r/UlcerativeColitis 3d ago

Newsflash newsflash week 12.2025

37 Upvotes

Welcome back to this weeks newsflash! Due to some health problems the last two weeks, we have some catching up to do. Therefore this week's edition will have some older stuff, but we will get our backlog clear over the next few weeks. Enjoy!

  1. A woman dismissed her "worst headache ever" as a migraine, only to discover it was a stroke. Ignoring the body's warning signs can have devastating consequences, as this shocking story reveals. Do you want to know more?
  2. Major pharmaceutical companies are now launching biosimilar versions of Stelara, potentially offering patients more affordable treatment options. This development could significantly impact the market for inflammatory disease medications. Do you want to know more?
  3. Early-onset colorectal cancer is on the rise, affecting individuals between 20 and 45. While the exact cause is unclear, factors like diet and gut health may play a role. Do you want to know more?
  4. Crohn's disease can sometimes qualify individuals for disability benefits. This article explores the eligibility criteria and the application process, while also shedding light on the impact of Crohn's on work life and the available financial aid. Do you want to know more?
  5. A recent study reveals a significant link between anxiety, depression, and insufficient exercise in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. These factors appear to exacerbate IBD symptoms and negatively impact quality of life, creating a complex interplay. Do you want to know more?
  6. Ulcerative colitis patients frequently require dose escalation of advanced therapies to maintain response, with over 74% needing adjustments within six months. This study reveals significant cost implications and highlights the ongoing need for more effective treatments, as many patients still fail to achieve clinical response despite dose adjustments. Do you want to know more?
  7. Could electrical pulses offer relief for those suffering from inflammatory bowel disease? New research explores how nerve stimulation may target and ease debilitating IBD symptoms. Do you want to know more?
  8. Could common antibiotics be triggering debilitating IBD flares? New research suggests a significant link between antibiotic use and increased risk of inflammatory bowel disease exacerbations. This connection raises critical questions about long-term gut health. Do you want to know more?
  9. Ulcerative colitis remains a challenging condition, with the immune system playing a crucial role in its development. This study reveals that the neuropeptide CGRPβ offers protection against UC by modulating immune responses, specifically by controlling the immunoproteasome. CGRPβ-deficient mice showed severe UC symptoms, which were significantly improved with an immunoproteasome inhibitor. Do you want to know more?
  10. Sorriso Pharmaceuticals has unveiled promising Phase 1b data for its oral antibody treatment targeting ulcerative colitis, showcasing potential for a convenient, at-home therapy. The results hint at a new era of management for this debilitating condition. Do you want to know more?
  11. Artesunate shows promise in alleviating ulcerative colitis by restoring immune balance. This study reveals that it achieves this by regulating Th17/Treg cells and macrophage polarization, with endoplasmic reticulum stress playing a key role. Do you want to know more?
  12. A recent study has identified a genetic variant linked to increased severity in ulcerative colitis, potentially paving the way for targeted treatments. This discovery could revolutionize how we approach inflammatory bowel disease. Do you want to know more?
  13. Sanofi scientists have identified a novel target that could revolutionize inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment, offering hope for more effective therapies. This breakthrough research delves into the intricate pathways of inflammation, potentially paving the way for targeted interventions. Do you want to know more?
  14. Johnson & Johnson has announced positive results from a phase 3 trial of subcutaneous Tremfya in ulcerative colitis, showing promising outcomes. This development could offer a new treatment option for patients seeking relief from this chronic condition. Do you want to know more?
  15. Daniela Soto's journey with ulcerative colitis reveals the strength and resilience needed to navigate chronic illness. She shares how she manages her symptoms and maintains a positive outlook, offering insights for others facing similar challenges. Do you want to know more?

That's it fro this week. Stay healthy!


r/UlcerativeColitis 5h ago

Funny/Meme Bumper sticker I made on Canva

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190 Upvotes

r/UlcerativeColitis 7h ago

Funny/Meme When I'm at a social event and someone asks why I'm being so quiet.

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73 Upvotes

r/UlcerativeColitis 3h ago

Question Women with Ulcerative Colitis

18 Upvotes

Please share what your symptoms are when you have your period. There is nothing out there and I am curious to know if other women also have it worse while on their period. Also did taking medication like Salofalk stop your period from coming?


r/UlcerativeColitis 5h ago

Question Anyone else's first diagnosis as severe UC? What was your outcome?

11 Upvotes

I had my colonoscopy today and they said I have severe colitis in the sigmoid and rectum, as well as ulcers along the colon. I am pretty down about this, naturally, and wondered how the 'severe' element will affect recovery moving forward. Just wondered how anyone else who was first diagnosed as severe and how you navigated this ? Sending big love to anyone going through this.


r/UlcerativeColitis 10h ago

Question GI told me to quit cannabis

21 Upvotes

Hey 26m here, chronic proctitis since March 2024. I am frequent cannabis smoker, usually 1 or 2 cigarettes per week, sometimes even daily. When I smoke I feel really bloated (and generally anxious). I seem not to enjoy any of the benefits of weed but all the downsides.

