If it's not treatable, then surely this means it's almost a retirement announcement, no? 
Poor Fletch.
Poor Fletch.Darren Fletcher's break from football
- Thread starter Maciej
- Start date
i'm wondering if there is a link, my mum and I have IBS too and often asked myself if somehow we passed it down to my son.
However as awful as IBS is ( I've always said people take normal bowels for granted ) and I've had it for years, UC and Crohns must be a thousand times worse
Darren Fletcher will come to rely on renowned energy and strength during trying times | Herald Scotland
Great article about Fletcher, talk about unlucky with injuries, broke the same metersal multiple times!
Great article about Fletcher, talk about unlucky with injuries, broke the same metersal multiple times!
Just because the club has admitted to calling it a "virus" to protect Fletcher doesn't mean that this was always the case. Reading about this illness it can take quite a while to diagnose, so I'd think there's a decent possibility that the club actually did think it was "just" some sort of virus for the first few months, possibly till the end of summer. As he got progressively better towards the end of last season they might not have realised how serious it was before he couldn't join the pre-season tour when the symptoms had gotten worse.
I'm sure someone with more knowledge of the disease can say whether this is a plausible theory.
Full article: Darren Fletcher will come to rely on renowned energy and strength during trying times | Herald Scotland
The one you linked is a mobile version and when I opened it I only got to read the first few paragraphs.
There is a genetic link - it is just not clear how 'strong' it is. If you have IBS/UC in the family, your children are more likely to get it, but it is by no means definite that they will.
Well, I'm unsure if we'll ever see Fletch in a United-shirt again, after reading about the disease. Terrible stuff really.
I'm sure the club thought he was going to come good when he signed the contract extension in the summer, 100 % sure. No club would sign an extension with a player if it knew he would, later that year, take an extended break from football due to permanent illness.
I'm sure the club thought he was going to come good when he signed the contract extension in the summer, 100 % sure. No club would sign an extension with a player if it knew he would, later that year, take an extended break from football due to permanent illness.
You're right to a degree ..... but again, its like looking for a needle in a haystack and based upon a whole load of ifs and buts.
I went through all this reading and investigation when I had UC. Its such a baffling condition .... medical science knows how to keep it at bay to an extent, and in my case when it goes nuts, to completely get rid of it, but the medical field still has no conclusive proven reasons as to why it occurs and indeed if it can be a catalyst or building block for something else like Cancer.
My case was 8 years ago and whilst techniques to manage and cure have vastly improved, Im very surprised from my reading of the past 36 hours that medical science is no closer to diagnosing cause and future implications.
The joys of medical science eh? It's a bit like reading a Psychiatry textbook and realising we haven't a clue how the brain works and why anti-psychotics work.
This is not only plausible, Im certain its what happened. If you read Fitz's post a few pages back about his son's case, you will notice that it took doctors many many months to finally conclude that his son was suffering from UC. I would imagine, putting all the pieces together, that is what Fletcher has gone through.
Likewise, even if the club did know about it, the likelihood that flare-ups become so debilitating it takes over your life is still rare, the majority of UC sufferers have mild symptoms that come and go, say once a year. And when it on, its easily manageable for most.
It sounds like Fletcher has been very unlucky, like me, and so needs time out of the game to get this thing sorted once and for all.
I work in the marketing industry and so am sometimes involved in the origination of product claims that have to be approved by the FDA or other relevant bodies.
Say Im advertising the benefits of a deodorant:
I can never ever say
- 'deodorant x will stop you from sweating for 12 hours'.
What I can say is
- 'deodorant x may help you control sweat for upto 12 hours'
You will notice the massive difference between the two sentences .... through word play, I can effectively make the same claim within advertising.
Medical claims will be far more stringent and exacting than claims for a deodorant! My point is all the reading I have done on UC contains non conclusive language like the latter example rather than definitive language like the first example. And like you say, our understanding of medical science today is still like a 35% completed jigsaw, with gaping holes in every section of the picture!
All the best to one of my favourite players!!!
But this is the guy who has fought tooth and nail every time he has pulled on the jersey, never moaning, always playing for the pride in his club or country....................if anyone can/deserves to beat this, it is Fletch. To coin a saying from the bloody 'Pool. Fletch, you will never walk alone son.
But this is the guy who has fought tooth and nail every time he has pulled on the jersey, never moaning, always playing for the pride in his club or country....................if anyone can/deserves to beat this, it is Fletch. To coin a saying from the bloody 'Pool. Fletch, you will never walk alone son.
You're an incredible bore
Full article: Darren Fletcher will come to rely on renowned energy and strength during trying times | Herald Scotland
The one you linked is a mobile version and when I opened it I only got to read the first few paragraphs.
