscopy yesterday. Apparently he wanted to rule out IBS symptoms

from IBD.

As it turns out, my colitis has spread to the entire colon. This

doesn't surprise me, as I'm fairly sure that was the case in May

2007, though the hospital did not perform a colonoscopy at that

time. Instead, they observed the colon inflammation via an MRI

scan. My current GI wants to start me on prednisone, but wants to

taper it extremely quickly (over a 5 week course) and then put me on

Imuran, which apparently only has a 60% success rate and is an immuno-

suppressant drug to boot.

I'm completely against taking the Imuran, since it's an unknown and

may cause more problems. He stated that I may lose my colon if I

don't take it. What's more, I want to stay on the prednisone longer,

just as I did the first (and only) time I was on it, back in 2007 for

my flare, to guarantee that the flare doesn't return.

What distresses me is that I entered a flare after complying with

SCD. I keep reviewing in my mind the possible illegals I ingested,

and restaurants come to mind, as do one dubious source of apple

cider, guacamole, etc.

I'm seeking some encouragement and advice. I certainly intend to

stay on the SCD, and I'm hoping that by being extra vigilant and not

eating out as much (used to be 1x per week), I will avoid illegals

and therefore avoid a flare. Stress definitely plays a role in

triggering my IBD symptoms, and now that I'm so worried about my

health, I'm entering a stress-based vicious cycle. Butting heads

with my doctor is also increasing my stress and fear.

Has anyone else ever been through something similar? Have you found

that if you follow the SCD religiously, stress won't trigger a

flare? I'm scared and concerned and want to believe that after

prednisone helps me out of my current flare, the SCD can contain any

future flares.

Thanks in advance,

Jill

UC 2004

SCD 5/2007

lialda, soon prednisone