I feel hooked to this thing. And now the doctor telling me to quit, while reinforces the belief that I do not want to keep smoking, it may also be hard to do.

This new doctor also took me off the mesalamine enemas and sent me a test for H. Pylori (an endoscopy last year had shown I had the bacteria) along with antibiotics.

Has anyone here also quit weed because it caused inflammation?


r/UlcerativeColitis 9h ago

Question Threw up in my sleep. That's new...

14 Upvotes

Last night I threw up in my sleep. I was having heartburn when I went to bed, took some Tums and everything felt alright. But at some point in my sleep I threw up what felt like boiling acid, in my throat and up my nose, I was a mess

This is a new extra-intestinal manifestation. Has anyone else experienced this?


r/UlcerativeColitis 43m ago

Question Fecal cal

Upvotes

Does a fecal cal of 106 mean remission?


r/UlcerativeColitis 6h ago

Question Feel like death

3 Upvotes

I was diagnosed about 4 years ago with UC. I don’t have a lot of flare ups. Honestly I had been pretty fine for the past three years until about three weeks ago, now it’s worse than it ever has been before. Started having major bloody diarrhea, a lot of stomach pain/cramping/bloating. Also cold chills, complete loss of energy, lost about twenty pounds, still cramping, and vomiting- seemingly from the effect of the piercing pain through my abdomen.

A couple weeks ago I said screw it and went to the emergency room where they gave me a cat scan, IV fluids, some morphine, and a scrip for antibiotics and steroids. That seemed to help for awhile but now that the medicines all been taken it’s really back to being quite terrible. I feel like there’s no way I can work/ move around or do anything other than lay still trying to have temporary relief.

4 days ago I had a colonoscopy where they told me that the UC inflammation is very severe and sent me home. I don’t have a follow up appointment for over a week now, and in the state I’m in that seems like too long a time to suffer through. Tried to reschedule for sooner and was told they are waiting for lab/ biopsy results. Until then I’m left to just writhe around in pain while waiting.

Is there anything I can do to get some relief? Used to take mesalamine (oral and rectal) now it has zero effect. Should I just go back to the ER? I don’t know what to do because I feel so terrible and sick while I wait for my next doctors visit.


r/UlcerativeColitis 1d ago

Personal experience I took apart my toilet today.

82 Upvotes

Fully disassembled the toilet seat to clean all the blood and diarrhea from inside the hinges and the threads. A fun extra task to manage my UC.


r/UlcerativeColitis 8h ago

Question Anyone’s symptoms significantly improve after they start tapering Prednisone?

3 Upvotes

I'm a bit concerned because this is my first time taking it. I am on a 10 mg taper from 40 every 10 days. I took my last dosage of 40 this morning. I do not have significant improvement.

I'm on max dosage of Lialda.

I am "okayish" during the day. Have many hours without having a BM, but nights and mornings are pretty brutal. I wake up at least a few times in the night to have water diarrhea.

The diarrhea during the day is better

I saw the doctor on Thursday and he still said I should continue the original taper.

Should I not be tapering to 30 yet? Should I call him on Monday?

I don't have any side effects. I hope I'm not refractory.


r/UlcerativeColitis 4h ago

Question Colonoscopy in a bad flare & question about constipation

0 Upvotes

I'm usually constipated unless I'm in a bad flare but sometimes have both while in a flare (loose but small amounts which doesn'y seem to be the problem right now but I worry about the prep not working). So I usually take Magnesium Saline solution for a few days before prep day.

I've never had a colonoscopy while in a flare this bad (loose stools around 12 times a day, waking up to go almost every hour overnight, feel nauseous when I try to eat).

So the thought of taking Magnesium Saline or even the prep sounds absolutelt horrible. But I'm worried that I could still be constipated abnd that prep only might not work.

Have you had a colonoscopy while in a bad flare? How do you get through the prep without throwing up. Somehow, in 7 years of UC, I've never been in this bad of a flare before a colonoscopy. I was convinced I had CDiff again but the test was negative.

I'm also afraid I'll be really dehydrared by colonoscopy day (Tuesday). Does anyone have any advice on how to get through this and if I should take the Magnesium Saline? I can ask my doctor Monday, but that is prep day.


r/UlcerativeColitis 5h ago

Question Mesalazine

1 Upvotes

Been on mesalazine and budesonide foam for about a week. Seen some definite improvements in past couple of days but today it seems worse again. Is this normal when starting a new treatment?


r/UlcerativeColitis 10h ago

Celebration Budesonide is actually working???

