Embarrassing illnesses

AnnieH

So come on, Surely I can't be the only one. Here i admit to having an embarrassing illness called ulcerative colitis which I don't talk about much
It's quite bad at the moment, and worst of all in embarrassment stakes - I have to take a change of clothing out with me just in case (bit like a 2 year old:()

So what embarrassing illness are you afflicted with? Please "come out" and let's unite in our embarrassment:o

Little_Miss_Saver

Hi AnnieH

I can totally sympathise with you, I have Crohns Disease which luckily at the moment is under control.
I have good and bad days and on bad days will refuse to leave the house for the fear of not being able to get to a toilet in time!!!.
I hope that you can get your symptoms under control and are feeling much better soon.

Take Care
LMS xx

Ted_Hutchinson

I don't know if both the previous posters are aware that these conditions put you in the long term at an increased risk of colon cancer.

When/if you are aware of this increased risk you can do something about it.

You can reduce this risk by ensuring your Vitamin D status remains optimal, above 125 nmol/L.

Details of the link between Colon cancer and Vitamin d though that page was done some years ago now.

There has been a lot more research confirming that thesis such as
Chemopreventive efficacy of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in colon cancer.
and
Associations between vitamin D, vitamin D receptor gene and the androgen receptor gene with colon and rectal cancer.


Vitamin D 'can lower cancer risk' The comments in this last article about the toxicity of More than 2,000 IU/d have been shown to be dangerously misleading as the body uses between 3000 and 5000iu daily, the toxicity issue only applies over 10,000iu/d after over a year of continuous use.

The Vitamin D Council have sources of cheap high strength Cholecalciferol Vit D3 though, come to think of it, an impaired digestive system and the results of UC may mean oral intake of vit d3 is not as effective as it should be, so perhaps, Vitamin D synthesis in the skin may be a more effective route, though as cholecalciferol is fat soluble it would be possible to dilute the capsules in massage oil and massage into the skin, that is if safe sunbathing isn't possible see SUNLIGHT ROBBERY: for safe sunexposure advice.

AnnieH

Hi Little miss Saver - Oh it's nice to have someone else who understands LOL! I have been struggling to work when I want to curl up and die as I save my sick days for when my kids are ill and off school, as I get paid if I'm sick but not if I have time off when the kids are poorly.

My girls (8 and 6) asked me if I was pregnant again tonight!:eek:
How long have you had Crohn's?

AnnieH

Thanks ted - i wasn't aware of the vitamin D info. I have been told that my increased risk is still very low, so that's something. I did hear that you should take aspirin to reduce this risk even further, but as far as I am aware, I can't take aspirin - or ibuprofen.

Ted_Hutchinson

AnnieH wrote: »

Thanks ted - i wasn't aware of the vitamin D info. I have been told that my increased risk is still very low, so that's something. I did hear that you should take aspirin to reduce this risk even further, but as far as I am aware, I can't take aspirin - or ibuprofen.

Yes only 1% of bowel cancers are due to UC but if you can reduce that risk by 50% together with a 50% reduction in the risk of Breast cancer and some 15 other deadly cancers, then it makes sense. Altogether taking Vit d at an effective level for 4 years has been shown to reduce cancer incidence in total by 60%. We have to wait till June for this to be published but as it's twice the impact smoking has on cancer it's something to take seriously.
One day the UK medical profession will wake up to the fact that most of the population of Vit d insufficient most of the time.

AnnieH

Thanks I shall take your advice.
BTW, you do seem to be very knowledgable - are you a doctor?

Ted_Hutchinson

AnnieH wrote: »

Thanks I shall take your advice.
BTW, you do seem to be very knowledgable - are you a doctor?

I don't give advice I simply post links to the latest Vitamin D research and articles that explain that research. I have no medical training or qualifications. In order to find a way of alleviating my own progressive deterioration, resulting from the late effects of childhood polio, I came across INFLAMMATION and PPS By Marcia Falconer, PhD and investigating natural anti-inflammatory agents investigated omega 3 initially and then found out(through another poster here) about the role of Vitamin D3 in immune response.

You will have heard Food watchdog backs folic acid in bread

Mandatory fortification of grain products with folic acid in North America since 1998 has led to a significant reduction in neural tube defect incidence.

Why does it take so long for UK doctors to understand and apply new research findings here?

We know that Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in the general population was alarmingly high during the winter and spring, which warrants action at a population level rather than at a risk group level. but given the UK doctors track record at reacting to new information it will be at least 10 yrs before the penny drops here.

An estimate of cancer mortality rate reductions in Europe and the US with 1,000 IU of oral vitamin D per day.

Solar ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiance and/or vitamin D have been found inversely correlated with incidence, mortality, and/or survival rates for breast, colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancer and Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Evidence is emerging that more than 17 different types of cancer are likely to be vitamin D-sensitive. A recent meta-analysis concluded that 1,000 IU of oral vitamin D per day is associated with a 50% reduction in colorectal cancer incidence. Using this value, as well as the findings in a multifactorial ecologic study of cancer mortality rates in the US, estimates for reductions in risk of vitamin D-sensitive cancer mortality rates were made for 1,000 IU/day. These estimates, along with annual average serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, were used to estimate the reduction in cancer mortality rates in several Western European and North American countries that would result from intake of 1,000 IU/day of vitamin D. It was estimated that reductions could be 7% for males and 9% for females in the US and 14% for males and 20% for females in Western European countries below 59 degrees. It is proposed that increased fortification of food and increased availability of supplements could help increase vitamin D intake and could augment small increases in production of vitamin D from solar UVB irradiance. Providing 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day for all adult Americans would cost about $1 billion; the expected benefits for cancer would be in the range of $16-25 billion in addition to other health benefits of vitamin D.

Little_Miss_Saver

Hi AnnieH

I've had Crohns 10 years now, I've had 2 resections to my colon and have been told that I have another narrowing in my bowel which will eventually require further surgery, I'm currently managing my symptoms with a low residue diet as like yourself get really bloated if I eat anything with fibre in.

I'm sorry to hear that your not well at the moment as I can totally understand how you must be feeling and I sincerely hope you are much better soon.

I'm a member of NACC and I find there quarterly newsletters really informative.

How long have you had UC? If you prefer you can PM me.

Take Care

LMS xx

Nicki

Another UC sufferer. It is a real pain isn't it! I have a permanent stock of immodium on stand by, though it doesn't solve the problem completely during an attack but makes life a bit more tolerable.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

melancholly

i used to suffer very badly from IBS - at one point i needed to be within a 20 second sprint of a toilet........ horrific! and (obviously) there was one (well more, but one that sticks in my mind for various other reasons including the company and the location!!!) notable occasion when i wasn't............... but i don't like to remember that often lol

i can only laugh beacuse changing my diet has almost removed the symptoms completely - dealing with something like UC daily must be very difficult but i can truely empathise with needing a change of clothes. hope things become more manageable for you as soon as possible.