Intro:
I was diagnosed with UC in the beginning of 2011… It took me a long time to go to the doc about my urgency and blood in the toilet issues, and even when i finally went and had the colonoscopy, it took another 9 months to get into remission… I am pretty sure i have had UC for more years than i have been diagnosed, symptoms started when i was a kid (I’m 30 now), and I’m pretty tired of needing to poo! Or feeling like i need to, even tho not much except blood comes out.
I have had about 4 flares since being diagnosed, including now.. and currently even tho enemas are sort of helping, I’m really really thinking about surgery!
Symptoms:
Urgency, blood, mucus. Envy at all the people with perfectly working Colons!
General pain from my butt being in spasm all the time.
Crystal’s Colitis Story:
I’m currently in a flare, and am booked in to see my GI on 24th November. It is not the worst flare i’v ever been in, and each night when i take my disgusting enema and then try to stand still long enough holding it in, before i know il have time to run to the bin to dispose of the used bottle and then to bed to lay down on my side, i wonder if this is ever going to end.
I have a referral in to see another GI (my current is very pushy and scary at times – medicine wise) and I’m at the point where I’m thinking about other options. I’v been really good for about 7 months, but when I’m in a flare i feel like I’m dying out my butt.
I’m nervous about talking to my doctor about the possibility or surgery. I know this flare will pass, but i also know when life gets a bit stressful again Im going to flare again, and again and again and again….. you get the point. I guess I’m just wondering if they might think I’m being an idiot for even considering this option.
Im also scared about the cancer thing. If i have the surgery, although i will be pooping from my guts, i won’t have these lingering worries about flares and cancer and stomach pains, and butt aches, and blood blood everywhere anymore.
Am i being an idiot? Will my doctor think I’m not severe enough to warrant such a rash decision? Even tho sometimes i feel like death on a stick?
I’m worried people will wonder why i am even contemplating this route, but they have never had a bout of full blown UC flare. They don’t know what it’s like.
Also for anybody who has had this, What is the least amount of time between surgery and being able to return to a sit down easy going IT office job?
Meds i’v used – I have taken mesalazine this and that, Salofalk, Salofalk enemas, pred, Immuran, and a ghastly amount of other things i can even remember the name of.
Thanks for reading…
Crystal’s Current Treatment:
I currently use the auto immune protocol paleo diet. For some strange reason, fruit really seems to help slow things down. Which is awesome because I already intimately know all the bathrooms at my work, all major shopping centres in my suburb and my home, and I don’t need to spend anymore time getting to know them.
written by Crystal S
submitted in the colitis venting area
I play saxophone and studied jazz at university in Australia, however currently work in IT.
I also am a musician in the Australian Army Reserves. I’m very active and sporty when i’m not spending my time on the toilet with a sore butt!
