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Recently Diagnosed -Need Help- What Happens With Your Job?

Minnesota with Colitis

Polly with her Husband

Introduction:

Hi, I’m Polly. I’m 27. I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. I got married in Sept. 2011, I was diagnosed with UC in Dec. 2011. I was shocked by the diagnosis, as I follow an extremely healthy lifestyle. For my UC, I see a chiropractor who has helped lots of people with UC. He is all about healing the source of the problem (colon), as opposed to just suppressing the symptoms, and not thinking about the future health of the patient as a whole. I am currently in a flare and overwhelmed by the process of applying for a medical leave from my job… and facing the very real possibility of being denied medical leave because I have chosen the path of alternative medicine and whether or not my chiropractor will be accepted by the Leave Administration department as a “licensed physician”. Having a bad day, I am in need of some support and hugs.

My Symptoms:

bloody diarrhea countless times a day, urgency, mucus, fatigue, cramps,
My Story:
My biggest short-term fear: winding up in the hospital.
I’ve been doing lots of research since I was diagnosed. I find that if you search Crohn’s Disease, there is more information available, as opposed to searching for Ulcerative Colitis.
My newest find: Fecal transplants. Interesting topic.My biggest long-term fear: I don’t know what is going to happen with my life as I know it. Up until now, I have traveled extensively internationally (half of my family lives in Brasil). I don’t know what is going to happen with my job… will I have to quit my job?Can my husband and I afford to have me quit my job? Am I going to be forced to take medications that have terrible side-effects? How long will my flare last? (In my research, I see people reporting that flares last anywhere from 18 days to months to years…)My doctor says that flares of UC are ALWAYS caused by either bad food or stress.
I am really curious as to know what happens to other UC’ers during a flare in regard to your jobs?I have been able to work from home for the last 2 weeks, but that grace window seems to be closing now. Did you quit your job? Did you go on medical leave? Was your employer understanding? How long do your flares last?As far as a diet, I have been gluten free since I was diagnosed, plus my doctor has also put me on the “anti-inflammatory” diet. I pretty much buy everything organic, especially dairy. In the USA, they allow crazy hormones and anti-biotics into dairy products, which is why organic dairy is so important. During a flare, he has instructed me to switch to foods with a lower glycemic index, such as sweet potatoes. So during this flare, I have been eating pretty much only organic sweet potatoes and organic hard-boiled eggs. My doctor says soft-boiled is better, but I don’t really care for soft-boiled.

Sending hugs to all.

Where I’d Like to be in 1 Year:
Continuing with probiotics daily, Vitamin D and Fish Oil, in full remission and UC just a distant nightmare…
Colitis Medications I’m Using or Tried:
After my colonoscopy, I took Canasa for about 3 weeks and I have never been so sick in my life.
My doctor (chiropractor) put me on a gluten free diet. (And emphasizes increasing intake of Omega 3 and decreasing Omega 6)
I am taking Probiotics (ProDophilusFOS), Garden of Life Primal Defense, 15,000 IU of Vitamin D, and Fish Oil (5 soft gels a day)

written by Polly

submitted in the Colitis Venting Area
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