Getting Diagnosed With Ulcerative Colitis

I have been feeling pretty poorly for a while, and I didn't understand why. When I went to the doctor to have a camera up my rear end, I found out I have serious IBD. I got admitted straight away to deal with ulcerative colitis. It was so scary listening to the consultant and hearing about everything that may need to happen.

My hospital stay

I'm on day six now in the hospital. The steroids are working, and I have met my IBD nurses, who will be there helping me with my new journey going forward. Thanks, big hugs, and love to all at Darlington Memorial for how well I have been cared for. I should be cleared to leave in the morning.

While waiting to get some answers, I did not see a GP once. All practitioners offered me different drugs to help the situation without really getting the answers. I feel very lucky I was taken in so quickly, but I hear there are so many people living with the symptoms without getting anywhere.

Be persistent

My advice is to pester every day. Don’t phone the doctors in the morning for an appointment. You have to physically go in at 8 AM to be ahead of phone calls that will be coming in. If you're not getting anywhere, call 111 and advise the practitioner or GP that they have a 2-week window where they have to get you referred to the cameraman.

Good luck, and I look forward to hearing good advice and passing on any I get.
Gary