Let’s start off with a funny pug picture because the rest of this post isn’t going to be funny at all.
Clearly, Murphy is comfortable.
Ok, so it’s time for me to fess up about what’s been going on with me lately. I’ve actually sort of been dreading writing this post because I didn’t want to admit that I’m sick again. Yep, that’s right. The colitis is back. FML.
Since my first episode more than seven months ago, I haven’t had a single GI issue, and I’ve felt perfectly healthy. I thought what happened over the summer was a one-time deal since colitis can be caused by a variety of illnesses and infections, and my doctor said he didn’t know whether it would come back or not. Of course, I hoped and prayed it would never return, but after a few weeks on wonky digestive issues, I’m now involved in a full on colitis flare, and it’s not fun.
Initially, I ignored the warning signs. I mean, there was no way it was happening again. Not to me! It was a fluke the first time. But, as soon as things progressed to scary (read: bloody), I called my doctor. We tried to nip it in the bud with a low-dose of steroids, which, at first, made me feel quite a bit better, so I thought I conquered a potential flare and continued on with my typical lifestyle, which included drinking beer and iced coffee, running 8 miles, and busting out Burpees. But, I’m pretty sure these things didn’t help my situation since I woke on Saturday morning feeling like death. My symptoms went from bearable to full-on flare. Somehow, I managed to make it through a run and brunch with friends, but as soon as I got home, I spent the rest of the day and evening trying not to die hunched over the toilet. Same with yesterday. And today. It sucks. A lot.
I’m honestly not even sure what to think about this whole thing. For once in my life, I was being totally optimistic about what happened to me this summer, and I really didn’t think it would come back. Now, colitis is something I probably have to deal with for the rest of my life. I know there’s worse things that can happen, but I’m pissed. I thought I was doing everything right with regard to my health, and now this bullshit happens. Why me? I’m healthy! I’m sorry to be such a downer. I’m just trying to wrap my brain around it.
Thankfully, my doctor’s nurse worked her magic to get me on his schedule for tomorrow morning, so, hopefully, we can deal with this flare quickly, and it’s over and done with as soon as possible. I hate feeling so helpless with regard to my health. I just want to be healthy and get on with my life.
Snack
A blog friend of mine said coconut water has been helpful for her digestive issues, so I drank a Vita Coco mid-morning. I figured it couldn’t hurt, and I was really thirsty. It tasted so good going down.
Lunch
Today’s lunch was eaten in two parts: chicken with rice and roasted broccoli.
And a smoothie made with banana, blueberries, coconut milk, ground flaxseed meal and ice.
Blah. Sorry for such a bummer post. I promise to be more cheerful tomorrow. I think once I meet with my doctor and get some more answers, I’ll feel better about things.
222 Comments
sorry to hear what’s going on tina.. but thank you for being so honest with your readers!
I hope you get everything figured out. GI issues are the worst.
oh Tina, I’m so sorry to hear that these issues have flared back up again. But remember how strong you were the first time. You will be able to get through this and impress yourself yet again. And remember, you not only have the support of your close family and friends, but ALL of your blog readers!
this may seem weird to say, but this post was extremely honest and that is always something that readers appreciate. Not that you aren’t always, but sometimes letting your hair down and bitching really does help.
Ugh…you poor thing. It’s is truly awful when you feel like crap. I hope you get things figured out soon!
Crohn’s sufferer here. Bland, bland diet and low impact exercise only until those guts settle down. No rhyme nor reason for flare-ups. But you’re not alone. Hang in there!
@susan:
Susan,
Not to hijack, but my husband was just diagnosed with Crohn’s and I’m at a loss where food is concerned for him….any help you can give would be most helpful.
my email is saratytor@gmail.com
@sara marsh:
If you google the “specific carbohydrate diet” a lot of studies show that it can really help heal the intestines of people with IBD.
@ALI: i have ulcerative colitis and agree with the recommendation of SCD. Most roughage, nuts, seeds and alcohol is out for me. Asacol has made my life a million times better though. I think it’s different for everyone so it’s trial and error on what you can tolerate.
I am very sorry for you, you are so positive and active I can see how much this sickness bothers you! Good that you drink coconut water and coconut milk it is good for your stomach and intestines! It was once recommended to me my my doctor to drink it for 6 weeks, I felt better!
Ugh! You poor thing! Not fun. So glad you’re going back to the doc! Get some meds that work. I have Crohn’s. Took a bit to figure out what does work. You will get better! Good luck!
