Colitis - Down but not out…
I have been taking no medication for about a month now. In that time, my colitis has settled…to an extent. I’m hardly losing any blood at all, but I am still losing blood too frequently for my liking. I find it difficult to eat - both lack of appetite and cramping/pains/urge to go to the toilet when I do. I’m at 160 Lbs and I’m desperately fighting not to lose anymore weight. I’d love to regain the lost weight and get back to 170 Lbs, but at the moment I’m not sure I can do that without setting my colitis off in a big way.
Feels like the demon in my gut is sleeping with one eye open. I’m stable to a point, but I’m no where near 100%, and nutritionally/training-wise I’m walking on thin ice trying not the wake the beast up and engage in another full-on flare-up assault.
Taking it easy is wise and kind, but it is also frustrating.
I have issues with the Chron’s Disease article on the main site. It’s not the same as Colitis, but it is similar. Encouraging me to eat lots of food is noble but misguided advice. That would cause me a to cramp up in a seriously painful way, elicit the need for more toilet action (and therefore more potential blood loss) and risk a flare-up. I’ve been there, done that, and it doesn’t work (unless ‘work’ means ‘lots of pain for little reward, and maybe even negative consequences’). I wonder if the authors of these articles have ever had to live with the day-to-day trials of chrons or colitis. If they had, I wonder if they’d be so ready in saying ‘eat plenty’ without acknowledging the discomfort and difficulty of that advice. Still, at least they are trying to address the issue. Not bad-mouthing them; just saying reality is often different from theory, and that you should judge all information critically based on you’re on experiences.
I’d like to say training is going great, but it’s not. I’m taking it easy to try and not end up in hospital again. Very frustrating. But I am off the meds, and I’m generally no worse as a result. Hopefully, if I give it a bit of time, my body can fully heal itself. Naturally.
I hope everyone else is having great success with their health, wealth and training. Be kind to each other, and fight like a devil for your dreams.
October 8, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Have you tried the Specific Carbohydrate Diet? I was diagnosed with severe Ulcerative Colitis back in 2004 and put on meds. It wasn’t until I discovered a book called "Breaking The Vicious Cycle" that I found the SCD. After a few months of being on the diet I was symptom free and med free and have been ever since. Not sure if you know about it, it’s a life saver. I have more info about it on my blog at www.comfytummy.com. All the best to you.