Mental struggles dealing with UC

I can relate. I got diagnosed at 21. It is definitely hard to come to terms with it and I think it is normal. I too was always healthy and athletic so it is hard to see your body struggling. One thing I would say is to not lose hope. Our bodies are resilient. There are thankfully options for medication and so much info on diets. There are many ways to make this manageable it is just about finding what works for you. It is in the finding that can become exhausting but you have to remain strong and continue to push forward. Start with food journals. Figure out what foods cause symptoms and what foods don't. Also l found that supplementation helped me a lot. Ask your doctor about CBD oil, it's wonderful for lowering inflammation. Ask about L-Glutamine, probiotics, multivitamins etc. But mostly, when you try a medication, if you are not getting results and it has been three months, ask your doctor to change. I think my biggest issue was that I waited way too long for drugs to work and wasted years. Just know there are options for medications and if you aren't getting results ask to try something else. -Elizabeth (team member)

Hi Daisy, Think that you're not alone. I would like to share with you that my son who is 19 has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and UC. You learned to live your life with this condition. Do not miss your medications and take good care of your diet. Best, Lesly

Hi Daisy, I think you should read this. I am now 21, but got diagnosed at 18 with UC after my senior year of HS before college. Mu condition was about as bad as it could get before surgery. I almost died twice due to blood loss. I was also in the hospital for 3 1/2 months straight in the middle of my sophomore year in college. I am only here now because I know how lonely and confusing it could be in your situation, and I wish someone said these things to me; because these things saved my life, literally. First of all, never lose hope that you can heal completely to full remission. If you’re religious, really use that. You have to really believe, wether if it’s in God, your doctor, your body’s ability to recover itself; whatever it is. Belief is such a strong healer physically. It sounds crazy, but if you want to know why, read ‘Becoming Supernatural’ by Dr. Joe Dispenza. Second, research dieting and it’s effects on your gut bacteria. To make this short, read ‘The Maker’s Diet’ by Jordan Rubin and you will be on the right track. This book saved my life. Also never skip what meds your doctor recommends; but also do everything you can in your power that the doctors can’t do for you! To go back to your point, I had a whole year of my life taken from me when I was just reaching the best time in my life. The doctors didn’t even know how long I would be in the hospital for. Now that I am healthy, I realized that the lessons I learned while on my deathbead at 20 years old have shaped who I am. I am actually grateful for this experience in many ways that I don’t have the time to explain. To sum it up, try to see everything that happens to you as good or part of some greater plan or story in your life, like you’re some sort of superhero. I know it’s a long read but this is how I literally survived death and grew from the absolute worst experience of my life. Feel free to email me if you would like to stay in touch

I too was diagnosed at 20, symptoms were sudden at 19. I was very athletic and ate properly but still got Crohn's.
I lost weight sudden and fast (almost 60 lbs at my worse), I have had numerous surgeries with resections and now an ostomy.

I am in my mid-50s now and the medications and treatments today are what I have always referred to as a "God send".
I struggled immensely for many many years until biologic therapy arrived.
It has taken decades but I am finally back to my original weight and thanks to biologics, I have got my life back.
You will get through it but it will be hard at times, I cannot deny that and you will find we all go through it. You are not alone.
Vern - IBD Team Member