I'm not good at this kind of thing...

[AlyssHeart]

My name is Ashley, and I'm a 23 year old part time college student. I also work full time in retail. I was diagnosed last year during the holiday season. I always had a weird stomach, certain foods would upset my stomach, but nothing too bad till then. suddenly I was having to go literally after I ate, and it was nothing but blood and diarrhea. I called my regular doctor, and she had no clue on what to do, so they sent me to a specialist. One colonoscopy later and I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. They put me on Lialda and prednisone and for about a year it was fine. Then the next holiday season came upon me, and I was sick again. This time it was to the point I had to get iron infusions because I was so weak and low on blood. I was starting to get better, till these last few weeks. I was having new symptoms, like bloating, more severe pain, to the point I'm stuck on the couch or recliner cause I can't sleep on my side or stomach, and a burning sensation in my lower stomach. The doctor's are looking into new medicine's for me, but I'm not liking the sound of any of them.

Honestly I'm scared. The last year I acted like nothing was wrong, even with my 3 roommates and live in boyfriend, and now it's more then obvious everything's not ok. I've missed school to the point my journalism teacher (I'm trying to be a journalist) is worried I may not be able to make it because of my condition. My roommates aren't sure why I'm so depressed, and my boyfriend, gods bless him, he's been helping me through this as much as he can. But he's only one person, and even he doesn't really understand what this is like.

either way, I started looking for some type of support group because I'm scared, and no one else really knows what to say about what I'm going through. I found this place and decided to join. I'm not really good at forums. I normally join and lurk around, but this time i want to actually get involved more.

Well that's enough of me rambling. >.>

 

[stevereds]

Hi Ashley.
Hope things get better for you.. Have they looked into 'Crohn's Disease'? not sure if I read it in your post above. But your symptoms or familiar with Crohn's too..(which I have)
Once you are diagnosed they usually can presribe you meds that will help ease the symptoms.

 

[David]

Hi Ashley, I'm glad you were able to find us here. I think it was smart of you to look for a support group. Hopefully we can provide you exactly that

We recently added an Ulcerative Colitis forum which you may want to check out.

Do your doctors have you on any meds? If so, are they helping at all? And have you tried talking to your school's disability office? They should be able to help you a tremendous amount!

I hope to see you around

*hugs*

 

[xJillx]

Hi Ashley and welcome! Well, if you are looking for people who understand what you are going through, you have come to the right place!

I hope you and your doctors can come up with a new treatment plan that gets you well again. I know some of the options sound scary, but check out the Treatment forum to hear first hand experiences. Good luck!

 

[AlyssHeart]

Thanks everyone! I've been looking around the forums a bit, and I'm finding a lot of good info.

Also, thanks David for the advice, I didn't even think of contacting my school's disability office!

 

[Steve]

Hi Ashley and welcome. You've come to the right place. This place brings out the best when in a bad situation.
UC or Crohns - it should make a difference from a medication perspective. I was on prednisone and lialda for like 18 months after I was diagnosed with Crohns and it worked well to stabilize me. I swithed off the Lialda to Sulfalazine when I started getting severe wrist and hand pain and swelling.
Hay - keep your head up and take care of urself.