I know exactly where you’re coming from Tina. I’m 20, perfectly active and healthy and I have SERIOUS leaky gut, and 45 food allergies to go along with it. I can’t eat garlic, gluten, eggs, even lettuce. It’s hard having stomach issues when you’re so into nutrition and fitness.. but it’s just the cards that we’re dealt. We just have to learn how to play the hand. Hang in there.
@Michelle @ Oats n’ Bows: Same here. I can eat about ten foods, no joke. I have been like this for two years now and everything I have done to fix it has failed.
Tina, I’m sorry you’re having issues again. I know how hard it is to not be “normal” like everyone else — it really sucks. But, all you can do is eat what you can eat and get pleasure out of other things in life (I love food so it was hard for me to give everything up at first, even though it made me feel awful). Hope you feel better soon!
You’re honesty is appreciated, and sometimes it’s good to let out your true feelings. You never know, you may help someone along the way too. Don’t ever worry about being yourself on your OWN blog, you have the right. Sorry to hear your dealing with this again. Hope you start feeling better soon so you can get back to being a badass at crossfit!
My grandma suffered from ulcerated colitis for years before she passed. That said, I know this is going to sound nuts, but if you have the chance, ask about the treatment with the ascaris worms. I wish that would have been around when my grandma was alive — it might have helped her, since no other meds did.
It’s your blog–you have every right to talk about things like this if you want! Sorry to hear that the colitis is back. Hopefully you can get things under control quickly this time!
You don’t have to feel bad for blogging about this. It must be incredibly frustrating for you to feel this way. Hope the symptoms clear up quickly and you feel better soon!
🙁 I am so sorry to hear about the falre up. Wishing you a speedy recovery x
Aww Tina I’m so sorry!! Good luck at the doctors tomorrow!
My huband has had ulcerative colitis since college, about 11 years. I have had type 1 diabetes since I was one. You will learn to live with it & it will just become a part of your daily life. We have both run 4 marathons and are currently training for our 5th. If he has a flare up we lighten up on training or skip a few days but we learn to live with it, that’s life. We never forget that it could be much worse, we have it pretty darn easy and we are thankful for that.
Man that stinks! Hope you feel better soon! Thank goodness you were able to get into the Dr tomorrow. Bless your heart.
We’re rooting for you Tina ! Keep your head up !
I’m sorry you have to deal with this. Feel better soon!
I’m so sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling well! I hope the doctor goes well tomorrow.
Shugs, that sucks! Maybe, you overdid it with the Crossfit. Pushing yourself to the limits/exhaustion physically weakens the immune system. A weakened immune system cannot fight off germs well and it also can go haywire itself (GI problems can be autoimmune disorders, similar to allergies). Maybe, one reason for the current breakthrough flare up. — Take it easy, burpee master!
That’s awful! So sorry to hear… I hope you are able to recover quickly and get back to normal.
I have a co-worker who had stomach issues and finally figured out she had to stop drinking coffee. Her issues went away.
Balance in all things will make a huge difference. Hope you feel better and find the balance your body clearly needs.
I am so sorry! I’ve had unexplained GI issues for years. It’s always when you think things are getting better that you get hit with the worst of it. Stay strong. I hope you get to feeling better soon!
Aww Tina! You poor thing! I admire your optimism and know that that will help you with the coping process. I’m a PA and see alot of this and it has a pretty big spectrum in how extensive it can be. For alot of people they will have the rare flair bit it largely won’t interfere with their quality of life. If there’s anything I can do or if you have any medical questions don’t hesitate to ask!!
so sorry to hear this! As readers have said..make the necessary adjustments to your diet asap! Even if it’s boring for awhile…it’s a must..and will likely make this so much easier for you…good luck!
Feel better! Sending you get well thoughts!
so sorry to hear you’re suffering. don’t feel bad for posting a downer post, it’s your blog! Plus it helps to have the support of readers and know other people may have similiar issues. I’ve been dealing with an ear/balance issue and it’s horrible not being able to do all my normal activities.
So sorry to hear that. Hopefully with some rest and meds you will stop this thing sooner than later. I have Crohn’s so I know that it can be so frustrating when you think you are doing all the right things and flare ups continue. Let me know if you ever want to vent, I’ve dealt with this for a long time. I apologize if you’ve discussed this in the past, but have you played around with your diet? I tend to feel a lot better on gluten free diets even though I supposedly don’t have an allergy or celiac. Just a thought. Good luck!
You poor thing! I hope everything is figured out soon. Keep us posted!
So sorry to hear you that, but so glad you shared! It really helps your readers who have other similar and/or chronic health problems because we can gain courage, strength and inspiration through your posts, even though you might feel like you are being a downer. Best wishes in the coming days – you have a lot of people thinking of you and wishing you healthy thoughts!