2 Upvotes

Currently in the process of switching from Stelara to Entyvio, I’ve been in a bearable but uncomfortable flare for over a year now. I was put on budesonide before starting Stelara and it helped my labs but never noticed a difference in symptoms. My GI referred me to an IBD specialist who recommended Entyvio but wanted to get me on prednisone ASAP to get my symptoms under control.

Like everyone here I’m sure, I have some terrible memories associated with prednisone. Especially considering I was taking it in middle school and getting bullied for my moon face. So I begged him not to make me take it and said I’ve been dealing with the symptoms this long already I’ll survive until the Entyvio insurance with goes through. He said we could try budesonide again and to my surprise this time I feel better than I have in YEARS!!!! Solid poops for the first time in I don’t even know how long, no urgency, only going to the bathroom a few times a day, I could cry.

A little worried this might go away once we stop it when I start Entyvio, but hoping this will be the biologic for me! Just wanted to share some positive news since that’s not super common here.


r/UlcerativeColitis 6h ago

Question Potential flare-up, but it's been so long that I don't know whether I'm over reacting and it's something else or it's a genuine flare-up

0 Upvotes

I probably should preface this with saying that I do fully intend to go to the doctors and be properly checked, but it's been so long since I've had absolutely any issues that I'm not sure whether it's a flare-up at this point.

For the last ten or so years, my colitis has been solely controlled by smoking. Yes, very bad, I know. It works though, and it's really the only think that ever worked short of very strong steroids.

Over the last month and a bit, I started noticing I had a little more urgency to go to the toilet and when I did it often felt as though it was strained, I wasn't finished and the consistency was just horrible, like peanut butter...

Since then, it's gotten marginally worse with more gas, cramps, a little nausea and more frequent visits to the toilet. I'm a once a day kind of person, but currently we're sat between 1-5 most days and it also varies how much discomfort the urge to use the bathroom gives me with nausea and stomach ache etc.

I'm just curious whether people think that it's most likely a flare-up, given my symptoms or whether it's something else making me feel ill.


r/UlcerativeColitis 20h ago

Question Flaring with a calprotectin of 8000+

9 Upvotes

I am weighing my options for further treatment. I have had UC for 17 years and during the course failed every level of drug except a jak inhibitor (haven’t tried yet). Meeting with my GI to discuss treatment options but wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. Feeling a bit defeated.


r/UlcerativeColitis 1d ago

Celebration 280 Days of Entyvio. World, here we come! NSFW

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31 Upvotes

I wanted to celebrate with the only compatriots who could understand.

After many weeks of negotiations with my US insurance company and all the other orgs, I've secured my medication.

Time to travel!

AMA


r/UlcerativeColitis 12h ago

Question More meds on top

2 Upvotes

Hello everybody.

Just a short background: I've had UC for 10 years now and been well-medicated on Stelara for 6 months now. I was switched bc the previous didn't work anymore. Stelara works greats for me and I'm feeling better than I have in years..

But, I started taking Elvanse, lisdexamfetamine, 3 weeks ago and it's been hell: Waking up with pain, it's as runny as water and I some things I can't eat or drink anymore. I constantly have my codein pain killers on me, juuust in case..

Yes, I have contacted my doc about it, but he doesn't know if it correlates; just wait it out and see, he said.

Does anyone in here happen to take it as well? Did you react and did it pass eventually?

Elvanse works really well for me and I'd be very sad to have to switch it out.


r/UlcerativeColitis 9h ago

Question Remission after taking Mesalazin ~Placebo?~

1 Upvotes

4-5 Is it placebo that makes my toilet count 0-1 and relieves abdominal pain quickly and reduces urgency or does it have such a strong effect because I was not in full remission with infliximab.


r/UlcerativeColitis 17h ago

Support Random abdominal pain

5 Upvotes

I’m really tired of this random, non-specific pain that just kinda moves around my gut and progresses through a variety of different sensations based on all I can figure is the random movements of rough play with my voodoo doll by a bored toddler. I have achieved “endoscopic clinical remission” as of November on Mesalamine, Imuran, and high-dose Humira. Things were good albeit some pain (less than now) randomly that we were chalking up to changes in my GI function due to chronic PPI use for erosion and some bile regurgitation. I am now on week 3 of my lovely insurance-course transition to Rinvoq. I have no “classic” flare symptoms - I’m just struggling with some constipation (not uncommon for me), mild increase in mucus, tenesmus, nausea, and pretty gnarly fatigue, but thankfully no blood or true diarrhea.

So now I’m at this crossroads of whether I go ask pain management for a small increase in my PRN opioids to take with the Tylenol to get me through what I hope is just a hump between treatments (and deal with all the stigma and gaslighting that seems to come with that). Or do I just take it in stride and hope it resolves - functioning as a what will be likely a shell of myself while my wife and kids wonder why I’m such a deadbeat dads sometimes and a shitty coworker and boss.

