I Have Something To Share…
I had many plans for blogging over Christmas and didn’t follow through. I have written this post to kind of explain why. I’ve only shared this with close friends and family, but without further adieu, I have something to share…
18+ Months Ago
During my second year of university, I was experiencing upset stomachs and problems with needing the bathroom urgently. For a few weeks, I did think it was dietary. I was living the life of a student, eating out and drinking. I confided in some friends. They urged me to get checked out as the dietary changes hadn’t helped. I was also beginning to experience other symptoms. I went to my local walk-in center as getting a GP appointment was difficult at the time. After being examined, I was told I was having a bad experience with constipation. They sent me on my way with a laxative. This didn’t help and before starting my next semester at university, I was able to get a GP appointment.
After blood tests, the GP concluded it had more to do with food sensitivity and diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I went back and forth with more tests, different medications, and eliminating food, but nothing was helping. Feeling very stressed, trying to finish university and working, I was feeling very low.
Fast Forward to Graduation
It wasn’t until graduation that my symptoms started to get worse. By that time, I had become very constrained as to where I’d go and what I’d do. I spent my week either at work or at home. Being very scared about either not getting to the bathroom in time, or suddenly being unable to move with the pain.
Apart from work, I stayed mostly at home. It’s where I felt most comfortable. If anything happened like a sudden low point or a struggle with the pain, I could stay in bed. At work (at the time I had two jobs) I had so much support from the most lovely people. For a few hours each day, I was able to push everything to the back of my mind. I knew there was a bathroom nearby and I knew if I felt very unwell I could confide in management.
Then something hit me…
I was trying so hard to push it all back and be normal that I didn’t realise that the symptoms were changing. As soon as I felt hungry, I also felt sick. Even when I smelt certain foods I felt sick. Being put off by food so quickly meant I didn’t eat properly. What I was eating wasn’t giving me any nutrients and I lost weight quite drastically…8 Pounds in just under 3 weeks.
I went back to the doctors suspecting it was a stomach infection. The treatment? Drink lots of fluids to see if it would pass. It didn’t. I had another appointment. More blood tests. Two days later, I was called and told I was being referred. An emergency appointment with the hospital…
Panic. It was a bit silly in a way, as I didn’t know why I was being referred until I went to the first appointment. I just couldn’t help it, I felt very embarrassed by what was happening to me and I had to then share that with another person.
The Waiting Game
At this moment in time, I am waiting to go in for an endoscopy and have some biopsies taken.
I’m embarrassed by it, but I know that it needs to be done. There is also gas and air available. Bonus! I’m currently on steroids to help with the inflammation (Prednisolone) and they are making me very tired and very hungry.
For my blog, there’s going to be a delay in posting, but I will update about what is happening.
I was umm-ing and aah-ing about whether I should share this part of my life on the blog. However, after researching IBD, I came to find out it can affect people from such a young age. Seeing other people’s stories and journeys has been reassuring. I am in no way an expert on the subject. I’m just starting to learn everything myself. But, what I learn I will share and hopefully it can benefit someone.
As always, thanks for reading…