I am a 26 year old mother of triplets who has been diagnosed with Proctitis. Can anyone relate to my story and give me some much needed advice?
Six years ago I got married and got on the birth control Microgestin, immediately I did not feel like myself (but never made the connection to the birth control). After about 8 months on the drug I was suffering with severe mental depression and daily diarrhea that impaired me greatly. I was nearing a mental, physical, and emotional breakdown. After finally reading the warning signs on the box, I realized this pill might be causing my troubles. I immediately quit taking Microgestin and headed to my Gynecologist. He tried to put me on a milder form, same reaction. This attempt to put me back on birth control continued for several months until I demanded the madness to stop. In the process, my ovaries quit working and I was told I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I headed to a Gastro to see about the diarrhea and had a routine Colonoscopy and Upper GI. Diagnosis: IBS and a very acidic stomach. For the next four years I dealt with what I was told was IBS. The depression had promptly stopped once I got off the birth control, but the bouts with diarrhea continued 1-3 times a week. Then, came part 2...trying to have children. I was told fertility drugs were the way to go, so we proceeded down that path. Three little blessings (at once) did follow along with a host of medical problems. During pregnancy, I had no trouble with diarrhea but had a constant, nagging pain under my right rib cage that has never gone away (2 1/2 years post-delivery). Post-pregnancy the diarrhea continued now on a daily basis (2-5 times) daily and mostly before 11:00 am. One gastro put me on dicyclomine with no colonoscopy and sent me on my way. Four months later and not much improvement I went to a different doctor. She did a colonoscopy and found I have mild proctitis. Prescription Lialda was prescribed. From the very first pill, my diarrhea subsided (this was May). 6 weeks into treatment I had a week of persistent diarrhea and got pretty discouraged. Then, about 2 weeks of feeling good. Now, the pain under my rib cage has increased and the diarrhea is back.
Two weeks ago, my doctor was suspecting gallbladder disease. Ultrasound showed no stones.
My question to anyone that could help: Are these symptoms classic ulcerative colitis symptoms? Is there a connection to chronic gallbladder disease and proctitis? Can severe hormone imbalance actually cause colon and gallbladder inflammation?
I would just like to hear your story.