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Ulcerative Colitis Personal Stories
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Michael's Story
Well I have to say I have had little or no health problems in my 40
years on the planet, but this "UC thing" has really taken me to task. I
first was diagnosed in the summer of 2004, after returning from a
summer working in Europe. I had been diagnosed the previous year with
Proctitus, a simple form of the disease located just at the end of the
anal canal. I had been on asacol both pill and suppositories and though
I wasn't "cured" I was having a bit of blood on the toilet paper, but
no abdominal pain or any other problems. The summer work was very
stressful, but I had been doing that for 5 consecutive summers and had
never had a problem. It all started with lots of foul gas and then led
to diahrrea, with the same small amounts of blood as with my proctitus.
But that soon led to terrible diahrrea, couldn't hold anything in, and
that lead to the stomach pains, very severe at times, and then a loss
of appetite. The doctors their thought it was a stomach bug or a
stomach flu of some kind, so I was filled with tummy tabs and imodium
tabs, which didn't do anything. I finally was so ill that I was rushed
to the Emergency room and put on an IV and had xrays taken. They were
still stumped.
When I finally got home to the UK, I went to my Dr. that had been
treating the proctitus and he immediatly put me in the hospital on IV
steriods and a low residue diet (yuck). A surgeon then came to me in
the hospital and told me if the drugs don't work the colon would have
to go.... I was devastated as I though how bad could it be? Know I
know. Needless to say the drugs did work and after being poked and
prodded for a week in the hospital, I was sent home and put on
Prednisone and a bunch of other stuff, I was slowly weaned off al that
and put back on Asacol (6tabs a day). I did some diet changes, less
sugar, no caffine, sweets, dairy and so far have done OK.
But as of late I am having a bit of blood again, though not every time
and a bit of diahrrea at times. I go in for my "50,00 mile check up" in
2 weeks and he wants a Colonoscopy done as well (Like that doesn't
raise the old stress levels-which I am also trying to control). Really
not looking forward to that, but hey if I get to keep my colon, I guess
it has to be done. I am also on multiple alternative supplements to
help me. Ginger root, enteric oil of pepperment, acidopholus, probiotic
drink, aloe vera juice, co-enzyme q10,charcoal (for gas) papaya enzyme,
slippery elm root as well as a multiple vitamin, eve. primrose oil,
glucosamine, and garlic, things I have been on for years anyway. Not
sure if they are doing any good, but sure don't want to stop anything
to see what happens. It's an expensive route to go, but what choice do
I have? For as you all know the pain and trouble UC can cause, so I am
just weighing the cost against the pain and so far so good, overall.
Thanks for the chance to get this out. I feel a bit "cheated" by this
thing as I am sure you all do as well. Keep the faith and good luck.
Michael
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