Laura's page
Laura's gorgeous children - Sam and Leah
My name is Laura, I'm 27, married and have two children, Sam (3) and Leah (1). I have severe Ulcerative Colitis of the whole large intestine. Looking back I can see that I had symptoms as early as 13 years old, but it wasn't until I have food poisoning at 16 that things started to get worse. Needless to say diagnosis was not around the corner. I went to different GP's on and off for the next 5 years with no outcome. When I moved to my current area 6 years ago I had quite a few bad months with constant stomach cramps, bleeding and general ill health, that my GP referred me to my first Gastro consultant!
I was sent for a colonoscopy and diagnosed right away. Even though I didn't know anything about the disease I was relieved to know that I wasn't dying! You think the worst with the symptoms of these diseases. I was prescribed Asacol, which worked very well for the next couple of years.
When I had my first child in 2001 that's when things started to get bad for me. As soon as he reached 8 months old I fell ill. At first I thought it was food poisoning as I had never experienced anything like it, but it turned out to be a nasty flare up that put me in hospital. I was prescribed Predniselone (IV then oral) and my usual Asacol was upped. I got over the flare very well and went on to get married in good health in July 2002!
I remained relatively healthy over the next year with only the odd days of discomfort, but nothing bad. That is until I had my second baby in 2003 - again, as soon as she reached 8 months in '04 I haven't had a week of good health since. I have been hospitalised 3 times this year and on Pred for most of it to no avail. I was told last week that I am now resistant to the steroids and was prescribed Azathioprine for the first time. I've only just started taking it so it's too early to see if it's going to work for me, but I am hopeful!
I am starting to pick up a bit for the first time in months, so perhaps the Pred is starting to work again for me. Hopefully I will be able to cut the steroids down at some time in the near future and Aza will be my miracle drug! If not, I have been advised that an operation may be the only route for me.
I used to be really scared of the prospect of surgery, but I'm not anymore. At the moment I'm dependant on people all the time to help me look after my children when I'm ill. I want to be a good mother to them and not have them remember me always lying about in pain, so if surgery is the way out then I can accept that. However, I am hopeful that it may not come to this - and with the help of the new friends on this wonderful site I am ever more positive!
Matt and Laura