20 years old....

Digestive health
1

Hello all,

I'm Michael and I am 20 years young. Had my first flare up 4 days ago or so and I am in misery. I feel weak, my bowels constantly feel full, my bowel movements are often and under productive. I'm just getting my life together just to find out I have this disease that will have an affect on me for the rest of my life. Will I ever go back to feeling normal? Normal bowel movements? Feeling myself again. How to I work with this? Will it be hard to keep a job? I'm so nervous, scared, and depressed over this.

2

I so sympathise with you. 

You'll find a wealth of info on here about how to cope with your problem but the first thing is to get a diagnosis so you get the right treatment.

Have you been to the doc? What did they say?

In the meantime I'm afraid you'll have to look at your diet, which might mean changing what you eat a bit. Its important to find out if there is anything triggering it.

I've had to become an expert on food that suits me. 

I might be different to you but I've discovered that an almost veggie diet has helped enormously. With some people though its the opposite so if you don't eat much veg at the moment introduce it slowly and see how you get on.

When I have an attack I stick to a very bland diet like white bread, mashed potato, cheese and fish, milk and yoghurt for a day or two - no veg at all.

But I can't stress enough this is what suits me for my problem so you'll have to talk to the doc before doing drastic changes.

Once you've got it sorted out you'll hopefully be able to have a normal lifeand do all the things you like doing.

Best of luck.

3

Afternoon,

Sorry to hear your intro to the big D, as you may of read we all have it but it has different effects on people, it took me a month to get back on my feet and eating was not always possible for me as I lost my will to eat, then I was in double trouble as I am diabetic,

I found soup my hero then I slowly added a slice of bread, the pain was unbearable at times, a hot water bottle, paracetamol, and bed rest a must, yes it will go yes you can return to work like me but no heavy lifting,

I keep a food diary as soon as I get a twitch I know the culprit, for me so far its tomatoes, make sure you eat no nuts or seeds I find them bad boys in veg and some fruit .

Don't panic it will get better just give it time, and ys I'm scared it will return to .but do read all posts on here it helped me cope so much

4

I endorse everything Bethia says. You wll find out for yourself what suits you and then life gets easier.

I'd forgotten about a food diary - it really does help to keep a record of what you eat (and drink) to find out what might be triggering it. 

I think this must all sound horrible and restricting when you're only 20 and just want to be free.

If you still live st home maybe your Mum can help sort it out with you.

5

Michael,

Sorry to find another sufferer and one so young. Take heed of Stephanie's excellent reply. Get yourself fully tested and diagnosed, if you have an understanding GP/Doctor/Specialist it is a great help.

I was lucky with my health professionals, one of whom is a fellow sufferer. A barrage of tests followed several prostate checks, cytoscopy. colonoscopy, ct scan, blood, urine and stool tests. Dont worry you soon lose and shyness or embarrassement It will put to rest a lot of worries.

I know now what I am battling and do so as positively as I can. Even now I am learning new things and ways to cope. The help and advice on this forum is a gigantic help. Sometimes knowing you are not alone helps.

Diet has been amazingly helpful for some and not for others. Surgery is a little more contraversial, some dead set against it some are so happy they have had it. Nobody can make the choices for you, read the forum do your own research and feel free to ask any questions.

At the end of the day we all make a choice whether to accept it or fight it. Sometimes you will lose a battle and have a bad flare up. Note if you have done anything different prior to the flare up and avoid that in future.

No need to cease work, speak with your boss explain  as much as you feel comfortable, explain what you are doing to minimise the impact, just keep them in the loop, communication can be an ally.

Dont forget many people can go months or years between flares, that may well be you

Since my diagnosis and now know what I am looking at. I believe looking at the symptoms my first misdiagnosed flare was mid teens, then again three times at 19/20 years old then nothing until i was 48, knocking the door of 50 now So I had the best part of 30years  trouble free, I worked hard and played hard. The only thing I would do different would be to have had a different diet

Ste

6

Hi Michael

Poor you, but welcome to the most helpful forum on this illness.  We have all been through what you are experiencing.  Stephanie has said most of the things I would say. But please be reassured that you will feel better and learn to cope with the illness and live a normal life.  I have lived with this for 15 years, and worked full time for 10 of them (I'm retired now).  I also played table tennis to a high standard during this time as well.  You do need to be prepared to experience discomfort for several weeks, or possibly more until the infection and inflammation die down, but they will.

There are things you can do to help yourself.  As Stephanie says, first thing is to see a doctor and have the tests.  That's usually a colonoscopy and/or CT scan.  The colonoscopy is not pleasant but the prep will certainly clear out your system.  Several people have posted their experiences.  The CT scan is much easier.  

Then there are things which will help your bowels.  There is a product called psyllium husk which comes in a powder form (one generic name is Fybogel).  It is orange flavoured, you mix it with water and take once or twice a day.  I get mine on prescription from my GP, or you can buy over the counter (whichever is most cost effective for you).  It bulks up and softens stools, which once you get over the acute stage, you will find really helps to regulate you.  Many people on this forum recommend it.

My dietary experiences differ slightly from Stephanie, but as she says, everyone is different.  I was advised to go gluten free, high fibre and low fat, so that is the diet I follow, with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and liquids.  However the bland diet Stephanie described is the one recommended to reduce the work the bowel has to do, so ideal for you in your current stage or in future attacks.  Many people also recommend pure Aloe Vera juice and probiotic yogurt drinks.  I found aloe vera reduced my pain to twinges within 5 days of starting it.  It's bitter but it only lasts a few seconds.

Most young men your age will enjoy time out with their mates, so you might need to monitor what sort of things affect you.  Nuts and seeds are a well known trigger, as are high fat foods.  If you like takeaways, you might need to become fairly selective, but you'll soon find out your triggers.  Exercise and weight control are also important, so small portions are a good idea, until you learn what your system is happy with.

This will take you time to come to terms with but I'm sure as you feel better you will feel more positive.  I spent a lot of time going through all the posts on this website and it is full of helpful tips and information.  Best wishes.

 

7

Michael first off your not alone and the big D is manageable. It's called the North American diet because we humans consume too much red meat and not enough fiber in our diets. It's really simple go to your local store and get psyllium seed aka Metamucil. There are other brand names out there also. These fiber supplements provide fiber related benefits to your digestive track. Your colon is the final piece of your small intestine, and psyllium asssits to keep food moving through the colon so you don't become constipated. Note if the colon is clean you will not have an outbreak of diverticulitis and soluble fiber keeps your colon clean from fecal matter and working properly.

Good luck and keep your head up. This D is not a death sentence and very manageable for you.

8

Hi Michael

I hope by now you are getting past the acute stage, beginning to feel a bit better and regaining your confidence.  We are all here supporting you.  Do let us know if you are feeling better and have found the advice helpful.  All the best.