Introduction:

I’m 32 years old. I have a beautiful daughter. I am married to a wonderful man and I just found that I have colitis.

My Colitis Story:

My symptoms started showing up at the end of July 2011 this was when after I got back from a family trip in Mexico. The symptoms were abdominal pain, nausea and vomitting, going to the bathroom frequently and pooping blood. I couldn’t eat, I lost weight, and just felt very, very weak. Family doctor said it’s just a virus that a got from Mexico and so the Dr. prescribed me with Antibiotic. A week after taking my antibiotic my symptoms got worst, but I was still hoping to get better from the Antibiotic.
One night I told my husband to take me to the hospital, I was so weak that I couldn’t hold a glass of water! turned out my hemoglobin was sitting at 40. (supposed to be at 135?) I lost a lot of blood over the weeks and I had 4 bags of blood transfusion done on me! While I was at the hospital a group of GI team doctors was also looking after me. They did a lot of test on me and also colonoscopy to see what my bowels look like, sure enough my bowels were really inflamed. GI doctor told me that i have colitis. I was confused and angry at the same time. They give me hydrocortisone for a few days while I was in the hospital. I didn’t really like the side effects that gave me. I was getting depressed. I never thought that this could happened to me. Prior to all of this, I was very active – I went gym regulary, eat healthy food and I joined couple marathon.
So the hydrocortisone that they gave me didn’t work on me. I was still pooping blood and still get on/off symptoms, the other alternative I was told was to go on Remicade treatment. So I did that. The Remicade treatment seems to be working for me right now. I am schedule for another Remicade treatment in 2 weeks time. I’m still adjusting and learning about Colitis and taking pills is sometimes could be overwhelming for me. One thing that I hear about this is that, this thing can come back at you at any time and that scares me but I am trying to stay positive. :)

My Ulcerative Colitis Medications:

Hydrocortisone (- didn’t work- bad side effects)
Remicade (seems to be okay- schedule for 2nd time)
Potassium drinks
Novo-Prednisone (5mg- I take 6 tablets a day -for now)
Mesalamine ( 1.2gm- I take 3 tablets a day- this are big pills!)
Calcium
Vitamins
Side effects with all this pills: I get dizzy, shaky, muscle sore, sometimes nausea, headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hair loss, but hopefully -it’ll get better!

Submitted by “Rosie” in the Colitis Venting Area

Please leave write Rosie a comment below!