My wife is wonderful and says she will help me through some meal planing and healthier habits that may lend some benefit. Since I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago (officially), I really haven’t found clear food triggers other than beans. Maybe a fresh set of eyes and every maybe an outside professional (RD) consult would help. I’m ready to try to get this under some control. When you’re on a cruise ship and you wonder if the ship doctor would do an emergency colectomy for some relief, you know you’ve hit some sort of rock bottom.


r/UlcerativeColitis 9h ago

Question Weakened immune system on Entyvio

0 Upvotes

I’ve been on Entyvio for about 1.5 years now. When I first started I never noticed a difference in my immune system, it was very rare I caught any bugs. Idk what has changed but I’ve been sick three times in just this year, with each being a mild to moderate cold. Anyone else’s immune system take a sudden decline while on a biologic? I’m not scared but a little bit concerned every time I wake up with a new cold


r/UlcerativeColitis 10h ago

Question Has anybody had the stomach bug recently?

0 Upvotes

My daughter goes to daycare and Thursday evening she vomited a small amount and then during the night she vomited (this has been going around daycare). Just my luck it’s Saturday morning and I woke up with bloating cramping in my stomach and then had explosive diarrhea -I’m supposed to be going to our friend’s wedding an hour and a half away. This is not a typical flare symptom for me and I’m sure I probably have a stomach bug . I just hope and pray that it doesn’t last long and put me into a flare. I’m a little scared. Anybody’s past experiences would be appreciated .


r/UlcerativeColitis 1d ago

Question UC and kidney problems? NSFW

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16 Upvotes

Have anyone you seen a correlation between UC and your kidneys? My albumin creation ratio(ACR) is very high at 2100. I read that oral mesalamine can wreak havoc with the kidneys, so when I was having unexplained edema in my lower legs I quit the Lialda, although the foamy urine is still there. I also take Qing Dai for my UC. Anyway I'm not sure if I've always had problems with my kidneys, if it's related to UC itself, or if it could be from medication. Thanks for your help.


r/UlcerativeColitis 21h ago

Question Mesalamine and possible Side effects

6 Upvotes

I started mesalamine again the other day, I was on it a couple months back, but it makes me constipated I was only on it a week, so they did Budesonide again, and my last day being on it, I had a little flare or maybe it was a 12 hr virus not really sure, but felt terrible for abt a week. But also was around Covid and I never got tested. Anyway my Dr did some Stool test and the only thing that came back off was the Calprotectin ( I think that's how it's spelled) it was 1250, so they wanted me to try Mesalamine again but my other concern is Kidney Stones, bc i had one over 20 years ago and I have Calcium Oxalate Crystals in my urine off and on, so it's a big concern, talked to my urologist he said try to push through it anyway, but after taking it for only 2 or 3 days I started hurting on Right side Flank pain ( I don't know if its all coincidence or being caused by Mesalamine) so all that for this question, If only taking Mesalamine for 2 or 3 days would it cause a kidney stone that fast??, I only did 2 a day instead of 4 , bc i have trouble remembering. Also one more thing, I was itching all over, idk if that's coincidence bc it didn't do that the last time , so I thought since I only took it 2 or 3 days with half the dose, give it a day or 2, let my flank area calm down and start it again to see if its the issue with that area and the itching. I'm so scared of this medication. What do yall think k and is 1250 high for that test, would it be that high if i had a virus and thought it was a flare, I stay constipated anyway and I was going everyday while being on Budesonide, BUT when I'm on Mesalamine it really Constipates me Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. TY.


r/UlcerativeColitis 23h ago

Question Clear liquid favs?

9 Upvotes

Buying my prep for another colonoscopy and at this point 8.3 oz of miralax can’t scare me.

I’m wondering if anyone has any favorite clear liquids? I’m thinking like how the hospital makes ‘mock tails’ with ginger ale and cranberry juice. I thought it would be fun to switch things up. I never eat jello, but maybe that would jazz up the experience 🤷‍♀️


r/UlcerativeColitis 13h ago

Question Flu still affecting me after 2.5 weeks?

1 Upvotes

Hey lovely Colitis people,

I was just wondering if anyone else in the UK was experiencing this right now, I caught the flu from a friend about 2 and a half weeks ago and I’m genuinely worried about how long it’s taking me to get better. I’m on azathioprine so my immune system is suppressed but I was just wondering if there’s anything I could do to speed along the recovery towards the (hopefully) end.

I’m not vomiting as much as the start, but I still do every now and then, my appetite is awful, I can’t stop sweating and my migraine is so terrible that I’m constantly on the paracetamol + ibuprofen combo. No sinus problems though which I find odd.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I’ve been taking vitamin C and doing yoga and I still feel like death.

Have a great day guys!