Last month I wrote that I was a bit frustrated because I'd been having stomach achiness and my stool had become worse. I wondered whether I should consider a medication change. I said I would wait and see what the next two weeks would bring.
Well, the next two weeks were fine. As a matter of a fact, I am stating now that my ulcerative colitis seems to be in remission. I haven't had a calprotectin test (test for inflammation markers in stool) in a long time, but based on my lack of symptoms, I would call it remission. My urgency has even improved this last month, and surprisingly, my stool has become better just this week. (Not normal yet.)
There was something health related that was unexpected. About three weeks ago, I had my first eye appointment in twelve years. (I know, bad.) For the most part, my aging eyes are in good shape . . . except for one thing.
I am developing cataracts. I may be over sixty years old, but I am way too young for that. The eye doctor said that steroids can cause cataracts and that is what he thinks happened. I asked him if I should not take prednisone again, and he said that if the steroids helped my UC, I should absolutely keep taking them when needed. He said fixing cataracts is easier than treating UC.
At home, I went on the internet to research steroids and cataracts. Steroids CAN cause cataracts, but usually only if a person is on higher doses for long periods of time. That was not the case for me. I've been on several rounds of prednisone, but only the first round was 40 mg a day, for two weeks. The other rounds started at either 20 mg or 10 mg for only a week before tapering.
However, I also read that if you had LASIK surgery, you have a higher chance of developing cataracts nine to fifteen years sooner than you otherwise would have. As I had LASIK surgery around 23 years ago, I think that is more likely what happened with me, although maybe the prednisone helped it along. (I had not heard that LASIK surgery might give you cataracts sooner, but even if I had, I still would have had the surgery. It was SO worth not having to wear glasses or contacts all these years!)
But, the good news is, at least for now (big eye roll because my health seems to always be changing), my UC is doing well.
Next update: August 2025, A New Symptom of . . . Something
Previous update: July 2025, And The Roller Coaster Continues
© Colitis Senioritis 2025
Posts
