Bio:
34 year old married father of 3 who I adore. I have had some sort of issue or another with poo since I was Diagonosed with Ulcerative Proctosigmoiditis in June 2011.
Symptoms:
Current symptoms: A little blood, loose stool, mucous, and major urge in the morning. No diarrhea. Going anywhere from 4 to 7 times a day, but limited only to the a.m. right after I wake up.
My Story:
Was diagnosed with Colitis in the summer of 2011 after all the usual symptoms–blood, diarrhea, mucous, bloat and pain. Currently taking 4 lialda pills in the morning, rowasa enema at night, and an over the counter probiotic. After the first colonoscopy, I was put on Lialda and I went into remission fairly quick for a couple of months. Then I caught a cold and my grandmother died and the symptoms came back. 4 months later, I achieved a “shaky” remission at best for another couple of months with just Lialda. Now, here I am battling an upper respiratory infection in another flare–the roller coaster continues. I don’t want to take antibiotics for fear of making my condition worse.
I live a fairly stressful life as I am the sole bread winner of my family working in sales. I have had anxiety issues all my life and I notice that I tend to flare up when their is a major stressful event in my life–job promotions, having to move to another state–making more money, or I get sick. I consider myself lucky as I have never had to confine myself to the bathroom all day, I have never been hospitalized and I normally have my “problems” first thing in the morning when everyone else is still asleep, but those 1 to 2 hours in the morning are scary as hell. However, once everything is cleared out, I am totally fine throughout the rest of the day–it disappears. When morning comes, the cycle is repeated. Is anyone else like this? I can’t imagine what some people go through with 40 to 50 times a day. I swear, this is one fickle disease. My doctor is considering putting me on 6mp or Remicade and I say hell no! I have read about those side effects. He takes the normal stance–diet and stress don’t have anything to do with this disease and then takes his cattle prod and marches me out of the office to make way for the next patient.
He recently put me on a mesalamine enema at night, but I don’t know if it’s working–it’s hard to keep it in and in the morning have this gross discharge and gas. It almost seems like my colon is more angry. The stool looks better and there is less blood and mucous, so I don’t know. I have only been on it 5 days and I hear that it is better to attack this disease from both ends. Besides, I don’t think the lialda was reaching all the way down (the last 8 to 10 inches is all that is affected). I have taken the hydrocortisone enemas in the past and after a while it just made it worse–no more of those! I have modified my diet a bit–no diet soda, I watch my bread intake and no sweets–that seems to help. I am considering going on the SCD full time. The mental aspect of this thing is tough–probably more difficult than dealing with the symptoms. I worry about the disease getting out of control and becoming a burden to my family. Not being able t o take care of them is a big fear.
My brother in law had severe colitis and eventually had to have his entire colon removed. My wife and I watched him go through hell, but he now has his life back. He says it was the best thing he ever did because he isn’t sick anymore. Don’t think I haven’t had those thoughts run through my head even though his condition and mine are night and day.
Well, I have rambled long enough. I am one of the luckier ones if there is such a thing, but it is hard to be 34 years old and worry about shitting your pants. All insight is welcome and it is nice knowing that I am not alone. Anyone have a suggestion for a natural supplement for anxiety???
Where I’d Like to Be in 1 Year:
Mesalamine enema
written by Dallas
34 year old married father of 3 who I adore. I have had some sort of issue or another with poo since I was Diagonosed with Ulcerative Proctosigmoiditis in June 2011.
