Here’s the picture Kristin sent over!
Meet Kristin:
I was diagnosed with UC 15 years ago while pregnant with my 2nd child. I remained on Asacol for a few years, but stopped taking it when symptoms were not present because I wanted to see if there was any holistic approach that would work. Luckily, my UC has remained localized in the sigmoid colon so I have never experienced serious weight loss and absorption problems when experiencing flare ups. I have experienced anemia and the fatigue and depression that go along.
Symptoms of UC:
I am currently experiencing pain in my tailbone and fatigue from the severe anemia. I get a random inflammatory response in the cartilage in the chest area of my rib cage, even though there is no evidence of UC on my bowel activity.
Blood Clots and UC
I was diagnosed with UC 15 years ago while pregnant with my 2nd child. The first 5 years were tough and then I changed my diet by eliminating sugar, processed foods and wheat. The next 9 years included periods of mild flare ups and remission, the sense of urgency always being the biggest pain in my butt. It seemed the more healthy I ate, the less I experienced any symptoms. Soups became my mainstay; coping with the disease actually fueled my desire to learn everything about nutrition and become a great cook.
In November of 2013, I did the CLEAN 21 day cleanse and felt so good I did it again in Feb ’14. It was like I’d never had UC after that! No inflammation anywhere, perfectly beautiful, healthy bowel movements, and energy like I was 25 again! However, after a bicycling accident this past summer left me with a torn rotator cuff that required a cortisone shot, I got a VERY mild flare up. Within a few weeks I was diagnosed with a DVT (blood clot) in my left leg. I was put on aspirin therapy for 8 weeks and bled so much I became dangerously anemic. I went from preparing for 5 Summer triathlons last spring to a puddle of fatigue and depression by October. I had no idea that UC puts us at increased risk for clots. I also found research that links the use of corticosteroids to clotting in people with bleeding disorders.
Wondering if anyone else has experienced a blood clot?
My doctor believes it was the mild flare up that caused it, but the coincidence of the cortisone shot so close makes me think there was a combo effect. I have not taken any meds in 10 years but my doc wants me to begin taking Colazel 3 times a day without future cessation because now that I am 15 years past diagnosis my chances of colon cancer increase. I hate taking meds and wonder if the accident never happened, would I still be doing great?
The mesalamine enemas have worked great and I want to just use them when I am symptomatic as opposed to ingesting meds 3x/day, but my doc thinks constant meds will ward off another clot that could arise if another flare up occurs, regardless of whether it is mild. Any thoughts or personal experience will be appreciated.
Supplements / Medications:
I am a wife and mother to 2 great teenagers and live on a small farm. We grow lots of fruits and veggies and raise chickens for personal egg consumption. I love to exercise (swim, bike, run), cook, read and have big parties. I’m a freak about being healthy and my friends would say I know more about nutrition than most nutritionists.
