Thanks for checking in! :)

I am now a week on the prednisone and asacol. Pain is starting to fade, at the cost of some side effects. Mild irritability, increased appetite and Insomnia have hit, but I am finding ways to manage with it. I am instructed to consult with the doctor weekly and provide a progress report via phone or in person to let him know how things are going. My doc is the director of the GI department at the hospital and also heads up a university's GI program so he seems to be well informed and on top of things for me, thankfully.

I have been managing my anxiety via medication and therapy for a few years now and finally have it in control to a point where I do not take anymore meds except for xanax in emergencies. I do not believe in taking more meds than I actually need so for the time being, I wear myself down with exercise during the day to help me wind down a bit in the evening. I am also practicing self care at the moment: meditation, incorporating clean eating into my diet (which I started about a month before this diagnosis) among other things. If things get worse, I will consider asking the doctors for additional meds to help but for now I seem to be coping.

I just have to thank you for your positive attitude. You were diagnosed and have started to listen to music, Meditating and Excersising through the ups!

It is so refreshing to have a new member who is so positive! I can learn so much through your attitude!

Seens like you are off to a good start. Make sure if you can not sleep ask for some meds to help for sleep. That will help you reduse your stress levels. Hopefully you will go into remission and you can eat and exercise to maintain your weight without any problems. Take care.

Ashley, I agree. I'm so happy to see a newly diagnosed person with a game plan for finding ways to manage all that comes with this diagnosis.

We don't have to positive all the time; that's a tall order and not sustainable and not even realistic. But we also don't have to assume our worlds are coming to an end and panic when we get this diagnosis. We just have to adjust your thinking, how we want to move forward in the world, and how we want to see ourselves living with IBD.

I always feel like, when I have a game plan and strategies for my UC, I am more resolved and stronger, with the disease and just in life in general.

Once of my favorite lines is from a Black Crowes song: "I've been down but never on my knees." I feel that way about many aspects of my life, including UC.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and show of support. I am glad you all could find some positivity and inspiration from this post.

I guess I have always been the "panic first, rationalize after" type of person. I think in this case it is justified because I knew little to nothing of the disease at diagnosis.

Typically once the initial anxiety/panic fades in a situation, I instinctively become proactive in researching and problem-solving. I can't just let a problem fester for too long or I go crazy. That's the approach I seem to have taken with this CD situation.

Still have mixed emotions about this, but the only choice I have is to make sure that I am living comfortably with it to the best of my ability I guess.