Colitis-y and Confused

Intro:

Hi I’m Ellie. I’m 18 and from Ireland. I was only diagnosed with UC about 7 months ago when I finally went to the doctor after my nearly 2 years of denial. I’m a university student so getting better and having the time to get better is tough but hopefully I’ll get there.

Some more about me:

God…something interesting? Ehh, I love swimming, does that work? It’s the one kind of sport that I suppose is more relaxing on the body and doesn’t effect my stomach/colon. I do amateur drama and love reading and going to plays as well :)

Symptoms:

It’s bad at the moment. Not as bad as it has been but by no means good. Cramps and going to the bathroom about 5 times a day. But again, working hard to fix it :)

Colitis-y and Confused

I suppose maybe because I’m young I had this whole ‘invincible’ misconception. UC made me realize that I’m really not and that I’m far more fragile than I thought. I get so jealous of my friends and peers who seem to have no cares in the world while I silently battle with my colon. My doctor is lovely and always asks me how I am emotionally and how I am coping but that’s his job and I suppose we know each other quite intimately at this stage, 2 colonoscopies in. As I’m 18 and in university alcohol is a huge part of social life but I have started to realize that the harm it could be causing me due to my UC outweighs any enjoyment from it. Ireland has a drinking culture, we deny it but it’s there and it’s really difficult trying to explain why I don’t want to drink and why I can’t really. The prospect that frightens me the most about colitis is surgery. I was diagnosed young and will have this condition for the rest of my life and I worry that no matter how much I change my lifestyle and focus on my health I won’t be able to escape surgery. My family are quite supportive though. Well, my dad was very ‘Get some fresh air, you’ll be fine’ at first which really upset me because if that was the case why did I have to get a camera up my bum? Eventually though he realised colitis was serious and started to respect it a lot more.

Questions to other UC sufferers:

• Is 18 very young to be diagnosed or is that just the general impression I got?
• Have any of you given up alcohol and how are you finding it?
• Am I being incredibly naïve about surgery by ruling it out already?
• Diet change is really difficult for me at the moment just because I’m always on the go, does anyone have any suggestions on fast healthy food that would sit well?

Medications:

My medication at the moment isn’t great but I have another meeting with my specialist in the next month that hopefully will sort it out.

written by Ellie A

submitted in the colitis venting area