When I see blood in my poop, that for me means ulcerative colitis. And like most good things, the 8 months of pretty much symptom free living has finally come to a close. Good old colitis man seems to have found a way to make it back into the old colon.
But, before I go into my personal story, I wanted to make another video, something a bit different as you might have noticed, and also give an update on how things are going with the website/blog slash whatever you want to call it.
So, from my point of view, I think the website has become a little bit of a success. There are several people from all over the world(which I think is so COOL) who have all shared personal stories about dealing with ulcerative colitis. Most importantly, its crazy to see just how similar most people’s concerns are with this strange form of “inflammation” in the colon. Another amazing thing is how average ordinary people can come together to offer inside personal experience stories about their colitis with others. And of course the goal being to help others get through tough times where symptoms are flaring or just getting out of control. So without rambling too much longer, thanks to everyone who has helped out with sharing ideas and stories on the website. I know it may not sound like a big deal to you, but whether you are sick or well, your insight into the colitis disease is trully very valuable to other people.
Ulcerative Colitis is all around the world. It’s not just in Memphis, Tennesse, or London, or New York, or Norman Oklahoma, its everywhere. Finland, Brazil, Nigeria, Russia, Canada, Japan, everywhere. But, not everything is the same. Take for example an email I received a few months back from someone who lives over 1 1/2 hours by bus to the nearest hospital/medical facility. Can you imagine that? I sure can’t. But here is the point. If you are a long way away from any doctors, information about ulcerative colitis can still be relatively easy to find. And for many of these people, somehow this website has made it to them. To me, that’s pretty cool. So thanks to everyone again, whether you’ve written a post, or a comment, that’s something that is super appreciated by others in the ulcerative colitis world.
What’s new with the site: Well, for one thing, there is now great information coming to the site from people who no longer have their colon. That’s right, and there are quite of few in that group out there. Jamie for example is getting into writing about her stories pre and post colon surgery.(Thanks Jamie)
Also, I’ve realized that instead of knowing 100% of what there is to know about UC, I probably know about .0001%. So, against my wife’s constant request for me to stop pecking away at the computer, and making stupid colitis videos every once in a while, I have decided to continue with the site. I hope you will be around for what is to come too.
My current colitis symptoms:
So here is the deal. About a week ago, I started noticing that I was going to the bathroom way more than my usual 1 or 2 times per day. It was probably 3-4 times instead. And, at about this time last week, I started to notice that I was having some joint pains in my shoulder and upper arms, much like I had after my Humira injections a year prior. This was strange, but nothing raised any major flags. I have been medication free since October, and pretty much symptom free since the end of August 2009. Of course the occasional soft stool or two or three in a row, but no bleeding. So today, I did my morning bathroom break and I noticed dark red blood mixed into the poop. So instead of washing it out of my memory, I told my wife earlier today what was going on. Also, I have been feeling some strange feelings in my stomach area for a few days now. Almost like the feeling you have when your stomach is growling because it is hungry, but you know you are not hungry. To me, these are classic signs of some more than usual active colitis in the old colon. So, there you have it. My streak of going just great ended on May 11, 2010. Very very mild right now, but I would guess active colitis none the less.
What am I going to do?:
Right now, absolutely nothing. I plan on cutting out my daily or twice daily coffee, and seeing if things get better. I don’t plan on calling my GI doctor(I am yet to do a single doctor visit this year, and don’t want to blow my streak on this just yet) and I surely don’t want to have a doctor go in for a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy just yet either. And, if you were wondering, I also don’t want to be prescribed prednisone right now. It was great to finish that drug in October, and it would be great to stay away from them for a while longer.
If you would like to post a story, you can do so on the right hand side, there is a small narrow form you can write in, and it will go on the site. Thanks to all, and to all a banana muffin(wife is just about to pull a dozen out of the oven right now)
I started site shortly after being diagnosed in October of 2008 with severe pancolitis (when my whole colon was inflamed).
For me, it was a very rough start with severe symptoms. Getting bounced from medication to medication was not easy or too helpful. But, I did meet another UC’er, changes several parts of my diet, and of course the rest is history.
Leave a comment, ask a question, take advantage of our past experiences here, use the search boxes, they are your friends to0:)
I’ve written 2 different ulcerative colitis ebooks, you can check them out here.
And, the Free eNewsletter, which has important updates can be joined here.
