Been a looooonnnnngggg time...

Hello Everyone,
Been ages since I've been on here. I hope everyone is doing well, although with FM, I know only too well, we all have good times as well as bad. I am here to ask, please, for your help. I know this isn't the place, but am asking where to go. Two years' ago, I was diagnosed with colitis, microscopic colitis, specifically collagenous colitis, via colonoscopy. At the time, I did not take the diagnosis seriously. GI doc wanted me to follow a diet I was unwilling to follow (low residue), take steroids which I was unwilling to do. I thought I could take care of things myself through diet. After a few months, I did go into remission and since then, had had maybe 3 or 4 flares. I am currently in one, for over three months, and realize now this is nothing to fool around with. Is anyone here dealing with IBD? I see there is a Crohn's forum and a UC forum, but my type of colitis really doesn't fall within either category. I have questions concerning the medication the GI doc wants me to take and some other questions that I feel only someone dealing with this can truly answer. Thanks so much,
Miriam

Hi Miriam! It's good to hear from you, although I am sorry for the problems you are having.

I can't help you but I understand your situation. My sister had Chrohn's and I have had ischemic colitis. I know these aren't the same but still quite uncomfortable.

I hope the info Sherrine gave you helps.
Sending you prayers and good thoughts.

Hi Puppylover! Thanks so much for your response. It has been a long long time...I hope you are doing well...still have your goldens? Thanks for your information on your sister and yourself. My niece has Crohn's disease, most of her young life (late 30s now). She had an ileostomy about 12 years ago and I was so naive; I thought by having that, that was it, done with Crohn's. It wasn't until I began this journey two years ago that we began to talk and I found out what she still has to deal with. Just a few months ago, she steamed broccoli, plain broccoli, STEAMED, and ended up with a blockage that put her in the hospital! Her diet is garbage...well, you know, all the fruits and veggies in their natural form she cannot eat...either can I! This low residue diet is really very unhealthy. I am hoping that I only have to be on it until this flare is over, but here she is, after an ileostomy and she's still having to follow it! Believe me, I keep telling myself there are much worse things in this world, I can live with this, but if you have never experienced some of the symptoms, you have no idea how embarassing it can be. I will spare everyone details. Let's just say I have to time when I eat, when I plan to go out and there are times I simply can't leave the house. There is so much more but again, don't want to upset anyone here.
So totally off subject, just to share with another golden retriever lover, I have a 16 month old golden that we got at four months old and have certified her for animal assisted therapy! My husband retired and he's now interning too. We are currently taking her to schools for emotionally and behavior disorders, and libraries for read to dog programs. I am completing a medical course with her and soon I will be able to take her to hospitals and I'm hoping to get her into a Children's hospital one mile from my home. She is awesome with kids, just loves them and is an awesome therapy dog, so calm, so sweet and loving. I hope you are doing well,
Miriam

Miriam, those bowel diseases are really horrible. I do understand why sometimes you can't go out.
Thanks for your golden update! Yes, I still have my older girl. She's almost nine. Last August my DH surprised me with a 7 week old golden. I wasn't too happy at first because of all the extra work. But she is adorable. I tried 2 different trainers. She is so hyper. Finally found this day care that kind of uses the Dog Whisperer methods. She goes for a few hours several days a week. Really has helped. We are moving from our condo into a house with a big yard and a pool. That should help settle her down I hope. Both dogs get along great.

I always wanted to use my older dog in a therapy program. But then my DH was dx'd with cancer, then me. Things were pretty hectic for a few years. Maybe my puppy will be the therapy dog eventually. Both DH and I are well now.
I hope you find some help with your problems. It sounds like you are keeping busy, which is good.

Thanks Sherrine,
Well I went to the IBS forum and was told by one of the moderators that I was in the wrong forum, I should look at the UC forum...go figure!! Thanks anyways, take good care,
Miriam