Introduction:
Hi Everyone!! My name is Jennifer I’m 29. I have an amazing husband of 5 years. No children yet :( I work as a registered nurse at a very busy hospital. I’m from New Jersey. I was diagnosed with UC when I was 10 years old. I have had this disease for a LONG time now!
My Symptoms:
Everyday symptoms are 1-3 times a day with normal to loose stools sometimes with blood and mucus, extreme fatigue and joint pains.
My Colitis Story:
Having UC for the last 19 years has been challenging at times. I have been able to live a semi normal life with this disease. In the beginning it was difficult because I was so young and scared. I would have to get up and go to the bathroom in the middle of classes several times a day. Finally the symptoms calmed down to just BM’s in the morning. I was able to attend school and graduate college. While in college I would have mini flare ups. Just lots of diarrhea when I was stressed out about an exam. My doc would put my on steroid enemas and that helped.
My husband and I like to travel. We have been on a few vacations. When I go away I always have to watch what I eat. Dairy makes me have diarrhea almost right away. So I bring lactaid enzyme and that helps.
I love my gastro doc, he is great and always answers my questions and concerns. I have been seeing him for the last 8 years. I hate that I have to get a colonoscopy every 2-3 years!!!!
My dream has always been to have children.
So after being married for 5 years we finally got pregnant. Then at 9 1/2 weeks I had a miscarriage. Which I have to get a D&C tomorrow. My question/concern is can Lialda harm a pregnancy? My GI doc says its safe to take but I really want to get your feedback. Has anyone taken this med and gotten pregnant? Has anyone taken this med and had a healthy baby?? Does having this disease affect a pregnancy? I was told that having UC does not affect a woman’s chance of getting pregnant. My doc even told me that many people go into remission when they get pregnant. He also said that very few women will have an increase in UC symptoms when prego. I wish I could just get off the medications and that diet alone would help!!!!
Where I’d Like to be in 1 year:
Symptom free!!! I would love to have a baby!!!
Colitis Medications:
I was on Asacol for many years. Then when Lialda came out I was put on that about 5 or 6 years ago. I take 2 tabs of Lilada at night and when I get flare ups my GI doc puts me on Rowasa enemas and cortisone enemas. The enemas help very quickly to clear up symptoms. Also the dreaded steroids, prednisone Ive been on that several times too! I’m not always symptom free however I have not had a bad flare up in a few years. When I get stressed out or have a life changing event I do get a flare up. Lialda overall seems to be keeping my symptoms under control.
written by Jennifer
submitted in the colitis venting area
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Hi Everyone!! My name is Jennifer Im 29. I have an amazing husband of 5 years. No children yet :( I work as a registered nurse at a very busy hospital. I’m from New Jersey. I was diagnosed with UC when I was 10 years old. I have had this disease for a LONG time now!
