Intro:
My name is Brittany and I’m 21 from Charlotte, NC. I’ve been battling Ulcerative Colitis for 5 years. I’m in college and I’ve found that it is much harder to focus on school and getting good grades when you are super sick all the time. I try not to let it beat me so I enjoy playing bingo, fishing, riding four-wheelers, and singing. I hope one day I will have enough energy and money to travel the world.
Symptoms:
Pancolitis. Asacol and 6MP. Hair is falling out… and it’s so not cool. Migraines. Dehydration. Flaring for 1 year now, hopefully it will stop soon!
My Story:
UC has definitely changed my life. I was diagnosed at 16 after I had severe bleeding and cramps. I had a colonoscopy and they discovered I have pancolitis. I weighed 120 at the time of diagnosis and being on steroids for most of that time I’ve gained over 80lbs. I work out daily and eat decent but my body is having trouble breaking down fat and steroids make me gain weight. I hope this changes soon. I also hate the fact that my hair keeps falling out, it makes me feel so unattractive as a young woman. I was engaged and my fiance left me and told me the reason was that he could not handle that I was always in and out of the hospital and he would rather be with a completely “healthy” woman. It’s extremely hard knowing that my disease is holding me back from being in a relationship and I truly hope that changes soon because with every year that passes, I honestly feel like I’m going to end up alone.
I like my doctor, but I don’t love him. I sometimes wonder if I was misdiagnosed or if he even knows what I’m talking about half the time and FYI my doctor doesn’t check my butt all the time, thank you prompt. =p
My family is supportive but my parents worry about me way more than I worry about myself. My dad and mom pray for me every night and they often call my grandmother to pray too. I know it’s hard on them just like it is hard on me.
All of this being said, I know others have worse colitis. Mine is off and on but it is a very painful and unfair disease. I really hope through this website I can meet people who can actually relate to me.
Where I’d Like to be in 1 Year:
I would LOVE to be in South Africa living out my dream of working with HIV AND AIDS orphans. I’ve been there before and it is the most amazing country on the planet.
If that isn’t possible, I want to be in NC trying to help families in need. I want to be in REMISSION and in a relationship where they can actually handle the stress of my disease.
Colitis Medications:
written by Brittany
My name is Brittany and I’m 21 from Charlotte, NC. I’ve been batteling UC for 5 years. I’m in college and I’ve found that it is much harder to focus on school and getting good grades when you are super sick all the time. I try not to let it beat me so I enjoy playing bingo, fishing, riding fourwheelers, and singing. I hope one day I will have enough energy and money to travel the world.
