Introduction:
I am a 46 yr old woman from England. I have two wonderful grown up children and a understanding husband. I was first diagnosed with U C in 1992. in 1999 I lost my father at the age of 54 with bowel cancer. I had a severe flare in 2000, I was in the hospital 3 weeks or more. My doctor at the time put me on steroids also a strong tablet they use for people with cancer (sorry cant remember the name). Had a bad reaction to the tablet and they talked about removing my bowel but felt I should try some different meds so was on Asacol. Took months before the bleeding stopped. Had a follow up appointment with a different consultant who said why not try smoking again which i did and what do you know, the symptoms disappeared. I was back to normal and somehow came out of the medical system. Got on with my life until now, 12 years later have found out after bleeding again I should never have come off the medications and have been told I have pan-colitis and have to see consultant every 2 months.
Symptoms:
Well after the shock that I still have this horrible disease and that it now effects the whole of my colon it has now decided to to effect my joints also I have calcium and vitamin D defect. I have been working full-time for the last 10 yrs in a job but now its affecting me. How can i stop feeling so tired and the joint pain is getting me down. Reading other U C ‘ers symptoms here is mine: every morning rush to the loo. Stomach feels like its on fire and sore and sorry to say feel I have a fist up my backside all the time!!! But for me its feeling i have no energy, feel weak and i feel like an old woman. I have always been a fighter in life and been dealt with a hell lot of bad luck due to numerous bereavements of family and friends and other stresses and pulled through but this is beginning to drag me down. I’m currently awaiting another colonoscopy and awaiting scans as well.
Feels Like I Have A Fist Up There:
My current doctor has assured me I will be monitored very closely but feel this is not only taking over my colon but my life. I was always active and never sat still for more than 5 minutes, I used to roller skate and enjoyed the outdoors and always out socializing. Now I am struggling to get through a week at work and have to rest on days off !!!
And that’s without a flare !
In the back of my mind is what happened to my dad and also his dad who also died of colon cancer. I am feeling scared and want to be around to see my son and daughter marry have kids etc. I know there is a lot of people worse off then me and i try to stay positive about life but don’t want UC to drag me down. I have amazing people around me but they don’t really understand how it feels that’s why i joined this group. I am the sort of person who is always giving others advice and doing things for others which i enjoy. I get pretty frustrated when I have to give in to this and rest and have to get my husband to do things for me. I would like to know if anyone else feels like me. I am lucky that I am not constantly on the loo but that’s probably why I get up so early to allow me to clear out !! Then get ready for work. I work in the cosmetics business as an account manager standing for 8 hrs a day, never in ten years have been off sick. I DON’T WANT TO GIVE UP WORK but i am struggling to get through each day putting on a brave face. I feel scared that if I have another flare, I wont be able to carry on fighting on as I have done in the past.
Where I’d like to be in 1 year:
written by Debbie
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I am a 46 yr old woman from England.I have two wonderful grown up children and a understanding husband.I was first diagnosed with U C in 1992.
