Hi! Unfortunately I am new and joining you:(

Hey all,

I am a 34 wife and mother to three (ages 12, 2 and 9 months). I came down sick with flu-like asymptoms Sept. 17, 07 and 3 days later ended up in hospital for the campto bacteria diarrhea second day in hospital. I was then released on Cipro. Days later ended up bleeding from bowels with diarrhea and thought infection was back- ended back up in hospital and sent back home another round of Cipro in which I took them all that time. Days later again same thing...ended up back in hospital and had colonoscopy. So far preliminary results are that it is colitus. I will know next Thursday if it is actually Colitus or Chrohns. I guess stress (my baby was getting ready to have bladder surgery, argueing with hubby, school, life in general threw me in the loop. I feel really depressed since I have been going through this or weeks...it has taken a toll on my marriage because my hubby works hard and then comes home to be with the kids and do lots of stuff. I feel like a huge failure because of all of this. When we got together in 2003 I had a disc rupture in my back a few months later at age 30 and that still hurts to this day--like right now. I have alot of muscular pain right now and a burning sensation in areas of my body. I am looking for a great board of people to come and talk with!! Thanks you all if you have got this far:)

Terri

You've found a great place for support. Once you know for sure what your diagnosis is, folks here will be able to advise you better.

In the meantime, I'd suggest doing whatever you can to try to lighten your load of stress, worry and guilt. It sounds like you've got a lot going on in your life. Right now, your health has to be top priority.

sorry that you are here, but glad you found this place, it has been great for me. Denial, anger, acceptance, it's all part of it. You did nothing to give yourself UC. See what your Doc says and take it from there, research everything and take good care of yourself.

I am newly married 1.5 years and it this has been hard recently on me and my husband, but communicating and trying to understand where eachother is coming from has really helped, not to say that we have not argued and stuff, but we get through it and I know it's very difficult when you first find out. My first Doc gave me a pamphlet and shoved me out the door (he retired a month later).

Hi Terri,

Welcome to the board. I'm pretty new here myself and I've found it great to be able to discuss all these issues with people. Also, now that I'm in remission and have had this disease for 10 years I'm happy if I can pass along any shred of useful info to someone.

First, I just have to say that with three kids, you are amazing. When I'm not feeling well, all I want to do is be on the couch and watch TV. I know that with kids that is barely an option. So undoubtedly you are forced to do a lot more and I totally respect that. Even if it feels like you are not functioning at your best, you are not a failure.

I was just thinking about what I would do differently if I were getting first diagnosed now. I think I would ask for copies of my colonoscopy and biopsy reports. I never really understood in the beginning what was going on but I think if I had the reports to look at (and compare with future colonoscopies) I would have had a clearer sense of everything.

Also, I would not have blindly gone on Prednisone because my first doctor told me to. You'll read here all about the difficulties that people have trying to get off steroids. I think my first doctor prescribed them to me because he just couldn't stand to see me miserable and steroids were the quick fix. In actuality, I just wasn't that sick and I'm certain that there were other options available to me that he didn't explore. So, I'll just encourage you to ask a lot of questions so you get the best treatment.

Having everyone here to bounce ideas off is great too. :)

Sorry. Duplicate post.

Welcome Terri - I also hope that you can escape with a dianosis that can be cleared up and you don't need to get advice from this forum for UC related problems. If you do however you will find tons of info here. In the beginning it can be very confusing. I found I had to write notes and jot things down or cut and paste and copy into a word document and print off to have for reference.

It can be a trial and error type thing finding what will work specifically for you to get things under control. You have a lot on your plate right now with small children and a husband. Hang in there and do try to keep the stress at a minimum.

Keep us informed and you will get a lot of support and info here.

Oh my goodness....thank you ALL for all your support!!! I can tell already you all are so wonderful:) Hugs to you all!!!