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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/26/2011 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi im a full time chef and was finally diagnosed with Ulcerative colitus in july 2010. i live in the uk and would like to know if there are any other chefs with UC.

I find it very difficult with my work im only 19 and have been working full time for a year, i trained at college for 3 years to be a chef and feel like i should choose another career becuase of UC i had a lot of sick days off work due to all the medications and hospital visits and was recommended to have a month off work which i did, i seem to now constantly get picked on because of the time off, (even thought i havent had a day off for over 6 months now) my work colleagues do not seem to understand at all and when i try to explain i just get laughed at.

I understand that chefs are mardy and nasty but its hard to deal with. i get a lot of pain in my arms aswell which i am yet to see if this is my UC causing this so i struggle with heavy pans and using my arms all the time.

would just like to see how other people cope with stressful jobs?

Posted 9/26/2011 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
jess, I am sorry you're going through this. I have the same problem when I work fulltime jobs. I am not sure if it's the job or if it's just difficult to work while having this illness. Whether it's in a kitchen or a desk job, it's not acceptable to run to the bathroom every 10 minutes, nor is it acceptable to have to take a month off or have doctors appointments every few days. I recently started working from home. I've been lucky because I work in a field where this is possible but I would imagine any fulltime position is very difficult to handle while dealing with UC. The most important thing is that you heal and get better, you need to get into a good remission so you don't have to worry about UC. I just started feeling better after a year of struggling wth a flare up and unstable health. Today I coud definitely work fulltime without any problems. It sounds to me like you need to focus on finding a treatment that works for you.
Posted 9/26/2011 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not a chef, but thought I would chime in here. I was diagnosed when I was working a stressful job with a terrible boss at an ad agency. A stressful work situation can definitely make UC worse. I highly recommend you look at other job options. What about a home-based catering job? What about working as a personal chef? As you learn more about UC, you might even specialize in cooking for people with autoimmune diseases. Or if you feel you must stick with a full-time chef position, I urge you to at least consider looking for one where your boss and coworkers will be more understanding.
Posted 9/26/2011 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, the thing is is that im still learning about my illness, theres so much i dont understand ... what does remission feel like? i dont even know whether im "flaring or not" lol.
Posted 9/27/2011 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Remission feels like you're "fine" or "Normal". It is different for different people. Some have mild symptoms during remission, maybe a bit of blood on the TP after a BM or mucous in their stools but ideally, you shouldn't have any symptoms whille in remission. If you do have a tiny bit of blood in stool after a BM, usually that is best treated with a rectal suppository or enema becuase the inflammation is probably at the end of the rectum and oral meds do not reach that area.

I was in remission for a year but I always had BMs first thing in the morning, sometimes 2. This remission, I feel very normal. I go when I go, no worries about the toilet in the morning, I can hold it. Do you have frequency? urgency? blood?
Posted 9/28/2011 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Remission is an absence of symptoms. You shouldn't see any blood - unless perhaps you have hemmorhoids - no mucus and no urgency. Stools should be well-formed. No cramping or fever.
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