My Story

I have been diagnosed with a chronic illness called Ulcerative Colitis here is my story!
In December of 2006 I came down with the flu that triggered my colon to become inflamed. So for three months my Doctor was doing testing to see what was going on with me. Finally I was referred to a GI Doctor and in March of 2007 I had my first colonoscopy. What an experience the worst part of the whole thing is the prep the procedure is a cake walk they put you under. They took biopsies and no cancer but my large intestine was inflamed. The Doctor put me on medication called Colazal it helped a little but not putting me in to remission .In April 2008 my symptoms started to get worse. UP at night using the restroom, not getting enough sleep and rundown. This went on for months but my blood tests were coming back OK! Then in July 2008 I went on vacation and became sick to my stomach with pains and using the bathroom every hour all night long at the time I was in California on vacation all I did all week was lay face down in the sand! That week I made a connection between drinking and my flare ups. Shortly after that due to the pain in my stomach I gave up coffee! In august I had a short time were I felt a little bit better, but in September I became very sick when I went to the Doctor he walked in and said you don’t look so good! I had lost 27pounds in three months! He had order blood work that came back that my blood count was extremely low. He scheduled me an emergency colonoscopy and EDG scope to take a look at my stomach!Biopsies were taken from both places and no cancer. But my Entire large intestine was so inflamed that was causing the extreme pain. Also, my stomach was inflamed he had me use Prilosec that was giving me head aches now I take Pantoprazole for my stomach. .He put me on prednisone to stop the inflammation then he started me on Asacol and started to wean me off of the prednisone as I started to wean off of it I started to have symptoms again.The next step was a drug called 6-mp (MERCAPTOPURINE) immunosuppressant. Finally I have 5 weeks left of the prednisone and I am feeling so much better!As of April 13th I am back on prednisone :(!Due to a flare up due to having a cold! I hope as I ween off that I can stay off?


What is ulcerative colitis?Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon, then bleed and produce pus. Inflammation in the colon also causes the colon to empty frequently, causing diarrhea.When the inflammation occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon it is called ulcerative proctitis. If the entire colon is affected it is called pancolitis. If only the left side of the colon is affected it is called limited or distal colitis.Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the small intestine and colon. It can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders and to another type of IBD called Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease differs because it causes inflammation deeper within the intestinal wall and can occur in other parts of the digestive system including the small intestine, mouth, esophagus, and stomach.Ulcerative colitis can occur in people of any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, and less frequently between 50 and 70 years of age. It affects men and women equally and appears to run in families, with reports of up to 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis having a family member or relative with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. A higher incidence of ulcerative colitis is seen in Whites and people of Jewish descent.
What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Patients also may experienceanemia fatigue weight loss loss of appetite rectal bleeding loss of body fluids and nutrients skin lesions joint pain growth failure (specifically in children) About half of the people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Others suffer frequent fevers, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps. Ulcerative colitis may also cause problems such as arthritis, inflammation of the eye, liver disease, and osteoporosis. It is not known why these problems occur outside the colon. Scientists think these complications may be the result of inflammation triggered by the immune system. Some of these problems go away when the colitis is treated.
What causes ulcerative colitis?Many theories exist about what causes ulcerative colitis. People with ulcerative colitis have abnormalities of the immune system, but doctors do not know whether these abnormalities are a cause or a result of the disease. The body’s immune system is believed to react abnormally to the bacteria in the digestive tract.Ulcerative colitis is not caused by emotional distress or sensitivity to certain foods or food products, but these factors may trigger symptoms in some people. The stress of living with ulcerative colitis may also contribute to a worsening of symptoms.