New UC’er

Intro:

My name is Brandy Kummerow and I am 28 years old. I am recently married to my best friend. I have 2 children ages 6 and 9. I am a certified caregiver and currently care for adults with physical and mental disabilities. My twitter URL is http://www.twitter.com/MuellerBrandy and my Facebook URL is http://www.facebook.com/brandysmueller

Some more about Brandy:

My family and I are huge outdoor enthusiasts. We love going fishing, hiking and camping. When we are all together our life is an adventure and I don’t let my UC get in the way of that. In my quiet time I love to crochet blankets. It relaxes me after working a 12 hour shift.

My family and I are from a small north central town in Wisconsin. Nothing really special around here besides deer season and drinking.

Symptoms:

diarrhea, bloody mucous, severe cramping, rapid weight loss, loss of appetite, fever’s, and loss of body fluids, joint pain in knees and hips, headaches, fatigue.

New UC’er

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative proctitis during my 2nd colonoscopy 3 weeks ago; however when my biopsy results came back they confirmed that I actually have Pan-Ulcerative Colitis.

I have been battling for the last 3 years with bouts of diarrhea, bloody mucous, severe cramping, rapid weight loss, loss of appetite, fever’s, and loss of body fluids.

I started having all of my symptoms 3 years ago while I was still married to my previous husband. I had made an appointment while having bloody mucous stools and the doctors could not give me an answer to what it was. They suggested it was my hemorrhoid and told me it would resolve on its own.

I moved 1 hour away and got divorced from my previous husband. In the middle of all this I had started all of these symptoms of severe cramping bloody stools, fevers, weight loss, and fluid loss again. This time I seen a new doctor in my new town who wanted to do a colonoscopy.

During my 1st colonoscopy 2 years ago, the general surgeon had cam back and said he could not find any reason why I was passing so much blood with every bowel movement or having such painful cramping. His suggestion was I had acid reflux and to continue taking a new medication called Aciphex twice daily.

After being on Aciphex twice daily for 2 years the symptoms have only gotten worse. This time however; I wised up and asked for a referral to see a GI specialist.

It took 6 months to finally reach a GI specialist. I had my 2nd colonoscopy after I had severe bleeding with stools again. The Colonoscopy and The correct doctor accurately diagnosed me with no hesitations. I am currently on Balsalazide 750mg, 3 capsules, twice daily to help with the symptoms.

I have weaned myself down from coffee to green tea and cut out all salad, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, wheat, and anything spicy. So far, there really is no difference in my symptoms except the blood is gone.

Medications and Supplements:

In the past I had no idea that I had UC. I was told I just had acid reflux and was put on omeprazole or they couldn’t find a reason why I was bleeding and to wait it out. I tried anti-diarrhea pills in the past with no luck and they only make it worse.

written by Brandy

submitted in the colitis venting area