As you know from previous blog posts I have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in the form of Ulcerative Colitis, to be specific I have Ulcerative Proctitis which effects the rectum area, rather than the whole bowel. Crohns and Colitis website has an excellent explanation of Ulcerative Colitis here
I am under the care of Kettering General Hospital who have their own team of IBD Nurses, so I see a nurse every 12 months, with the option to contact them at any time if I have any concerns about my Ulcerative Colitis. I then see the Consultant every twelve months about my IBD and he also keeps on eye on my liver condition, so I see someone every 6 months. I also have a blood test every 6 months, which I do a couple of weeks prior to my appointment.
Last year my medication was increased, so I now take two Pentasa mesalazine slow release 1g tablets twice a day and during remission I should use the Pentasa mesalazine enema 1g once per week. If I get a flare up I use the enema more regularly, i.e. twice a day.
I feel my flare ups are triggered by stress and not looking after myself/when I get run down. They tend to occur more often in the winter months, which may be linked to my lower mood and that I am therefore less likely to look after myself at those times.
I struggle with the number of times and lack of control of my bowel movements, which are a challenge for me in the mornings, I have learnt to be aware that a loose stool may be a side-effect of constipation, because the only waste getting out is that, that can get around the blockage. So to watch my diet. I find it difficult to identify whether my multiple and loose bowel movements are a symptom of my IBD or IBS, the latter being aggravated by my Generalised Anxiety Disorder. I know the quantity of food I eat, defiantly has an impact and I think, that my condition(s) are aggravated by wheat and possibly milk.
Overall I feel I manage my Ulcerative Colitis okay, through medication, looking after myself, avoiding stress and accepting that I need to go to the loo 3-4 times every morning, and that my bowels settle down most days after about midday- I manage my day around this.
Here are two older blog posts about Ulcerative Colitis:
Ulcerative Colitis Flare Up and Management