Cheers, I'm posting from my phone so links are all in mobile, didn't realise it would affect normal reading for others
I think you're right about the time issue - it can take months and months . Tbh Akexander being diagnosed was more luck than judgement . Had it not been for the fact that I was a Radiogropher who had been taught by Radiologists in barium sessions that generally blood in the stool was either carcinoma or UC/Crohns , I would have never pushed for the colonoscopy which showed it up - mainly in distal colon which meant the steroid enemas I had to give him had far less surface to treat . Maybe that's why he was lucky enough to get over it . To this day, I still ask him how his bottom is!!
Sir Steve Redgrave has offered his support to Darren Fletcher after the midfielder was revealed to be a fellow ulcerative colitis sufferer.
The Manchester United star is taking an extended break from football to try to recover from the rare bowel condition.
Five-time Olympic gold medallist Redgrave was diagnosed in 1992 and has spoken to Fletcher on the phone.
"At least he knows somebody else in the sports world has gone through it," Redgrave told BBC Radio's Sportsweek.
"In some ways you feel very isolated when you have a problem that drags on for a long period of time. You feel you are the only person in that situation.
"I gave him my advice as somebody who has had the condition and dealt with it in sport. I have given him my number so he can contact me if ever he needs someone to talk to."
United revealed on Tuesday that Fletcher had accepted medical advice to take a break after trying to play through the serious abdominal problem.
But his hopes of making a return to the playing field may be lifted by the experience of Redgrave, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 10 weeks before winning gold at the Barcelona Olympics and went on to clinch his fourth and fifth golds at the 1996 and 2000 Games.
"I competed through the Barcelona Games with the condition," said Redgrave. "It took a number of weeks to be diagnosed, but because I was lucky enough to just about continue training, my fitness wasn't too badly affected.
"If you are fit in the first place you have a better chance of getting back to fitness once the condition is under control.
"But it's a very difficult condition to live with. The bowel is very sore, very inflamed, and you lose a lot of blood.
Redgrave has suffered from ulcerative colitis for 19 years
"I still live with it now and take medication on a daily basis to keep it under control."
Redgrave said his wife Ann had also spoken to Fletcher because she was the team doctor to the Great Britain rowing team when Redgrave was diagnosed.
"He seemed relatively positive," added Redgrave. "It is a condition he has been struggling with for quite a while. He and club doctor have kept it to themselves for a period of time but now they feel it is time to go public."
Redgrave did not want to speculate on Fletcher's chances of making a full recovery from a condition which can vary in severity and can require surgery to remove the bowel.
"It is treatable but everyone is different in how they respond to the treatment involved," said Redgrave.
"I know of people who have had surgery and it has really set them back a long way, but I've seen people bounce back very quickly. We are only guessing and what's the point of guessing.
FLETCHER'S CAREER
Age: 27
Man Utd appearances: 300
Man Utd goals: 22
Scotland appearances: 58
Scotland goals: 7
Honours: 4 Premier League titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), 1 FA Cup (2004), 2 League Cups (2006, 2010), 1 Champions League (2008), 1 World Club Cup (2008)
Debut: v Basel, 12 March, 2003 (Champions League second group stage)
Most recent game: v Benfica, 22 November, 2011 (Champions League group stage)
The Manchester United star is taking an extended break from football to try to recover from the rare bowel condition.
Five-time Olympic gold medallist Redgrave was diagnosed in 1992 and has spoken to Fletcher on the phone.
"At least he knows somebody else in the sports world has gone through it," Redgrave told BBC Radio's Sportsweek.
"In some ways you feel very isolated when you have a problem that drags on for a long period of time. You feel you are the only person in that situation.
"I gave him my advice as somebody who has had the condition and dealt with it in sport. I have given him my number so he can contact me if ever he needs someone to talk to."
United revealed on Tuesday that Fletcher had accepted medical advice to take a break after trying to play through the serious abdominal problem.
But his hopes of making a return to the playing field may be lifted by the experience of Redgrave, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 10 weeks before winning gold at the Barcelona Olympics and went on to clinch his fourth and fifth golds at the 1996 and 2000 Games.
"I competed through the Barcelona Games with the condition," said Redgrave. "It took a number of weeks to be diagnosed, but because I was lucky enough to just about continue training, my fitness wasn't too badly affected.
"If you are fit in the first place you have a better chance of getting back to fitness once the condition is under control.
"But it's a very difficult condition to live with. The bowel is very sore, very inflamed, and you lose a lot of blood.
Redgrave has suffered from ulcerative colitis for 19 years
"I still live with it now and take medication on a daily basis to keep it under control."
