Introduction:
My name is Kristen, I am a psychology student majoring in addictions and I love my dog more than anything. I have had UC for 20 years, I was diagnosed at the age of 2. My whole life has been spent working around my disease.
Colitis Symptoms:
My Story:
I have had Ulcerative Colitis for 20 years. I was diagnosed at two years old when my parents looked in the toilet and saw nothing but blood and rushed me to the doctor. My whole life has been spent working around my disease. I have been in and out of the hospital since I was two. I have been asked by a ridiculous amount of people throughout my life if I am anorexic or bulimic because I was so thin. I am distantly tired because anything I eat goes right through me. Nothing stays in my body so I am always hungry, but I hate eating because it causes so much pain. I have colonoscopies 2-3 times a year, no matter how often I do it, it still sucks. I have been on every medication from 5 ASA, prednisone, immuran to remicade. None of which have done anything but cause side effects. Currently I am on Remicade every 6 weeks and immuran twice a day. I cant take any pain killers because they upset my bowels so my dr gave me tramadol, which is great if I don’t gave to do anything all day. Remicade caused my already severe joint pain from colitis to get much worse. This caused me to go on hydro-cortisone at each infusion, which I hopefully dont think does anything. I am now being told my last option is j pouch surgery. I am definitely afraid of the surgery itself, as well as the healing period, taking time off school and work. However I am at the point where I just want it out of me! I have been sick my whole life and I believe the surgery will make my life easier in the end. After all, having UC for 20 years puts me at pretty high risk for colon cancer.
Colitis Medications:
5 ASA helped me for about 4 years when I was alot younger. Eventually it stopped working and I was put on prednisone, immuran…then eventually remicade and cortisone. Remicade caused me alot of problems, made my joint pain I already suffer with UC alot worse. Also causes bad headaches after infusion. Not to mention my veins are crap now.
written by Kristen
submitted in the Colitis Venting Area
My name is Kristen, I am a psychology student majoring in addictions and I love my dog more than anything. I have had UC for 20 years, I was diagnosed at the age of 2. My whole life has been spent working around my disease.
