Various problems since UC

I was diagnosed with pancolitis in 2012. Since then I really haven't had much digestive trouble (using Pentasa and a limited subset of SCD) but it still seems like something is wrong with me in general.

First is fatigue. Doesn't matter how much I sleep (and I average around 8 hours a night), I always feel tired when I wake up, and I look tired in general.

Then something is up with my hands, especially my right one. I think it's psoriasis. The skin is all dried out but isn't itchy, and it's been like that for at least a year. Sometimes the fingertips crack and bleed a little. The left hand has the same problem to a lesser extent that comes and goes. My phone has a fingerprint reader but it won't even work on my right hand. Moisturizing cream only helps temporarily, same with coal tar (common psoriasis treatment).

And despite being pretty serious about hygiene, I have to apply rubbing alcohol daily to my belly button and butt crack to keep them from getting infected.

I almost never get contagious illnesses, that still seems to be true, but sometimes I am struck by flu-like symptoms that usually last just a day or two. Body aches, chills, sometimes d (but not what I identify as UC d). It feels like flu or a cold but it never progresses to the level of severity I'd expect if it really were that. Once I had something like that going on for several months, and my throat was full of phlegm and I was constantly clearing it, thought I was developing cystic fibrosis or something. But no fever and didn't need to take any time off work.

I didn't have these problems before UC and it's not like I'm getting old (though I feel like that sometimes these days) (I'm 25).

I was wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences? Or success doing something about it?

Post Edited (Lacaille) : 1/24/2017 11:25:52 PM (GMT-7)

Possibly from UC. What medications are you on?

We can get fatigue as a result of anemia (low iron) and that can be related to our UC. You'd need bloodwork to verify.

Fever and nausea are sometimes associated with UC.

We're more prone to have skin issues with UC: dry skin, contact-dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, etc. Especially those of us with more severe UC.

We don't have higher odds of infections but certain UC medications do increase thise odds, if you are on them.

Hi...I would suggest you see a dermatologist for a (hopefully) proper diagnosis.

It could be autoimmune or genetic or allergy driven.

q

For the belly/booty skin: I agree, dry the area well after showers. Also, break open a capsule of probiotics and use the powder in the areas you use the rubbing alcohol. I know it sounds strange but I know a few people with unusual/ similar skin complaints and it helped dramatically.
Like our gut, our skin has its own micro biome. Using rubbing alcohol daily can kill off the good stuff too. Also if you're using it undiluted on such sensitive area it can actually damages for irritate the skin making healing in that area difficult,.... it may also be contributing to hand dryness tho probably less likely and not really the cause of the issue .

For the hands: get a pair of cotton gloves sometime you can find them at drugstores.before bed, Soak the hands in warm water for 10min, then dry them well and coat the hands thickly with oil. I would personally use olive or coconut or ghee, but even Vaseline and/or neosporin would do. Put the gloves on over the oil and go to bed. You could add some tea tree oil to the oil you put on your hands too if you want. Do that a few nights in a row and it should help you get a jump on the dryness. You may need to do that process a couple night a week after that tho especially if the underlying cause is systemic. Basically symptomatic relief, but likely helpful nonetheless
Again, probably won't cure them as the root cause is probably not a lack of oiling them up.

I agree tho that you should see a doc for some tests. Hopefully you find some answers and in the meantime, hopefully you can find some relief

Good luck!!!