Late summer of 1982 I suddenly started having frequent diarrhea. I saw a gastroenterologist, Dr. Z., and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. For the first year I was on Azulfidine, Hydrocortisone and Immodium. I responded pretty well at first and for most of the first year my symptoms were under control.
By August of 1983 my symptoms were coming back more frequently. Dr. Z. switched me to Azulfidine, Prednisone and Immodium. The second year on meds was a rollercoaster. My symptoms came and went depending on how much Prednisone I was taking. The idea was that I would reduce the dosage of Prednisone until I got off of it completely. That never happened. When the dosage was high, my symptoms went away. As the dosage was lower my symptoms came back. That continued for a year until the symptoms were persistent enough that I was hospitalized in August of 1984.
I had surgery for a total procto colectomy followed 10 months later by surgery to construct a K-pouch ileostomy. I haven't had surgery or medication for ulcerative colitis since then.
Today Dr. W., as well as my nutritionist, J., think the achalasia and ulcerative colitis have the same underlying cause which is chronic inflammation. I told J. that I thought that made sense but until this came up I thought the whole ulcerative colitis episode was behind me. J. said "it's back, you've had a long honeymoon"
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