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Looking for a little help...

JBartelt

JBartelt

Hello everyone,

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis/crohns disease when I was 22 years old.
I showed symptoms of it when I was younger, but it often would come and go and I never thought much of it. When I was in my early 20's I started having a lot of troubles with my tummy, and eventually went to the dr., sure enough I was diagnosed with what I had hoped wouldn't be the case. Fortunately, my specialist was able to help me treat it, and I guess you could say I was in remission for the last 7-8 years. Just recently, within the last 3-4 weeks it has returned…and has done so, rattttther aggressively. I know the diet portion is very hit and miss for everyone, no 2 people are the same, but for me, it seems as though EVERYTHING is a trigger…even water. I know this may sound completely disgusting, and its really embarrassing, but when no stool comes out and its only blood/some other weird stuff….its getting to the point where I can't even leave my house. Thats no way to live…anyways, my question is, has anyone else experienced this sort of situation, and if so, what did you do to help it get better? I am an active person, I eat clean (pale mostly) and I am a yogi. But, now I have to change my healthy diet to eating white, processed bread and rice :( not happy at all. Plus - I LOVE coffee…in fact, I am opening a coffee house very soon…so seems rather ironic that I am opening a shop, yet, can't even drink my own product without running like a maniac to the washroom. I need some help…I was trying not to worry about it before, but now its getting scary. I recently quit my job in a big city, moved out of my apartment, into the country with my boyfriend, and I am starting a new career path, which I have to spend a lot of money on…not sure if stress was what triggered everything, but I need to get this sorted out asap.

Help!

Thank you...
 
Sandusker

Sandusker

Location
Minnesota
Well I know that not everyone is alike but stress it my worse trigger for flares. I am a teacher and this school year has been very difficult for me, when the stress is up I generally will flare (which it did this fall). Some last longer than others, and I know about those ever so frequent dashes to the bathroom. When I have a flare I generally contact my GI and go on a cycle of steroids, usually Entocort until my levels are back to normal. I am also not a fan of the white bread diet, but I also have found that plain Greek yogurt had helped me a lot. I eat it every morning and it is like a coating for my belly. I am down to 1 cup of coffee, and I love it too..all in moderation I guess. Ginger tea has also aided me too. Maybe you just need something during this stressful time in your life and eventually you will settle back to normal. I have a friend with Colitis and he was having the same symptoms as you but has been in remission for about 5 years, I do not think his doctor even put him on meds but told him to slow his lifestyle down.

Trista
 
JBartelt

JBartelt

Thank you Trista, not that I want anyone else feeling this way, but its good to know that other people understand where I am coming from. I feel bad for my boyfriend, he's so sweet and only wants me to get better, but doesn't understand how I am feeling at times too. Thank goodness he is a patient, caring man! But, yes, this is a very new chapter in my life and everything I knew before is now in the past, so I am starting a new career but not bringing in any money in the beginning process…thats a very new thing for me, I always enjoyed being independent and making my own money. So, this flare up, could just be because of my transition. I just don't like how 3 weeks ago I could eat normal, then all of the sudden I can't eat anything, yet I am bloating up like a little balloon! Argh!
 
Sandusker

Sandusker

Location
Minnesota
I try to keep a pretty thick skin about this disease as well, since my hospital stay and surgery my husband has an ever better understanding of what I am going through. It is helpful to have that support. I just wanted to say if you are concerned about your flare don't be afraid to talk to your doctor, they can possible give you some temporary relief as you begin you journey.

Trista
 
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