Introduction:
Hi there! My name is Nicole and I live in the Midwest USA. I am married to my best friend and the mother of five fabulous children. I’m 33 years old and was recently diagnosed with colitis in early February 2013. When I was first diagnosed, I threw myself a pity party, then started researching this disease, and found this site. I’ve been lurking for a couple of weeks, and finally found the strength to introduce myself.
Some more about Nicole:
I’m a pretty laid back person with a fun-loving attitude and a great sense of humor, if I do say so myself. I used to be really big into crafty things, like knitting and scrapbooking, but most recently, I’ve been an avid reader, a part-time gamer, and I’ve developed a passion for food (which is why I was so devastated when I was diagnosed…silly, I know.) I love spending time with my family, I’m into tattoos, piercings, and most things random.
Symptoms:
After my diagnosis, I was started on Asacol, and I am currently on that to manage my symptoms. I went from going to the bathroom 20+ down to 2-3 after my hospitalization and medication. Thankfully, I actually FEEL significantly better.
Colitis in the Midwest – Nicole’s Story
My family and friends have been amazing in helping me cope with this difficult time in my life. My husband basically saved my life by taking me to the hospital when I was close to withering away to nothing. It sucks having to take days off of work because I can’t seem to stay out of the bathroom, but my job is super understanding and being approved for FMLA definitely helps. I just hate not being able to live the life I once lived.
However, my diagnosis may very well be the best thing that ever happened to me. As I previously mentioned, I have had symptoms of UC since I was a child, and no doctor ever took me seriously. I mean, what 12 year old as bloody stools and recurrent diarrhea on a regular basis?! So, even though I hate having to live with this disease, I at least know now what is wrong with me and I don’t have to feel like I’m crazy because no one can tell me why I feel the way I do. Now I know why.
My journey with Ulcerative Colitis actually started when I was 12 when I had my first colonoscopy, but it was misdiagnosed and went untreated until recently when I had my wisdom teeth removed and was prescribed Clindamycin for aftercare. After a week of taking my antibiotics, I ended up with c-diff, which I wrote off for 3 weeks as a bad stomach bug. Finally, I went to the doctor and was put on antibiotics for c-diff and thought all was well until I ended up being hospitalized for a week for severe dehydration from not eating or drinking and having severe diarrhea for a week. In the hospital, I tested negative for c-diff, but had another colonoscopy and was diagnosed with UC.
written by Nicole
submitted in the colitis venting area
Hi there! My name is Nicole and I live in the midwest USA. I am married to my best friend and the mother of five fabulous children. I’m 33 years old and was recently diagnosed with UC in early February 2013.
