In Feb I had a colonoscopy. I was told that I have inflammatory bowel disease, colitis.?

I was told that I have inflammatory bowel disease, colitis. It is in the lower part of my large intenstine. At last I found out what has been giving me bad pains in the lower part of my pelvis. Had it for a few years and was always told it was "womens" problems! Back in Feb after losing a lot of blood the doctor here in France sent me to a specialist. She did the colonoscopy and took a biopsy, glad I was out cold. Anyhow, I was put on steroids for 6 months, just finished them. Pentasa, suppositories. Just getting pain back in lower pelvis!! is there anything I can do to stop it flaring up, ie diet? Hard to talk to consultant as her English is limited as is my French. I also put on weight with the steriods and they made me feel yuk, but they did take the pain away. Don't want to go back on them but can't find any positive information on searching the net. Any positive help would be appreciated. Thank you.

My mum has UC and has had for over 30 years. Steriods generally only used during ongoing attack, the trick is to prevent or lessen attacks. You need to work out how to do this, ie what causes you pain. My mum can't eat anything fibrous - fruit, veg (esp tomatoes), steaks, brown bread, potato jackets, spicy food, alcohol. You have to kinda work it out for yourself - keep a food diary. She mainly sticks with chicken, pork and pasta. I could tell you so much more but there is so little space here and I don't want to leave a massive answer. So my mums best advice is: Visit the website below. My mum did and is a member of NACC, she has found them a great source of help as all the members have either Crohns or UC. Lots of info in their newsletters.

The more you learn about your illness and how it affects YOU the better you can control it and the better your long term outcome. My mum has extensive large bowel ulceration and has managed to avoid hospitalisation for the last 20 years and has never been under the surgeons knife.

All the very best to you.

All answers were very informative, I now have something to go on, thank you, Report It

The weight from the steroids will go away. You might want to look into more natural treatment:

People with inflammatory bowel illness should care for themselves in a wholistic manner. Quick fixes never lead to health. Treatment of the symptoms of illness can have a life-ruining effect. Surgical removal of the colon is often considered by the medical establishment to be a standard treatment for chronic cases of colitis and ulcerative colitis.

Only in the past decade is it apparent that some medical doctors have begun to recognize that specific dietary and lifestyle changes can lead to an improvement in inflammatory bowel illness. It is notable that three medical doctors have referred patients with inflammatory bowel illness to me.

It is always prudent for persons with inflammatory bowel illness, even in advanced cases, to get opinions from wholistically trained and experienced health practitioners before submitting to drug therapy and surgery. Most if not all colon surgeries are unnecessary - they body will spontaneously and completely heal itself of even advanced illnesses when the conditions of illness are replaced with the conditions of health.

The best approach to healing is: 1. get a proper education in the physiology of self-healing and natural nutrition; 2. get proper professional health coaching; 3. take complete rest and extra sleep; 4. make a gradual transition to a simple vegan diet with fresh fruits and fresh juices (no raw vegetables or nuts when there is inflammation), eating foods in proper combinations for optimal digestion as described in the Vegan Diet Healing Plan in Self Healing Colitis & Crohns; 5. relax and practice emotional awareness and release; and 6. adopt a healthful lifestyle.

Go to www.DrNatura.com and read through this site. Steroids have horrible side effects as you have found out and don't always help. My doctor wanted to give me steroids for severe hives and I refused. I did the colonix and detox from Dr. Natura for 30 days and it has now been over a year and not one single outbreak of hives. I believe this program helps with IBS and colitis. If you have any questions after reading through the site you can email the customer service or call them toll free. They can advise your situation. They are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Also, Dr. Natura's program is rated at #1 in Health Magazine. I would highly recommend it. What do you have to lose?

Things you can look at:

1. Diet - Especially a low-fat diet rich in fruits, fluids, magnesium, and vitamin C. Avoid sugar.
2. Exercise - It is important to drink 1-2 glasses of water before exercising and 1 glass of water every 20 minutes while exercising to prevent dehydration. Exercise should be avoided during symptom flare-ups or if there is a fever.
3. Stress reduction techniques - Yoga, Tae Chi, meditation, hypnosis

hi im a student nurse and have just finished studying inflammatory bowel disease and ulcerative collitis. .. . . it is a chronic illness u have and therefore will be affected by this probably for life. good management of your condition will be very important and it could help relieve some of the discomfort you are enduring.
diet is very important and try to avoid all dairy products or severely reduce ur intake of those products.
take nutritional supplements.
inflammation is an autoimmune response of ur body so immunosupressants, analgesics and possibly aminosolicilades may help.
the steroids are anti inflammatory and will help treat ur symptoms. . . although long term use of steroids do pose health risks careful management of dosage can greatly reduce those risks.
im sure u are aware of the need for regular screenings to check on any developments of your condition.
i hope that if u can find the right balance between diet and medication u will be able to lead a relatively normal life.

Suggestive diagnosis from story is ulcerative colitis (confirmed by biopsy probably)-treatment in France is excellent.
Presumptive diagnosis confirmed by treatment given.
It depends on how much of the bowel was affected.
Your treatment is the standard-steroids are good but do make you put on weight.
It is hard to give further advice because of lack of further information-anaemia/ and other blood results.
I suggest look up ulcerative colitis on internet and read the facts there.IF this is the diagnosis will give you chance to prepare your Q.
By searching for ulcerative colitis you will have much better results than colitis which is to general

i have crohns disease. also chronic pancreatitis, even though i dont drink.. it is genetic in my case. the doctors over the past decade have tried to use me a a guinie pig, apparently i make a good test subject... which only makes things worse not better.... first, find a wholistic nutrionist.. this will be worth it for you to learn about different foods.. go on a complete elimination diet.. eliminate all foods, basically have liguids, rice, crackers, i even eat plain pretzels.. for at least a few days till the pain subsides. then re- introduce foods SLOWLY.. things i have found that cause an attack.>>>>>meats. {chicken, fish, turkey, seem to be ok} dairy{{ i have switched to soy milk, once you get used to it you wont miss the regular, cook with it too}}} spice, even regular salt and pepper can be an irratant. { my family has gotten used to having to put thier own s&p on food after cooking}}} nuts can irritate too.. avoid citrus, .... you will know when you eat a certain food if it hurts, then dont eat anymore... every day can be a difficult struggle with this, and not many people understand. the pain of even a glass of water can cause.. most people never think about how the body works to digest foods until the spicy food they ate last night tries to come out the bum burning along the way... you have to be your own doctor. write down all the crazy symptoms, with and without medications... keep track of everything. because the doctors wont... remember reactions to all meds.... and write it down... email me if u like. there is so much more to this.. i know how u feel....

After reading all the answers, I will say you have gotten some very well-informed advice and hopefully this will help you.
I'm a mother of three children (now adults) with Crohn's and UC (one has both) and we take it day to day. We have been enduring flare-ups and surgeries for 12 years now. Steriods
are not a "fix" but then sometimes they will help you get over a hump. My kids had good results with Flagyl and Cipro,
but have taken everything in the book. Its important to remember that each flare up might be different, and each respond or not to different methods. Doctors have to weigh the risks with the flare you are having. Trust them, and follow their directions if you have a good team. IBD is chronic, and most times can be managed, but unfortunately there is no cure yet (except with UC-a total colectomy).
My daughter has had over 30 surgeries. She is doing better with Crohn's, but presently in the hospital 27 weeks pregnant, which presents many complications.
We are praying for a safe, healthy delivery because she wanted one child so badly.
best wishes for you, and I hope you start feeling better soon.
Eat many small, bland meals, and get plenty of protien.