Hey UC’ers of the World,
It’s Adam here reporting live from my bathroom in Berkeley, CA.
I know that some of you may have noticed a bit of a change with the website over the past week, and yes indeed, you are right, a few format changes due to an uninvited guest (virus) of the website. But nothing to crazy.
What’s Going on with You Colitis Peoples?
I know that for quite a few of you who follow the website and who are subscribed to the newsletter that the past few weeks and months have been really hard considering worsening ulcerative colitis symptoms. I know that feeling all too well. And yes indeed, its just about the worse part of this disease when you see your symptoms slowly getting worse. Especially if you have been trying different medications that you and your family’s are hoping will bring the nasty bleeding to an end. But, please, realize that for everyone here, bad colitis symptoms, and the fatigue, and other symptoms that come along with UC do eventually come to an end. Your lives will for sure move on eventually.
One thing’s for certain, this website is here as a resource and an online spot for all of you to share your stories, and hear back from fellow UC’ers who are also struggling and in many cases finding out strategies to deal with, treat, and move on past life with bad UC symptoms. I’m always so happy to see the comments that you all leave on other people’s stories, and the genuine support that Colitis People have for each other. I hope it continues all the way through 2011 and beyond.
What’s New with Good Old Adam?
Well, a few weeks ago, I was involved in an interview by the guy who runs the website: www.tips4running.com. Actually, there is a post you are welcomed to read with some on and off topic writing about my experiences and life before and during ulcerative colitis. It’s located here: http://www.tips4running.com/running-with-uc.html
In terms of my own life, as many of you know, I still follow very strictly the SCD diet(details are here: feb162019ihaveuc.mystagingwebsite.com/the-diet), and I think I’m now going on a 6 or 7 month string of really great symptom free months. I’ve put back all my weight, and I recently joined the CAL Berkeley Gym. Yes, I know I’m not a college student anymore(that was 10 years ago) but my wife is a student, so the rates were great to join for me as a “spouse”. So, back to pumping iron and working out is getting into the schedule. My main goal is to get in shape, and put on some more muscle. But I think another main goal is to prove that just because I’m now in my 30’s, and I don’t look nearly as fit as I did 10 years ago, it’s still entirely possible to get back into good health, even with ulcerative colitis. I’ll keep you posted on that. Maybe even shoot a quick video from the gym, might have to go undercover for that though…
Also, I’m starting to do some running, the Las Vegas Half marathon is getting closer and closer, it comes up in December, and I’m super pumped for that.
Lastly, I was emailing with a gastro doctor a few days ago who completed a study on the average healthcare associated with Ulcerative Colitis per patient each year. I was shocked to see the numbers- $5066 per year per colitis patient! Wow, that’s a lot of money. And pharmaceutical claims were 27% of those numbers too. That’s some big numbers, but I guess I’m not surprised. When I was very sick with UC two years ago, I can remember blowing through my health insurance deductible the first month of the year.
And Finally:
The “Colitis Writing Contest” is coming to a close at the end of the month. There have been hundreds of stories submitted so far, and I’m super excited to see who the winner will be. As you may remember, the story with the most “unique visitors” since January 2011 will be the winner of the $250 prize. I should be able to have that figured out just about 1 or 2 days into October. I’ll let you all know so we can congratulate the winner too.
To close out this months update, I want to re-iterate on something that isn’t commonly talked about in the Gastro doctor’s office. Stress. I really feel that much of my success with keeping my colitis symptoms in remission is directly related to stress reduction over the past several months. Many of you have already read my story on “Ulcerative Colitis and Stress” and if you haven’t you might want to check it out. If you can find small ways to reduce “stressful” parts of your lifestyle, it very well may help you heal your colon too.
Thanks for being part of the website, I really enjoy posting your stories from the “Colitis Venting Area”, and have a great September. (If you haven’t joined the newsletter yet, you can do so below)
-Adam
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.
