Hopeful but Lost

I started having bloody bowel movements followed by cramping in January 2014. It lasted for longer than 2 weeks. When I saw my doctor, she scheduled me for a sigmoidoscopy. During my procedure, the doctor saw inflammation and proceeded to do a full colonoscopy. About a week into early February, my doctor called me and said “I think you have UC.” She called in a Rx for Balsalazide and sent me on my way. The medicine did not work. It made things worse. I have extreme headaches and I stopped taking it myself. At the next doctor’s appointment, I was told there’s nothing I can do to cure it and I would just have to continue taking the medicine. Early March-New Doctor (Rx for Lialda) worked for 1.5 mths. Still currently bleeding. I want to find a cure.

Some more about me:

Hello, I work in non-profit. I am working on getting my Master’s degree in Pubic Health. I work and live in San Francisco. I love music. I LOVE food. I enjoy working out and doing pilates. I do like to travel and now I just have to be well prepared when traveling!!

Symptoms:

I have the urge to go especially in the mornings. I have bloody bowel movements. I also have LOTS of gas and bloating. During my first “flare” in Jaunary/early February, it lasted about 3-4 weeks.

Hopeful but Lost

I have had digestive issues since I could remember. I cut out dairy and acidic and hot spicy foods a long time ago. When I started feeling my flare, I quit drinking alcohol. I’ve had at least 3 glasses of wine in the past 6 months. I am definitely a huge foodie. I don’t want to label myself as GF,Vegan, Paleo, etc. I just want to eat what I can eat.

I learned that I have an Almond intolerance through a test. So I cut those out :( That was the hardest challenge.

After my “unofficial” diagnosis, I decided to watch my food intake even more. Nothing seems to make a huge difference.

What I take/do to help ease symptoms:
-Drink herb tea (mix of chamomile and mint) 2x/day
-Lialda (4pills 1/x/day)
-Vitamin D3 (once a day)
-L-Glutamine (once d day)
-Ultimate Flora, Critical Colon 80 billin (once a day)

I am starting a 7 day program of Ultimate Flora Probiotics this week.
Still taking Lialda, still bleeding.

Doctors have not been supportive. Basic answer: UC is not curable. I’m so sick of it.

My last GI doctor said he was leaving Kaiser 2 days before his last day. My diagnosis was unresolved when he left. After some tests, the results found no inflammation but he left before I could follow up. Now I have no GI doctor until late August.

I really want to find a specialist but one who believes there is a cure or that I can be in “remission” without having to take meds that don’t technically work. I am open to natural remedies. I have researched tons of them but I want to work with a doctor who knows. My mom is the only person helping me. She is extremely knowledgeable regarding testing and linking correlations between toxins and other symptoms. My friends and family just think I have diarrhea/stomachaches.

Ask Adam:

Do you think food is the biggest culprit of UC? Do people with UC believe that environmental toxins cause it?

written by Rina

submitted in the colitis venting area