Introduction:
Hi I am a 38 year old Mom to two boys 11 and 13. After spending an awful week in hospital I was diagnosed at 35 with UC. The GI Doc told me I’d be sick and on drugs for the rest of my life and eventually I’d need surgery. I said “Can’t I heal my body?”. He basically laughed at me. I tried “his way” for a month and said “NO MORE”. The drugs made me sicker with side effects like anorexia, depression and anxiety… and those were the mild ones! Anyhow, I ditched the GI doctors and see a Chiro/DO who is humble and caring and makes me feel like I will live a normal life again when I re-balance everything in my system. I follow a gluten-free diet and I just eat real food and good fats… I avoid sugar, coffee (sadly) and STRESS (my biggest issue). UC is constantly teaching me to be my best person, to ask for help, to have compassion and lots of gratitude. But seriously- it TOTALLY sucks at times! I love being active and being in nature with my kids but sometimes UC robs me of these pleasures.
My Symptoms:
I am having my first flare-up.. it’s been about 3 weeks but about 3 months in the making.
My Story:
I graduated college in May (with a B.S. in Biology). It was hard work but well worth it, well, until I quickly figured out I couldn’t find a job. I spent 3 months straight on career sites, sending out 100’s of resumes and I really let the stress build up! STRESS= FLARE UP! I forgot to keep doing yoga and journaling and meditating and instead stored all that stress in my body. Duh Allison!
So, I am focused on my health (because that’s really the root of everything in my life) and what UC forces us to do. Just trying to relax.
My boys have been quite scared but really helpful and wonderful. They will make great nurturers one day. I’ve had blood, mucous and TERRIBLE painful (like childbirth) constipation. Yeah- I almost never have diarrhea! I am a tall, skinny chick to start so I look
Any thoughts on remedies?
Trying to not get too down. In the last 2 1/2 years I lost my business, my savings and my independence (my kids and I moved in with my Mom). Trying to have gratitude for the things I do have but it is tough when you feel like complete WASTE 90% of the day. I feel guilty that I can’t focus as much attention as I’d like on my kids. I get angry that UC consumes my life sometimes. I get jealous of other peoples health (just being honest). I miss morning coffee because it reminds me that I am not a “normal” person. I wonder sometimes if I am being punished. I get mad at my body for failing me. Geez- does this really have to be 300 words. I’m getting too “dark” here. Thanks for listening. These blogs make me feel less alone and less isolated. Normal people can’t really ever understand.
Where I’d like to be in 1 year:
I will have a great job, living in a great town in a sweet little home of my own with my kids and cats. I’ll be feeling WONDERFUL and healthy. I’ll be active and managing my stress and not worrying about where the closest restroom is!
Colitis Medications:
No meds for me…
Try to eat clean, avoid gluten, sugar, uncultured dairy and coffee
I take digestive enzymes and a supplement powder with (aloe, MSM and some amino acids)
written by Allison
submitted in the colitis venting area
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Hi I am a 38 year old Mom to two boys 11 and 13. After spending an awful week in hospital I was diagnosed at 35 with UC. The GI Doc told me I’d be sick and on drugs for the rest of my life and eventually I’d need surgery.
