Auto-immune disease ramblings - and Vitamin D!

So right now i am reminded that yes I have an auto-immune disease called Ulcerative Colitis. And yes I sometimes have to slow down. Rest. Be kind. And yes its ok to feel sorry for myself. But just for a little while. So I have decided to be a bit cathartic - let it all out - so I can pick myself up and move on. Perhaps in some small way me writing about UC will help with some awareness. Thank you for indulging me.

As you know, if you have read my blog before, I have an auto-immune disease called Ulcerative Colitis. I was diagnosed in 2004 and am currently experiencing my third flare of the disease. Im lucky. Some people NEVER go into remission. People have to quit their jobs because of this disease and find a lifestyle that suits their disease (notice its all about the bloody disease). Some people have their large colons removed as a way of 'curing' this disease. Not this chick. No No No.

And ah yeah - the particulars of this disease arent pretty - we are talking about the bowel after all. Which is why many people dont know about it - its not really the most charming thing to talk about over coffee or in a quiet moment during a meeting at work. Did you know JFK had UC? Here are some others.

So with this flare I am back in the throes of specialists and drugs. Devil drugs. Im on high doses of Prednisone (steroids) and Salofalk (mesalasine) which are both anti-inflammatories (next stop the immunosuppressants...shudder). This medication fucks with you. My joints ache. Ive become jittery, anxious and depressed. My appetite fluctuates. I cant sleep much. And like today sometimes I just need a big old cry - or two. This is on top of what the flare itself is doing to me - spasms/cramping, bleeding, nausea, loss of energy, and diarrhea. (luckily none of this has impacted on work too much as yet) Problem is im not seeing any improvement yet which stresses me. And then the stress makes it worse. Vicious bloody cycle. Ideally I should be sitting in a meditation retreat somewhere sipping on fresh vegetable juices, having massages by someone called Sven and sucking back a cocktail of supplements such as VSL#3 probiotics and fish oil. Meh. If only.

However I have been doing a fair bit of research - always on the hunt for some miracle diet/lifestyle/ingredient that may bring me back into remission. And so that brings me to todays lucky winner bought to you by the letter D: VITAMIN D. Someone has described Vitamin D as the coconut oil of supplements. Its gooood shit apparently. (pun intended) Ive attached some links below for those that are interested - and its benefits are not for just those with UC. Check them out.

Well OK now. I feel better for writing that all down. Thanks for listening and fingers crossed my next post is about how well im feeling and remission is on its way! Feel free to send me any queries you may have or if you come across anything in travels about UC, Vitamin D etc. Keep smiling. I know I will. After all there are a lot of others out there with far worse than what I have.

Bx



Confused about Vitamin D and why you shouldnt be
The Dance between Vitamins D & K 
Vitamin D: how do you know if you are getting enough?
Vitamin D deficiency and UC
Vitamin D crucial to activating immune defences