Intro:
Hi everyone! I’m 26 years old and was diagnosed with UC on February 16th of this year. I am a student of Shotokan Karate, and am currently a brown belt working toward my black (hopefully this year!).
Story:
First of all, let me say that I am SO encouraged by everyone’s individual stories. My condition, I don’t think, is as severe as a lot of others here, but this whole being diagnosed with UC is still new, frustrating and slightly scary. With that said, I am sorry to all you who are suffering more severely. I hope that everyone out there finds the right treatment and goes into remission ASAP.
So, here’s my story…
Just after New Year’s I started having Ulcerative Colitis symptoms (though, I didn’t know what UC was at the time). After about a month of it, I finally decided to see a doctor. She decided it was IBS and gave me some antibiotics. Two weeks later, after getting worse,
I went BACK to the doctor where they ran several tests and told me that they were going to send me to a GI immediately for a colonoscopy… I had the very same response many others have had… ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?
You all know how the prep for a colonoscopy goes (clear liquid diet, colon cleanse stuff, sleepless night on toilet, etc.)… but mine was a bit different. They gave me that MoviPrep garbage and unfortunately I was unable to keep it down. I called the on-call doctor who told me to go get a $2 bottle of some laxative called Magnesium Citrate after about 3 hours of TRYING to keep the MoviPrep down.
So, the colonoscopy went as most do, I’m sure and the GI told me that she’d narrowed it down to Crohn’s or Ulcerative Colitis and gave me some brochures to read until the results came back (a week later).
Two days after that, both my GI and my GP wanted to do bloodwork, so I killed two birds with one stone, and had my GP fax my results to my GI. After getting stuck with a needle for the 7th time that week (I HAVE A HORRIBLE FEAR OF NEEDLES), my GP told me that my blood count had dropped 6 points since Monday and that she was going to schedule me for a blood transfusion the next day (on VALENTINE’S DAY WEEKEND!). My immediate response was shock and fear. So, I walked out to my car, called my boyfriend and had a complete nervous breakdown. I am so thankful that he is such a strong man who took everything that I dished out (yelling, sobbing, cursing, etc.). He calmly responded by saying, “Darling, I’m going with you. I’ll be holding your hand the whole time. Everything’s gonna be ok.” And it was. It actually wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be (though, I STILL HATE NEEDLES).
I got my test results a week later informing me that I have UC. My doctor put me on some medications (listed below) and I’m currently waiting to go into remission. The doctor tells me that I can’t work out in my karate classes too hard for a while (FRUSTRATION), but I can ease back into it. I have seen some improvement. I feel stronger. I’m only having one bowel movement a day (as opposed to 8)… though, I am still seeing some blood (which is frustrating), but I suppose that because there is improvement I am getting better… are there any words of encouragement out there about still seeing blood? HA! I feel very strange asking that question.
Medications:
Prednisone 20mgs x 4 a day… currently tapering. Evil, but miraculous drug.
Balsalazide (the off-brand of Colazal) – HORSE PILLS x 3 a day.
I love life.
I have one goldfish: Giselle. One Shubunkin goldfish: Dumbledore. And Dave and I have two fish named Dunder and Mifflin. I have a Ragdoll cat named Mr. Darcy (who is two).
I love karate. I am currently a brown belt and am working hard to attain black belt (hopefully by the end of the year). I’m getting ready for a competition in April. Due to health issues, I’ve been set back a couple of months, but I’m working my way back up and hope to be better than before! For the past two years I’ve gotten second place and this year’s goal is FIRST place.
I’ve recently been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and am currently battling a flare up. Once that’s under control, it’s possible for me to go into remission (even permanently). It’s been a hard and trying time in life, but the Lord is faithful and I am confident that I will lead a normal life, as UC is very treatable.
I have an amazing boyfriend named Dave. He has been a true blessing. He is strong, valiant, resilient, patient, loving, kind, friendly, compassionate, understanding, faithful, etc., etc.
I love my family and friends. They have been amazing prayer warriors and supporters
Last, but certainly not least, I love Jesus… who is my rock, my salvation, and my strength. He has blessed me more than I deserve and I am eternally grateful.
