Darren Fletcher - Extended Break From Football

[Crennis]

BBC says Darren Fletcher is to take an extended break from footie due to colitis.

I don't really know much about it but when Piercy retired I thought they gave the impression it's incurable.

 

[Norman Potting]

I think that it is very unpleasant as we know someone with a young daughter who is afflicted. Don't know/never met the guy but wish him well.

 

[Mellotron]

Also know someone with Colitis and it has affected their life quite badly.

 

[Gritt23]

A friend of mine suffered for many years, and was always just amazed that Piercy could ever get fit enough to play.

 

[kano]

poor bastard...always said he looked ill

 

[seagullsslimjim]

I have suffered from Ulcerative Colitis for 22 years and its a sure life changer.

110,000 odd tablets to date and body patched up and bruises like a peach and bleed easily etc...Bruises don't disappear and so brown shins.

Fletchers sure is unlucky and i just work in an office . its a very tiring illness and don't fancy a bag so will stick with the medication till the end.

Its meant to hit 1 in 650 people but i know of 2 people who had it.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

BBC says Darren Fletcher is to take an extended break from footie due to colitis.

I don't really know much about it but when Piercy retired I thought they gave the impression it's incurable.

I'll never forget Piercy trying his damnedest to come out and hold it together at Withdean for that final game he played for us. Really felt for the lad. Must have been excruciating. In the end we were all screaming for him to be taken off due to his obvious distress. Took the bench forever to do so though.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

After seeing that Dispatches documentary I cannot help but be a little suspicious when a player is out for an extended period and for reasons like this. I know it's wrong.

 

[Stat Brother]

After seeing that Dispatches documentary I cannot help but be a little suspicious when a player is out for an extended period and for reasons like this. I know it's wrong.

It is, but understandable.
I guess the nature of the suspected illness, goes some way validating it.

 

[ArcticBlue]

After seeing that Dispatches documentary I cannot help but be a little suspicious when a player is out for an extended period and for reasons like this. I know it's wrong.

I have not seen the doc but I remember Lee Sharpe had "glandular fever" one season back in the 90's. I was later told by someone with connections to manure that he had a ridiculous coke habit.

 

[Stat Brother]

I have not seen the doc but I remember Lee Sharpe had "glandular fever" one season back in the 90's. I was later told by someone with connections to manure that he had a ridiculous coke habit.

And to think he hid is so well.

 

[ArcticBlue]

And to think he hid is so well.

I know, you just wouldn't believe it.

 

[DIFFBROOK]

I have ulcerative colitis. From when I was diagnosed and for 8 years after I was ill time and time again. As its a bowel problem, its is very debilitating illness what with having to go to the loo often and the fatigue that brings. I was on the standard kind of medicine and even though symptoms come and go even when I thought I was well I was never 100%.

That is until I had a very bad relapse and the usual tablets (Steroids etc) didn't work. I was then put on a newish type of drug that for the past 7 years has really helped me. Its not a cure and its not something that I will be able to take forever, but boy no relapses and I feel 100%.

I wonder if Darren Fletcher has tried this, as he would be able to take it for the remaining years of his career?

 

[Pot noodles for everyone]

After seeing that Dispatches documentary I cannot help but be a little suspicious when a player is out for an extended period and for reasons like this. I know it's wrong.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

Lee Sharpe caught meningitis, did he not?

 

[beefypigeon]

I have chrones disease which is a similar condition to ulcerative colitis (both being inflammatory bowel diseases), and it isn't easy. It stopped me playing football at a high level, as I was at Brighton centre of excellence from when I was aged 8 - 10, and was diagnosed with chrones at 12 and they told me I had had the disease for a few years. Stunted my growth considerably and didn't have the energy to play, which is most likely why he is struggling - he doesn't have the energy.

It is not a curable disease, but can be controlled. I've been on all sorts of drugs, and last year it came to the point where no drugs were sorting it for me and I had an operation to remove the infected area. I was told it wouldn't come back for a good few years at the least but I had a relapse about 6 months afterwards and I'm trying to get on more stable medication at the moment other than the standard steroids. Whilst these work, they are not a long-term solution.

Feel for the guy. The nature of the disease means that when you get a flare-up, its pretty horrible. However as it flares up and down you can feel fine one day and then terrible the next. It may be a pretty long time til we see Darren Fletcher back playing football, lets hope the doctors can find a way of controlling it so he can get back to fitness.

 

[seagullsslimjim]

Diffbrook - so whats the newish medication you've been on for the last 7 years?

 

[Johnny Crumplin Football]

Diffbrook - so whats the newish medication you've been on for the last 7 years?

I was wondering the same thing. Have had my worst relapse yet and the roids and Remicade are not working that well

 

[beefypigeon]

I've been on new medication since about May, and I have never been so well. However I do have chron's not colitis!

The medication I've gone on is called Humira/ Adalimumab (or as I like to call it... Adam El Abd).

 

[Stevie Boy]

Lee Sharpe caught meningitis, did he not?

Yes Bof, it was viral meningitis, i was a huge Sharpe fan back then, read his book, yes he liked to party and people did suspect it was drugs,