I Might Have Ulcerative Colitis, not Sure Yet
Hey everyone, I’m in my early 30s and I am not sure if I have UC. For over a year now I’ve been having bloody stools, severe cramping, loose stools, fatigue, swollen joints, among other things. Sometimes I feel like I have the flu and I can barely function. I get headaches too and I noticed that I seem to not be tolerating foods that never bothered me before.
Anyway, over 3 yrs ago I started having other symptoms but just ignored them. I realized later on that grains, soy and dairy were giving me problems. So I eliminated them from my diet. I was fine for some time and then started having symptoms again(though the stomachaches never really went away completely). Last year I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy at the same time to see what’s causing the symptoms, especially the bleeding and constant loose stools. The Dr said he didn’t see anything. This year, I seem to have taken for the worse. More foods are bothering me. I see blood more often now and the stomachaches are much worse. The nausea is worse, plus now I also have severe indigestion and heartburn. I’m at a loss.
2 months ago I moved to a new GI because I wasn’t really happy with the one that did my colonoscopy (long story). I like the new GI, she seems to listen better and is open to different ideas. She doesn’t want me to have another colonoscopy, rather she wants me to have a CATscan. I feel like that should be the last resort right? Has anyone had a CATSCAN here to rule out UC or Crohn’s? I’m worried that the contrast I’m drinking will make me even more sick to my stomach. I can’t do the IV contrast because I’m allergic to shellfish. I’m so confused but I just want to know what’s wrong with me so I can move on. I’m exhausted of being sick. I have a 3 year old and I want to be able to enjoy my child without being hampered by not feeling well everyday.
I’m familiar with GAPS and SCD. I have both books. I’ve attempted SCD last year but my resolve was so weak. I fell into temptation around Thanksgiving. Christmas was even worse. Family was around and the constant eye rolls and snide remarks hurt my resolve, I gave in to the pressure, mainly because I was just so hungry and because I’m weak! After Christmas I was ill with pneumonia and was on antibiotics and Prednisone. I cheated on the diet even more. I was so stressed and couldn’t fall asleep because of the Prednisone. I seriously felt like an addict waiting for my next hit. I can’t sleep, rocked constantly, I was jittery, angry, grumpy and just plain horrible. After the dose of both medications were finished, I was okay for a week or so and then it hit me. The most horrible cramping began, followed with more blood and loose stools, swollen joints, nausea, etc. I felt weak and fatigued and flu-like. I just feel like the last round of medications cured the pneumonia but then made my stomach condition worse.
A stool test was done last week to look for parasites. It was negative. My bloodwork was fine except for low MCV (microcytosis). I have alpha-Thalassemia so I figured that was normal for me, though it’s really not normal.
I apologize that this is long, I’m still trying to find answers. I don’t know what to do except to get the CATSCAN and do GAPS. I thought I’ll do GAPS this time and really, really stick to it(no holidays looming right?). I’m just frustrated and at the end of my rope.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate any advice you can give me. I’m desperate. Do you think the CATSCAN will find Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s? I need answers.
story submitted by: ScarlettOHara
I’m grain, soy and dairy-free.
