Introduction:
I am a Professor of Management in India 46 years of age. I was first identified with Ulcerative Colitis at the age of 20. I have lived with UC for last 26 years. Initially it was very painful but once identified and treated with steroids,I have come a long way. Leading a fairly healthy family life but watchful of lapses all the time. Regular exercise has been greatly helpful and so is disciplined drinking(high fermented cane and molasses often referred as RUM)
Some more about me:
I come from a family with a history of UC and seems to be running in alternate generation depending upon genetic transfers since last few generations.
Symptoms:
I have mild remissions as I reduce the salazine dosages. Earlier I had dormant UC for almost a decade.
My Story:
I was wrecked earlier when I was announced with UC at the age of about 18. I was an intelligent child with excellent health record. This was tormenting. However, the GUT specialist was very supportive and told me that I can lead a very normal life as the steroids control the breakout. After two weeks of hospital stay I was on a normal life track .
I picked up corporate jobs after completing my MBA for 10 years and then moved to academics. I teach course in management and developed confidence of managing my UC as well.
I got married at the age of 28 and have two beautiful and healthy teenage daughters.
I chose to abide by a seasoned Doctor in Calcutta who advised me to start consuming RUM in moderate quantity. It kept me off remission for almost a decade.
On remission sulpha salazine upto 3 gm a day reduced to 2 gm later has been a norm so far.
My wife has been very supportive of me.She has stood by me in the vents of UC relapses.
I am fortunate to have the medical advise of some good Indian Doctors who have considerable experience in this disease. Many GUT clinics in North India has regular inflow of UC patients and I do find a huge database of UC experiences available to them.
I do feel that origin of UC could be genetic in nature its remission are antagonized by stress. It is auto immune disease and the triggers are very difficult to map.
I am most concerned about conversion of UC to colon cancer and get myself examined for this every two years.
So far life has been wonderful and I do hope some remissions which keep me grounded and are happily accepted stay to that limited frequency only.
Thank you
Medications:
disciplined drinking(high fermented cane and molasses often referred as RUM) and two cigarettes a week have worked well for me.
written by Sanjiv
submitted in the colitis venting area
I am a Professor of Management in India 46 years of age. I was first identified with Ulcerative Colitis at the age of 20. I have lived with UC for last 26 years.
