Flares are one of the most hated parts of life for ulcerative colitis patients, but they are nearly inevitable so we just can’t avoid them completely. Below is a very long list of stories centered around different people from around the world living with UC who are in the middle of a flare. Some of the stories include solutions on how to get out of these situations and others are looking for answers. Read the stories and the comments to gain a full understanding of what its like to have active UC symptoms.
Intro: My name is Heather and I’m 28 years old. I live near Detroit, Michigan and I was diagnosed with UC in 2008. The most important thing in my life (next to family) is my running. I recently became a sponsored athlete but unlike most runners, I have a huge challenge with keeping my UC at bay so I can stay healthy enough to train.… Read More »Struggling Athlete Seeks Advice
Introduction: I’m a 31 male living in northern NJ who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis back in 2007. I am happily married and have a 1 year old son who is a joy in my life. I am a database analyst in a semi stressful environment. I play hockey, ski and enjoy many other outdoor activities. Current Colitis Symptoms: My worse symptoms are the uncontrollable… Read More »Day to Day Struggles of Ulcerative Colitis
Intro: Dx: Proctitis 1998, Pancolitis in 2009. GI verbally called it Crohn’s in 1998 because of family history but I recently found out that he never actually put anything except “mild Proctitis” in my chart. I went without insurance from early 2000s until 2009 where ER visit for pain and bleeding and subsequent colonoscopy showed “Pancolitis most consistent with Ulcerative Colitis”. Current Symptoms I’m Having:… Read More »You’ve Probably Heard It All Before…
Introduction: My name is Tiffany. I am a 25-year-old middle-school math teacher. I am Mormon (LDS), and recently married (December 2011). I like reading, hiking/camping, and spending time with my family. Symptoms: Pain a few times a day (my intestines feel like they’re burning) but there’s no urgency to go, pain in my rectum (I have external and I think internal hemorrhoids), blood at the… Read More »Pain…is it a Flare, or Something Else? And is Surgery Worth It?
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… Read More »What is Going on Feels Like I Got a Fist Up There!