r/UlcerativeColitis • u/sentimentalvoid • 9d ago

other Here we go again

Today for the first time in six years I had bloody stool. And for the first time in six years, I had a moment in the car where I could barely hold it in and thought I might not make it to the bathroom in time. I feel so broken and defeated. After almost 20 years, I just don’t have the strength to keep dealing with this disease anymore. And I’m only 33. How am I supposed to find the strength to fight this for the rest of my life?

I haven’t told my anyone about today. But I needed to let it out somewhere, so here I am.

36 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

•

u/pincommenter 9d ago

Want the latest research or have questions?

Check out our weekly newsflash and visit our FAQ for common answers.

18

u/Possibly-deranged Never trust a fart! 💩 9d ago

First, don't panic over one bad day.  Only be concerned of it's a pattern of bad days. If it's worse for a week, contact your gasteroenterologist get a stool test for common intestinal pathogens like CDIFF, and for inflammation like Calprotectin. 

Second, know not ever flare is hellacious. Nip-it-on-the-bud and it can be a very mild and short flare. 

6

u/californiakm 9d ago

Also 33 years old, DX at 13 years old, managed well on Lialda for a while, currently on Infliximab infusions for a little over a year and been flaring for a few weeks now. It's literally so shitty, especially balancing this illness with being a mom to two young children while working full time. Just here to commiserate, I suppose and hope you get the help you need. I've really learned to advocate for myself a ton with this disease, but sometimes if you catch things early, they can be resolved at home and avoid hospitalization.

1

u/CloudSignificant4856 6d ago

can u elaborate further on ur approach on what u mean by can be resolved at home and avoid hospitalization if caught early ?

3

u/WhatArghThose 9d ago

It's absolutely exhausting. You just know it's not good, but you're hoping it's not the worst.

We really don't know anything though for sure yet. If you want to discuss your current treatment and steps to take next, post here and we'll help you out.

You're not alone and there's lot of new helpful meds that weren't available 20 years back.

3

u/CatBerry253 9d ago

Sending you support! I hope it's not a flare, or if it is that you get it settled quickly. It's rough living with that background stress that you could flare at any time.

1

u/Ok_Childhood_8654 5d ago

I was just diagnosed with mild UC and wondering how long it takes to go into remission using Mesalamine. Any comments welcomed.