I’m All Better, Right?

I just turned forty in December and life was going pretty good. I live in Atlanta and enjoy being active. I have a horse I love to ride and spend time outdoors being active when I can. Pretty normal person with a pretty normal life.

I was admitted to the hospital when I went to GI appointment. He told me, “You are in trouble and I will not treat you outpatient.” I was admitted and didn’t realize how bad I really was. They could not keep an IV in me without blowing the vein for more than twelve hours. Five days later I was released. Life should go back to normal right? They wouldn’t have released me if I wasn’t better. Right?

Some more background info:

I am a Sagittarius in every way. I am fun and like constant change and stimulation in my environment to feel fulfilled. I have a times (mostly by my dad)been called flighty and my boyfriend doesn’t understand how someone’s plans can possibly change so much. Hey, go with the flow!

Symptoms:

I was diagnosed on Jan 10, 2015. I am in a flare up. I am having pain and lose bowel movements. The diarrhea is under control and bleeding has stopped since being released from hospital. I am losing 1/2 to 1lb per day. I have lost 18 lbs since Jan 1st. I am fatigued and in a fog. I dare not attempt to drive due to my head being too ‘swimmy’.

I’m All Better, Right?

When the doctor at the hospital sat down to tell me I have Ulcerative Colitis it was simple and sweet. I was very exhausted from all the bloody bowel movements, starvation from lack of appetite (I simply could not eat), and stress from drugs and blown IV’s. I thought it was just a stamp on why I was so sick and now that I had all this medicine life was normal again. I was released with five prescriptions and told only one would be my ‘maintenance’ drug. I would eventually be off the others. Still didn’t dawn on me that this was serious or a condition I was going to have to live with much less attempt to manage.

I was home two days and had a bad day with blood and increased pain and discomfort. I could not reach my doctor or anyone that could tell me anything. I thought that maybe I should return to hospital. The doctor not calling me back was a blessing. It made me research, and find this site, what my diagnosis actually meant.

This is the second time I had a flare up in my life but didn’t put the two together. Two years ago I got really sick and lost 40 lbs in two months before getting better. I was given Cipro and Flagyl and told I simply had a bacterial infection in my colon. Miraculously I recovered with no more information. I did notice certain foods bothered me and it took a long time for my poop to form but I didn’t have the extreme pain in my side I had this time.

Now, I am seeking all the information I can find. I firmly believe that nutrition and diet are the answer. I don’t want to live on maintenance drugs for the rest of my life.

When I realized what UC is I cried. A lot. Only a few days though. This really is not a death sentence. It’s kind of a life sentence. I have quit smoking and learned a new reason to eat healthy and not stress out.

I have been open about the diagnosis and several friends have reached out to me. One has UC also. It was good to talk to her. I talked to my first cousin today. He also has UC. He was diagnosed 12 years ago and had some great info and advice.

I am having good and bad days but I can tell the inflammation is improving.

Medications / Supplements:

I am currently taking Cipro, Flagyl, Prednisone, Lialda, and Zofran.

I am reading about the Low FODMAP Diet but haven’t tried it yet. I am also taking probiotics and some suppliments that include marshmallow root, slippery elm,cabbage leaf, and cannibus oil CBD.

So far my only goal is to stop losing weight and I am not there yet.

written by Beth E

submitted in the colitis venting area