I’m a female 36 years old. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 7/2002. Married w/ 3 sons. Also have GERD & IBS. Currently in flare-up. Suffering w/stomach problems for the last 25yrs. (H. Pyloria & peptic ulcers)Vegetarian
Some more about me:
Own business. Published writer. Ordained minister (Hindu). From NYC. Recently relocated to South Jersey. Survived a car accident-totaled new car(90days ago). Recovering from broken bones and head laceration w/staples.
Symptoms of my Colitis Right Now:
There is just so much blood! It’s disgusting and the pain is almost unbearable at times. I’m not sure if I can go on like this much longer. I’m becoming incontinent. I’m disgusted with the whole situation. I have no support. All my husband says to me is “is there any day that your not sick?”
UC Found During Pregnancy
It took doctors from February until July of 2002 to figure out what was wrong with me! It all happened around the time I was expecting my first son. Doctors and hospitals kept dismissing my symptoms as pregnancy related and possibly just a nervous new mother. What nonsense!
Frustrated beyond belief because I knew something was wrong I kept asking the doctors that I knew and trusted for years to recommend other doctors. Finally I found an amazing gastroenterologist who BELIEVED me! Out of desperation I collected a “sample” to bring to my first visit with yet another doctor.
Immediately the doctor called the nurse to show her. He asked “does this look like stool to you?” She said “no!” There was about an inch of horrid blood that I had collected in a plastic container the day before. The crazy thing is that I thought nothing had happened at that time and was shocked to see the “evidence” collected.
So many people in the medical profession had simply dismissed my complaints as neurosis. Their indifference made me feel hopeless and alone. I knew it was really happening. I was not exaggerating nor imagining things. I was determined to get someone to listen to me.
I’m so grateful that my primary care physician directed me to an awesome ob/gyn who sent me to that gastro! My gyn disproved the existence of hemmoroids that the ER claimed were causing the problem. She was concerned but it was out of her field so she sent me to Dr. Emmanuel.
Dr. E performed the sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and endoscopy. He determined that I have left-sided UC.
A couple of years ago at an ER visit (rushed there from my first clinic visit with new Dr. in my new town) is where it was determined that I also have IBS and GERD. That was depressing news! Since May of 2012 I’ve been taking the following medicine-on and off:
Apriso 4caps once daily
Promethazine for nausea
Dicyclomine for pain
Protonix ppi
Medications:
I have tried some alternative remedies too. For example a macrobiotic diet-I hated it for the most part and was too exhausted to maintain it! The best thing has been this Japanese organic macrobiotic Uma boshi bancha twig tea. I don’t use it anymore-long story.
written by “TH”
submitted in the colitis venting area
Female 36y.o. Diagnosed w/ uc 7/2002. Married w/ 3 sons. Also have GERD & IBS. Currently in flare-up. Suffering w/stomach problems for the last 25yrs. (H. Pyloria & peptic ulcers)Vegetarian
It sounds as if you have a lot on your plate right now. I hope things calm down for you so the UC healing can begin. Find the diet that works for you and make it your first priority. Use probiotics, they are a phenomenon. Writing is a catharsis for many but many writers tune into the “On Demand” of this precious gift. Heal thyself is the motto I would turn to. Keep searching for the balance you deserve.
Diane
Thank you for your comment Diane. I wasn’t sure if I was going to submit anything much less expect it to get posted and have any replies. It was only 3 years ago that I told my husband and eventually my sons what was going on with me. I’m embarrassed and disgusted by uc. While I know life can always be worse and I count my blessings, I cannot take this anymore. Life doesn’t feel worth it anymore. I lost my health insurance December 31, 2014 and am scrambling to get another policy. The joys and any pleasures of eating or excretion are gone. I’m afraid to eat. I didn’t eat for two consecutive days this week nor did I drink or sleep. The pain is insane at times. I know I’m dehydrated. I’m getting severe headaches and heart palpitations. To be honest I really wish that I had not survived my car accident. I’m selfish, I know. But what one person can tolerate may destroy another. I’m glad that Adam is well again and created this site. I wish everyone suffering with this monster heals. Best of luck to all. Thanks for posting and thanks for reading what I wrote.
Hi TH.
I am so sorry to hear what you were going through , I hope you have found something that is working for you and making you feel better.i too am 36 yrs old female, and Know what it feels like to be told by my husband I’m always sick, only now that he understands what ulcerative colitis is he doesn’t say it anymore. I was diagnosed last yr with ulcerative colitis after many yrs of pain on lower left side. It started the end of 2013 when I lost both my grandparents and got engaged, it was a stressful time for me.last yr I was in a constant flare for about a yr, and getting sick all the time.. Asacol did nothing and the only thing that worked was the cortisone (pred) but when I went off it I flared again. My GI wanted to put me on imuran which I was very agaisnt as I already had a low immune system and was scared of the symptoms, so I decided to do research on diet. I actually found a diet called scd, specific carbohydrate diet which cuts out refined sugar, wheat and dairy. Still being on the asacol it started to make me feel better and put me in remission. I have been on it for 7 months and if I fare it’s so minor I take entocort enema for afew days at night and I’m fine . Maybe you should look into changing your diet. In the next month or two I want to start trying for a baby, I’m so scared of flaring up but hopefully can control it still with my diet. I also started making bone broth for nutrients and gut healing, it’s helped so much with my energy. I really hope you feeling better, don’t give up, it really could be worse and you’re not alone ☺
Thank you for your reply. It took a while for me to absorb what you wrote. It really touched me. I appreciate you reaching out. Thanks again.