HAs anyone any experience of ulcerative colitis please?

[Peachy]

My BIL is 30 and 4 years ago ahd tests for problems which ruled out ulcerative colitis. He's been getting steadily worse since, and had another test- seems the first missed the signs, and it is. Only it is now so severe they can at best buy him 6 months on meds until an colostomy has to be done, maybe reversible, maybe not.

He's in hospital atm, for goodness knows how long. Dsis has a 3 year old, is 5 montsh pg trying to hold down shift work and verys tressed.

HAs anyone any useful info / experiences please?

thanks

Hi

I was diagnosed with UC about 4 years ago. So sorry for your BIL, it is a horrid illness. Luckily mine seemed to be relatively mild, I have not had a flare-up in about 2 years.

Can't offer too much advice on dealing with a more severe outbreak, or surgery, but my experiences were:

• My symptoms got much, much worse when stressed, tired or run down, so perhaps your BIL can look into some relaxation techniques (yoga, reflexology, whatever works for him).

• I found that steroids didn't help my symptoms and made me feel terribly stressed due to unpleasant way you have to take them. I went to a naturopath (recommended by a friend who has Crohn's) and they suggested giving my digestive system as easy a time as poss to help healing, this meant cutting out wheat and dairy, and caffeine, which I believe did make a difference in the reduction of my symptoms - might not work for everyone but might be worth a shot. I also took lots of multivits and omega-3 oils (in liquid form so easy to digest).

• There has apparently been some research to say that probiotics can really help with UC, so might be worth a try. There is more about this in the book The Good Gut Guide by Stephanie Zinser, which is a really, really helpful book packed with info on dealing with IC, Crohn's etc.

• I was fortunate not to need surgery but did look into it just in case, and it seems that these days it's really not as bad as you might fear - surgery does cure UC altogether and these days most colostomies can leave you with an internal 'pouch' rather than needing a stoma & bag, so you can basically carry on a normal life as before, better than dealing with all the pain and indignity UC can bring.

Hope that helps, and feel free to ask if you have any more Qs...

Also you can get lots of info and support from the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease - www.nacc.org.uk

I was just about to add the website for NACC, my mum died of chrons in 2004 so am very wary of tummy trouble symptoms.

Best wishes for BIL x

Thanks for all the info guys, will forward my sister a copy of the link- thanks. She's on caompassionate leave now but theyc an't afford it for long.

Thanks again

Sorry just noticed this thread. There is a website forum called Ostomyland (sorry don't know how to paste link). Many members on there with UC and have had or undergoing J Pouch surgery, they would be happy to answer any questions your BIL may have.