Introduction:
I have been struggling with ulcerative colitis for 17 years now. I have been on many medications including prednisone for five years straight which took a great toll on my body. I just recently graduated nursing school and have two beautiful daughters. I was very young when I was finally diagnosed, literally on my death bed. I was misdiagnosed for over a year and am great full for the doctor that saved my life.
My Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms:
Joint pain, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loose stools. I am currently flaring at this time.
I was diagnosed at 10 years old and my condition was so severe that I almost had to have my colon removed at that time.
I was emergency admitted and had a PICC line inserted because I was so dehydrated I keep blowing veins. The doctors told my mom I was on my death bed. I had so much blood in my stool that it looked like a pitcher of red kool- aid was poured in the toilet. Being 10 I was scared to death. Dr Fred Rothstein saved my life and colon. I was put on 9 prednisone pills daily. It took over 5 years to taper off the prednisone. Over the years I have had several flare ups which have landed me in the hospital a handful amount of times. Living with UC has impacted my life in several ways. I won’t go anywhere that doesn’t have a public bathroom. I very rarely go out to eat and if I do I make sure I take an Imodium before I go. But one thing is that I don’t let my disease hold me back, I graduated nursing school in December 2011 and I have two beautiful daughters. I am at this time flaring, so I have put my self on a clear liquid diet and am awaiting my appointment on Wednesday. I am always scared til this day to go to appointments. I currently get colonoscopies every two years since my chances of cancer are greatly increased since I have had the disease more than 10years. I have a very supportive family. I remember being younger and during a flare up my mom made my sisters go on a clear liquid diet when I had to be on one. My oldest sister gave me my enemas when my mom was at work. You can’t get much better than that.
Where I’d Like to Be in 1 Year:
I wish I didn’t have UC any more but that is unrealistic!
written by Tena
submitted in the Colitis Venting Area
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis over 17 years ago.
