I go by how I feel, how much pain, and my b.m.'s. If I see blood I consider it severe and go to the doctor.

If I am functional without and not worried about embarrassing myself in public (breaking wind, belching a lot, or looking for a bathroom) I feel I am at a mild point.

If I do not feel like doing anything, just listless, belching, farting, and slightly cramping, but still functional, then I am at moderate.

When it is severe I do not want to move. I hurt. I feel the need to be no more than 25 feet from a bathroom whether I am constipated or have diarrhea. I actually WANT to see a doctor. If I am at a point where I see a doctor I am bad off.

This is something you sorta learn with time and experience.

This is just my opinion. I am curious as to how others measure it and I am looking forward to others answers. I have had u.c./crohn's for 20 years and the combination may make a difference in how symptoms show themselves.

I see you also have both. Between this website and time, I have learned to tell which is acting up, the crohn's or the colitis. The CD seems to always be present, although mild most of the time while the UC only really flares up every few years. I always start hurting really bad all through my tummy and passing blood with the UC.

BTW, Happy Birthday. Hope it is/was a good one. (not sure about the time zone)

u are right we are back by 8 minuts but let me tell u . u are third to say happybirth day .
next to by cousine and brother , hope this is year will be nice for me.
wish that
thak u verhy much for the replay

for years I have had to go strictly by my symptoms but even they can be deceiving at times. My doctor will tell me how good I'm doing because she looks at the bigger picture of how I have improved over the last few years but I look at how much I'm still having to run for the bathroom and still unable to work or do as much as others. I have had to be put on a feeding tube as well so I have to go day by day,

I'm completely the same as tiredoldgal. If I give up and go to a doctor, then it's only because I'm REALLY bad! I usually need surgery!
a good day for me is one where I just live normally - maybe a bit of pain or nausea, but I do stuff and enjoy my family.
Mainly I have "moderate" days where I feel a bit ill, a bit sick and some
pain.
What meds are you on at the moment? Do you have anything to keep you in remission? Do you have healthcare or do you have to buy meds?

hi susy

no i do not have medical care ,the only medication availabe for me is steroid , hard yea ? i know but i do not have choise ,
after surery i am in remmission thanks God.