I am currently in remission- and hope to stay so!
I’m Wendy…I am a gardener, kayaker, nurse and cook. I live in rural Iowa and love being outdoors and hiking with my dogs.
I got UC after quitting smoking in 2008 on my birthday.
I was 43.
I had a failed attempt at quitting smoking at 40. I had been working out, feeling great. I wanted to do something good for myself. 2 months later after months of abdominal pain- I started bleeding. I didn’t think much of it at first. Then I started having to go the bathroom several times a day- with blood. Soon it was several times an hour- with blood. By the time I saw my doctor, I knew it was ulcerative colitis.
When I saw the GI doctor- he confirmed Ulcerative Colitis on my first scope- severe pancolitis. The anesthestist at my scope said , ” if you start smoking again it might help”, the first pharmacist that I filled my meds with said the same thing-“smoking might help”. So- and I remember this vividly- I bought a pack of cigarettes after having quit for 3 months. And continued to smoke for the next 10 years.
So now, I’m 53. I’ve again quit smoking. My lungs/health simply can’t handle it anymore. I have a Mom with severe COPD- Im a nurse, I know what smoking will do to you. I really don’t want to have cigarettes in my life.
I’ve been on high dose steroids (never doing that again- and a non responder now). I’ve done remicade (serum sickness- worse thing in my life). And humira-(not currently on because I lost insurance).I’ve flared about every 3 yeats. I’ve for the most part controlled my UC with an SCD diet, and more recently Whole 30 pointed out more dietary problems.
So since quitting smoking I use nicotine gum and vaping to get nicotine in my system. Does anyone have a story like mine? I’m so worried about going into a flare again.
Does anyone have any pointers?
Help.?
I’m sure I’m not the only one going through something like this-
Medications tried/supplements: prednisone, remicade, humira. Scd, whole 30
written by Wendy H
submitted in the colitis venting area
I was diagnosed in 2009 after quitting smoking 10/2008. Been on prednisone, asacol, remicade and humira. Had huge help with scd and more recently with whole 30.
