I am 20, and was just recently diagnosed with ulcerative colitis about a month and a half ago although I’ve been having symptoms since November 2010.
I went to see my doctor after a week of bleeding, but all he had to say was that it was very common and to come back if it got worse. I went back three weeks later with more symptoms. He sent me to get blood tests done, but nothing showed up. Finally two months later, my doctor refers me to another doctor to have a colonoscopy done, but I had to wait another month and a half to have it done. After six months of waiting they finally told me that I had UC. I was told it was really bad. They prescribed me with prednisone and Asacol. I had never been able to swallow pills before though, so I took my weeks worth of prednisone and that was all I needed. There was no blood after only a few days of taking the prednisone! I haven’t had a flare up since. I don’t eat any gluten or dairy products. I also stay away from spicy foods and alcohol, and I do take a few supplements here and there. I rarely drink anything other than water. I’m not saying I completely stay away from these foods. I have eaten some junk food, just not very often. I also have to be very careful of what I eat because I had a very bad overgrowth of yeast in my body. My yeast level was above 30 when it should be somewhere closer to 8 or 9. I had it back down to 15 about a month ago, but still have a little ways to go.
On another note, I would not advise anyone to take prednisone for long periods of time. Even just a week of taking prednisone affected my liver. I am still taking supplements to cleanse it out.
I’ve lost 10lbs since I started getting symptoms. I’m 5’3 and weigh 105lbs. I haven’t been able to gain any back, but haven’t lost anymore since I’ve been diagnosed. I’m still a little worried that I might lose more in the future. I never needed to lose it in the first place. That’s what worries me most.
Just out of curiosity, when you say that you’re in remission, does that mean of all symptoms? Or do some of them never go away?
I know most people say there is no cause, only possible factors, but I’m pretty sure if I would’ve changed my diet a couple months before I started getting symptoms, I could’ve never gotten them at all. Let me know your opinion!
Thanks,
Rachelle :)
