Meet Victoria:
I’m a 42 year old female and I’ve had UC for 16 years, was diagnosed at 26. Once I got my diagnosis and was treated with a rectal steroid for 2 weeks everything cleared up and didn’t have a flare up again for 11 years and now I’ve had 3 in the past 4 years.
I don’t have any allergies or intolerances that I am aware of but I have tried the specific carbohydrate diet while flaring and I believe it helps. It’s just hard to stick to because I love food. A bone broth diet for 3 days does wonders for me but this time I had to succumb and use steroids.
Some More about her:
I’m from New Zealand but I work 8 months of the year as a tour guide in Europe. My flares so far haven’t stopped me doing my job because they have luckily always occurred during the off season and this is the first time I have been flaring whilst working.
Her Current Symptoms: Small amount of bleeding and urgency
Victoria’s Colitis Story:
I’ve just finished a dose of steroids, 50mg and tapered down to nothing. I’m now on my 4 g pentasa sachets each day. The problem is that my flare has definitely improved but it has not gone away completely. I still see some blood when I go to the bathroom and I still have to walk very quickly to the toilet. I am certainly nervous when I don’t know where a bathroom is and I’m a tour guide. My biggest fear is pooping myself whilst checking a group into a hotel or whilst out on a walking tour.
Since completing my dose of steroids my symptoms are definitely much better than before but it’s not business as usual like when I’m not flaring. Has anyone experienced this. I am hoping it will eventually sort itself out but I’m also stressing it’s going to get worse again. How long have people just put up with minor symptoms because they are fairly mild and not full blown flaring?
Before I got diagnosed I was always a very regular person and often had to find a bathroom quickly because when you’ve got to go you’ve got to go but this is just a little bit too next level for me and a little bit too close for comfort. Also seeing the blood still is making me nervous. I have read cases of people bleeding for months or years even but in the past my bleeding has stopped after a dose of steroids. I am not sure why it has not completely gone away this time. I hate steroids. They make me feel great when I’m on them as it clears up my asthma and all my aches and pains and I get lots of energy. I also don’t have any problems sleeping but tapering down to the lower doses is a nightmare. I get super sweaty and really bad heartburn and always paranoid about getting a hairy moonface.
It would be awesome to hear from someone who has the same experience as me.
Currently taking:
Probiotics
Turmeric pills
Ginger shots every day
4 g pentasa granules
I am fairly fit and healthy and my job is very active.
I am not an athlete but I walk a lot.
I have always struggled to keep thin because i love food.
I believe my body responds well to the specific carbohydrate diet whilst flaring and whilst not flaring I feel amazing when following a keto diet which is high in protein and very low in carbs. It is hard to stick to that diet whilst traveling as each country I guide in has different foods and once my flare goes away all the foods I love start to creep back into my diet.
I stay away from preservatives and pre-prepared food as much as possible.
written by Victoria M
submitted in the colitis venting area
I’m a 42 year old female and I’ve had Ulcerative Colitis for 16 years, was diagnosed at 26. Once I got my diagnosis and was treated with a rectal steroid for 2 weeks everything cleared up and didn’t have a flare up again for 11 years and now I’ve had 3 in the past 4 years.