Redgrave said his wife Ann had also spoken to Fletcher because she was the team doctor to the Great Britain rowing team when Redgrave was diagnosed.
"He seemed relatively positive," added Redgrave. "It is a condition he has been struggling with for quite a while. He and club doctor have kept it to themselves for a period of time but now they feel it is time to go public."
Redgrave did not want to speculate on Fletcher's chances of making a full recovery from a condition which can vary in severity and can require surgery to remove the bowel.
"It is treatable but everyone is different in how they respond to the treatment involved," said Redgrave.
"I know of people who have had surgery and it has really set them back a long way, but I've seen people bounce back very quickly. We are only guessing and what's the point of guessing.
FLETCHER'S CAREER
Age: 27
Man Utd appearances: 300
Man Utd goals: 22
Scotland appearances: 58
Scotland goals: 7
Honours: 4 Premier League titles (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), 1 FA Cup (2004), 2 League Cups (2006, 2010), 1 Champions League (2008), 1 World Club Cup (2008)
Debut: v Basel, 12 March, 2003 (Champions League second group stage)
Most recent game: v Benfica, 22 November, 2011 (Champions League group stage)
i wrote to him and the club and got a personal reply from Fletcher too
He's had it for nearly four years, according to Craig Levein.
This doesnt look good at all. His head must be wrecked. Onwards & upwards for him in health & life!
What did you say, and what did he say?
can you shed any light on this?
a gist of what he said would be nice
Yes indeed. A nice gesture from Fletch (and from Sammsky, I might add).
He's put in some major performances for us in the last 4 years, much respect to Fletch for that, makes him missing Rome '09 all the more painful for me.
I wonder what sort of player he would have became without this
He's put in some major performances for us in the last 4 years, much respect to Fletch for that, makes him missing Rome '09 all the more painful for me.
Not only has he put in some major performances in that time, he's produced what has probably been his very best football in that time. He was able to fight his way into the first team, while having this condition.
Typical of Fletch really, playing despite having an injury. His off the field conduct is first class.
MOgdenTelegraph
Darren Fletcher's bowel condition to be reasessed in 4 months, opening (slim) possibility of a return this season.. #mufc
Darren Fletcher's bowel condition to be reasessed in 4 months, opening (slim) possibility of a return this season.. #mufc
I'll be surprised if he features this season. If it's to be reassessed in 4 months, that will take us to May, and the season will be ending.
And if he's just resting he would be in nowhere near the physical shape to play this season.
Great attitude, I hope it pays off for him, he would deserve it.
That was also from Levein
Levein said: “He (Fletcher) is out for four months’ complete rest and then we can reassess things.
“I’d be desperately hoping to have him for the qualifiers.”
Levein also revealed that Fletcher has endured a long-term battle with colitis, stretching back to his early twenties.
He said: “He has had this for nearly four years now, he’s been pushing himself, and he’s really suffering it this time.
“He desperately wants to play. He’s just a fantastic example of fortitude and desire.”
Levein said: “He (Fletcher) is out for four months’ complete rest and then we can reassess things.
“I’d be desperately hoping to have him for the qualifiers.”
Levein also revealed that Fletcher has endured a long-term battle with colitis, stretching back to his early twenties.
He said: “He has had this for nearly four years now, he’s been pushing himself, and he’s really suffering it this time.
“He desperately wants to play. He’s just a fantastic example of fortitude and desire.”
Would prefer to keep it private between he and I ... confidentiality etc.
But the gist of it is that I explained to him, in intimate detail, the trials and tribulations I went through when I suffered from the condition (which I have also shared, in part, in this thread, some recommendations on doctors, surgery procedure options and surgeons. Most importantly, I stressed to him that I am living evidence that one can had fully recovered within a year and believed he could do too and resume his career with us. Of course I also told him how highly I rated him as a player and gave him this thread link to read the well wishes.
He wrote back quite a lengthy reply, of course thanking me for writing, saying that he felt alot of strength from reading the thread and that he was determined to overcome UC like I did. He then asked lots of questions about UC, which I have then also replied too. We agreed to stay in touch as things develop for him and he said to look him up should I find myself at OT in the future (unlikely as I live between London & Asia)
I wont say anything else on any continued discussion - hope you all understand his right to privacy.
so Daren fecking Fletcher wants to see you when you're in Manchester? Wow, man. I envy you.
Fletch reads the Caf? Thanks for that Sammsky, nice of you to share that and Fletch sounds like a top bloke.
thanks
you made us proud samms...cheers.
When I saw Fletch in training two summers ago, he was very conspicuously training separate from the squad. Someone said he had the flu, but I remember thinking how odd it was. The club have concealed it well.
That makes Fletchers form even more impressive over the past 4 years. He was one of our most important players for two years during that time