Any IC or UC people here?

[Peregrine Took]

Inflammation will get to you eventually if you constantly stress your organs. At least that's what happened to me.

Interstitial Cystitis and Ulcerative Colitis.

[kdmorris]

1. Me!

And... sometimes, I think I have IBS, too (the pain is excruciating sometimes.) I know that stress causes flare-ups, but there are days when I just can't calm down.

[Peregrine Took]

4. I have UC but I seem to have bouts of IBS a lot lately.

If I eat something that rubs my colon the wrong way or stress - I get terrible cramps or just aching in the middle of the night.

I just got a lightbox - I'm hoping it will help me deal with the latter and SAD issues, too.

[auntAgonist]

2. My husband suffered from Severe Ulcerative Colitis for many years. Every

fall and late spring he'd have a horrible flare up. Stress (I always thought) was a huge factor.

He had surgery last February to remove the entire colon and had an ileostomy until June of this year when they did a 'take down' and reversed it. It's taken a while for him to fully recover and he still has some toileting issues but all in all he is SO much healthier. NO flare up this November/Fall .. no bleeding, no pain, nothing ...

Please take care of yourself !

aA
kesha

[Peregrine Took]

3. Those change of season times can really affect you when you have UC.

My husband and I BOTH have it! Thankfully, we have a great doc and do acupuncture, too, so we have been in remission for years.

[graywarrior]

5. I'm scheduled for the potassium test to determine IC

Decided not to take that route. Too invasive and docs don't care enough to ask why I feel that way. My prescription for myself? Chill. Seems to be working.

[Lindakimy]

6. Different but related

I have Crohns. I was diagnosed in 1980 but had the symptoms for years before that. The doctors spent about 10 years telling me it was all in my head. I had surgery in 1980 that left me with a short gut and a lot of symptoms but did interrupt the misery somewhat. I have learned to live with it for the most part. I've only had one hospitalization since 1980 and don't take any medication on a regular basis. I do have pain and potty problems a lot but, to me, it's normal. Other people have allergies or arthritis...I have diarrhea. Big whoop.

Over the years I have learned what to eat to keep things calm and what situations cause problems - at least for me - and I'm happy to talk with others who are dealing with this mess so they can benefit from my experience if it applies in their case. And I'd love to learn from them what they have figured out. I don't know anybody personally who has this problem. I do think we are all different and what works for me may not work for you. Still...it can't hurt to know that somebody else is going through much the same.