Hi Carol,
The best thing to have is here is patience. I started down this
same path you are about to go on 6 months ago. What works for some
people does not work for others. The drug treatments take time to
work. Some take up to 4 months to do their thing. I am on the
fourth drug regimen at this point and it is showing signs of
working, but I am largely still controlling the diarrhea with diet,
immodium and prednisone. Yet, I understand from many people who
also suffer from these diseases that things do get better.

I would also advise you to join the crohns and colitis foundation.
They run support groups throughout the country. As much as your
significant other tries to understand what you are going through,
the best support comes from others who also suffer from the
disease.

Hang in there and best of luck getting through the next few months.
I do hope the standard drug regimen works for you. They started me
off on Asacol, which made things worse. I was switched to Colazaal
which also made things worse. Then to Entrocort which gave me
rashes. Now I am on 6 MP which I am told is a wonder drug.
however, it can take 4 months to work.
--- In crohns_n_colitis@yahoogroups.com, "scottishcarola"
<scottishcarola@y...> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> I have just been diagnosed with UC after seeing a specialist at
the
> hospital and had a sigmoidoscopy. I am now awaiting a colonoscopy
to
> see the extend of the disease.
>
> I have been reading the posts here and I realise I am lucky as my
> flare-up (which is the first severe one I have ever had) is now
> settling down nicely. I am concerned that the specialist has told
me
> that after the colonoscopy they will put me on daily medication.
I
> feel at the moment that we don't know which way the disease is
going
> to go with me, and I may never again have another severe flare-
up. I
> feel that the side effects of taking permanent medication might
not
> be worth it when put against the risk. Any comments about the
> medication pros and cons would be helpful in helping me to
decide. I
> know I will be able to talk this over with the doctor, but I would
> rather the opinion of other people who take medication and are
> suffering from this disease.
>
> I am also worried about the colonoscopy as a friend of mine had
one
> and said that it hurt.
>
> Anyway it is great to find this group as all this is new to me and
> having the opinion of other people who know how you feel, and all
the
> comments and hints, will I am sure be a great help to me.
>
> Regards
> Carol