My daughter (she’s 18) has been referred to a gastroenterologist to confirm diagnosis of UC, having suffered with symptoms since the summer exam period.
She’s got classic UC symptoms (mucus, blood, cramps, tiredness, she’s also had painful knee joints for a couple of years and tummy pains which we’d previously put down to period cramps) Stool tests and raised crp also point towards this diagnosis.
Questions for those with experience here are:
1. What should we ideally expect from the gastro in terms of tests to confirm diagnosis and next steps. Are there things we should be asking for them to do.
2. What steps can my daughter take to alleviate symptoms herself - for example, diet and supplements?
Thanks in advance
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Laundretta
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The gastro will almost certainly request a colonoscopy to see what's going on. Tests so far do suggest IBD, so then they will prescribe some meds to help with symptoms. In the meantime, your daughter could try keeping a food diary to see if anything in particular causes trouble. A low fibre diet might help.
Hi , my daughter is 18yrs old and has Protitis which is ulcerative colitis in the rectum and a small amount in the sigmoid which is just after the rectum. Same symptoms as your daughter although she didn’t have cramps until recently. Sadly she had her first flare up. She had had mild/moderate symptoms up until then . I am sure this will be tempoyans she will go back to being better maintained.
Possible the stress of exams started this off for your daughter, stress is a bug factor.
My daughter started university in September and sadly her UC got worse but I am sure it will pass with your daughter and mine.
Like the other reply , the only way the can properly diagnose is with a colonoscopy. They will need to take biopsies , just tiny pieces, my daughter says it doesn’t hurt as they sedate you.
It is very important to know where it is but treatment for UC or Crohns is pretty much the same but will vary depending on where it is .
My daughter has steriod foam at night and a suppository in the morning and also takes mesalazine which is a inflammation drug to help dampen down the inflammation in her rectum.
They have wonderful drugs to help your daughter it will just be necessary to find the right ones to help her and keep it maintained well, that is the secret.
Sometimes it is necessary to put them on a course of steriods to get the inflammation down quickly. My daughter is on them now for the first time but only approx 5 weeks , she 2.5 weeks into it and doing well. No side effects so far . If you read the side effects it does frighten you but with all these drugs the paperwork for the side effects or the internet does scare you but it doesn’t mean your daughter will get them. When they do you just change drug to find what works better.
Food sadly doesn’t always make a big difference but certain foods may trigger more air/bloating in her tummy.
My daughter keeps off diary , fibre and doesn’t eat much bread. She finds this helps her a little.
She has always had a diary intolerance anyway, since birth.
Fibre , beans , brown bread & pasta cause air or may cause more air for her, really depends how she feels after having it.
Exercise seems to be a very big help and keeping relaxed.
My daughter found when she as at school and played footie in the team she was better.
She walks lots but is joining a gym this term to help. Many sufferers say this, so exercise must be key , just little steps if she is tired like you said. The disease makes you tired as it is hard on you body trying to heal itself inside constantly and frequently go to the loo doesn’t help.
Please make sure your daughter drinks a lot of water.
I make sure my daughter has foods with high iron levels in them. Spinach, red meats , raisins and other rich sources of vitamins like avocado, bananas, almonds (not too many nuts) broccoli, kale (fry in rapeseed oil with a little sea salt) salmon as the omegas oils are good for them.
Good luck with your daughter and I hope you get her well very soon with all the right help.
It’s not easy but stay positive and she will feel better and less tired soon , takes time but she will.
they will do a colonoscopy which is the way they diagnose it.
Then start medication like mesalazine.
I wouldn't advise not taking the medication prescribed as there is little evidence for diet only. But there are foods that are classed as 'antiinflammatory' ie turmeric.
Juice Master has interesting smoothy/juice ideas.
In a flare up avoid foods that can agrevate the bowel lining and are difficult to digest ie mushrooms onion, seeds, nuts. Alcohol can make some people worse. But everyone is different, I can normally eat whatever I want. If I have a flare up im abit more sensitive.
You can look at the FODMAP diet.
Curious as why you would put it down to period pains- did it only happen certain times of the month?
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