Hi Tina,
I love your blog! I found it when I was looking into Crossfit and found your posts so informative! I’ve NEVER commented on a blog before, but I feel that a probiotic may help you with your colitis issue – so I couldn’t resist.
Feel free to google probiotics effects on ulcerative colitis. It may be a little alternative for some, but these pills have really helped me with digestive issues. Because they are a little pricey, I buy mine from Amazon – I attached a link below. But there are a million others to choose from. They have them at Trader Joe’s and Whole Paycheck too, since you may not want to wait for delivery!
I hope you feel better! Thanks for all the Crossfit info – I love it!
http://www.amazon.com/Jarrow-Formulas-Jarro-dophilus-EPS-Capsules/dp/B0013OUKTS/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1330377204&sr=8-13
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about your flare up Tina! I hope that there is good news from the doctor tomorrow!
i’m sorry to hear, tina”¦unrelated, but in my life learning to embrace the difficulties in life (even health problems) has turned out surprisingly rewarding down the road…
boo. i’m sorry you’re not feeling well. i really hope you can snap back quickly!!!!
So sorry that you’re dealing with this issue again, Tina. Sending you my best.
I really don’t feel like you need to apologize. Real life is always happy, sunshiny, rainbows. Being sick in any shape or form sucks and it’s definitely ok to feel that way about it all at some point! I sure as heck do! Hope you feel better soon and get some answers tomorrow.
*is NOT always happy… (minor mistake there ;))
aww hang in there! you’ll get through the flare. i have plenty of GI issues myself so i know how dark these days can feel! hopefully they can get you on a regimen to get back on track and keep the flare ups at bay!
Sending my deepest apologies Tina and hoping you can find some sort of solution with your doctor. Hopefully this is just something that occasionally comes up that you have to deal with, not limiting the already wonderful life you have. Just think of Murph and how is he always rooting for you!
Oh nooooo 🙁 I’m so sorry to read this… here’s hoping you feel better ASAP. xo
I had similar-sounding GI issues that wound up being related to my hormonal birth control (I had recently switched from the pill to NuvaRing when they started). Not sure at all if that’s your situation, but it could be something to keep in mind if you’ve switched birth control at all recently. When I went off hormones I was back to normal within a couple of months. Good luck!
Aw Tina…that’s no good. I have every confidence you’ll put through and quickly! 🙂
@sara marsh:
*pull through!
Definitely don’t feel like you need to apologize. You are NOT a Debbie Downer, you’re a woman dealing with an unfair health issue that is frustrating. If you can’t complain here, where could you!?
Hoping your appointment went well with the doctor and you can find a solution to avoid these painful flare-ups from repeating.
I hope you figure it all out, so sorry to hear you’re going through this!
Hi I’m so sorry to hear you’re in another flare – have been in one myself for over a year (!) and have had UC for 12. Although I still eat well and exercise, as an FYI, I have noticed that I have flared when I would exercise too much; I can’t overdo it anymore. But anyway, I am so sorry. Steroids are the worst (in my opinion, worse than UC symptoms) and the whole disease can be so frustrating and lonely to deal with. You are lucky you have so many people who support you. Always keep that in mind – also, you will learn to appreciate good, healthy days so much more. In addition, last time I told you about the GI tracker app for your iphone – it is free and it is a great tool to help you understand what is good and not good for you to eat. Good luck and hang in there.
Oh no! 🙁 I hope you get to feeling better and get some answers soon!
That really sucks 🙁 I hate GI issues more than anything. I would rather be sick in bed with the flu than have to suffer through stomach problems. Hopefully your symptoms get better sooner than later.
Hang in there! You’ll get though this 🙂
ah! stomach pains are THE WORST! i was recently diagnosed with celiac disease..and can no longer eat gluten. but, before that it was my small intestine that was giving me BIG troubles. try some AVC in water and a heating pad over your stomach, those two things really seemed to help me. stay strong girlie!
Hi Tina, I also have colitis and i have managed it since high school. Most of the time I keep it at bay by avoiding dairy and fried foods, but sometimes there is nothing you can do and it just flares up. I like to use relaxing techniques because it doesn’t help to get frustrated and stressed about it. Try breathing slowly, rationalizing that this is just part of who you are and you will get through it, thinking about warm light focused on where you are feeling pain (sounds silly but it works), and knowing that openly talking about is also a release. Please feel free to contact me about it – almondjayblog@gmail.com – I would be happy to discuss my experiences. All I can say is I know what you are going through and you are not alone 🙂