Dealing with Colitis as a College Student

Current Colitis Symptoms:

Frequently running to the bathroom, the urge to go hits me very suddenly, diarrhea

Meet Jessica:

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in August 2011. I am currently a freshman in college and hoping to reach remission soon!

Some more about me:

I enjoy photography, watching football (Go Panthers!), and hanging out with my friends, (always near a bathroom of course).

Colitis in College:

I was diagnosed with UC about a year and a half ago, and have yet to reach remission. Colitis has changed my life because no matter what I do I always have to make sure there is a bathroom nearby. I also wake up at least twice during the night to go. It feels like everything I eat goes straight through me so I’m about fifteen pounds underweight. My friends tell me that I’m lucky to be able to eat whatever I want and stay skinny, but I think I look unhealthy. I have had people approach me and ask if I was anorexic, and that definitely hurt a lot.

I almost always have to go after I eat, so if I am doing something (like riding in a car for a long period of time), I just don’t eat. I know it’s not the best solution, but I don’t want to have an accident (which does sometimes happen). My UC prevents me from going out with my friends because I’m worried that I’ll have an accident and embarrass myself. If they’re going somewhere that doesn’t have a bathroom (like a park) I’ll make up an excuse not to go. I’m anxious to find a medicine that works for me because I want to live a normal life where I can be outside and not worry about what building I will run into if I have to go. A big issue for me though is that I’m terrified of doctors.

I hate needles and after having one colonoscopy I don’t want to have another one soon. I guess I’m afraid that if my UC doesn’t get better soon then my doctor will tell me that I need another one. So I basically try to avoid the doctor, even if things are bad (which, again, probably isn’t the best idea). I’m just beginning college and I want to be able to focus more on my school work, and less on finding the bathroom.

Asacol:

I am currently on Asacol but it is not working. I am going back to the doctor soon to ask to try a new medication.

written by Jessica

submitted in the colitis venting area