Isn't it crazy.....

That something as "sacred" and "private" as your butt, that you have no qualm about posting about it???

When I first joined HW, I was so embarrassed about it, that I had such a hard time asking ANYTHING. But after being here for so many years, that not only do I not blink an eye when talking about it, but when someone in my life talks about it, I'm quite blunt! lol

So this post is more or less for our "lurkers". I know we have A LOT of lurkers out there, so please....step on up and introduce yourselves

Lol, yeah I try to watch myself too. Not everyone wants to hear about you peeing blood out of your tush. However, my closest friends never know what I'm going to say next so after years of training, they don't blink an eye either ;)

Hey Red and Everyone,

I'm one of the "lurkers". Your thread actually gave me the last bump I needed to dive in. Ill start with a little about my UC background.

Well almost 3 years ago I was starting my 4th and final deployment as a Marine to Afghanistan. I was going through some personal stress as well and was just in a generally rough patch in life. Anyway, I landed in our staging base and went to take a dump after 3 days of airplane food and wouldn't you know, I saw some blood. I initially chalked it up to constipation or just highly processed food. As I got in Afghan and time went on the blood and pain became more frequent and worse. After several weeks I swallowed my pride and went to medical. I got a finger up the rear and some stool softeners and was on my way. Weeks went by with nothing but progressive pain and blood. It was crippling. I went back and they gave me a flex sig. Diagnosed me with proctitis and said if it didn't go away or got worse I'd be on my way to Germany and off the remainder of the deployment, which was a non-option for me.

Fast forward 10 months. I get back from the det, still in serious pain and tons of blood. I can hardly sleep and I was eating a ton but twice as much was coming out. I went to the VA and started my disability claim process and they told me I just had a fissure and got more softeners. Somehow about 4 months later I went into what I now know as remission.

Fast forward another year, this is now about 2 years after initial symptoms. I'm stressed at work and get the pain and blood back. This time this flare comes on harder and faster. I find myself getting a colonoscopy. Apparently I was so inflamed they could only get about 1/3 into my colon because I was uncomfortable during the procedure (I don't remember anything). They bring me out and I'm in so much pain they fear they perforated and get emergency x-rays, then I farted and was fine haha. I was diagnosed with moderate/severe UC. Needless to say that's tough news to a 25 Marine who did 6 years of active duty and 4 deployments.

So here I am finishing up about a 10 month flare. It's taken a while because I don't treat it as aggressively. I've gone back and forth with my Doc about the side affects of meds and only take Pentasa (got severe headaches from Asacol) and tried the retention enemas for a week but flared worse and stopped. I just started probiotics (not sure of the name, it starts with an "L") and it seems like a miracle how much of an effect it's had. It has come at a perfect time too. My wife is 20 weeks prego and is currently in grad-school, I work full time and go to school full time at nights and also joined the reserves (which I don't like). But overall moral is good and I just keep trying to stay positive.

I tried watching what I eat and juice fasts and some other stuff to no avail. I've just sort of come to the conclusion that a flare will stop when it's good and ready. Prednisone definitely speeds it up. I had to be on it 4 separate times this year to control bleeding.

Finally, I've been lurking these forums for months now and I just want to say thank you to all of you. Knowing I'm not alone in this struggle makes the difference for me. It's kept me sane and gives me hope.

Well hi there Rabbit! I'm glad you stepped up and shared your story :) First of all, I need to say....thank you for serving your country! Second, we are glad to have you here, but sorry for the circumstances. If you should have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask okay?

Wow, Rabbit, that is quite a UC history! Glad you made it back stateside after being in such a dangerous deployment. It sounds like you developed pancolitis, not fun. The VA is likely NOT the best medical source to help you treat it. Best wishes for you to get it under control w/o steroids, which have many side effects. / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

Wow, I thought they always treat Marines with best possible healthcare, at least thats how they tout on national TV. Glad rabbit that you are fine now..

I remember my early days, since my lingo is different than the natives here, I couldn't decipher BM or D. I even asked a question but the mods deleted it. Now, its 'crystal clear'. :)

Delta, if I remember right, your question wasn't just deleted for the heck of it...it violated a rule

Welcome to the forum Rabbit and thank you for serving your country and sharing your story. I can't even imagine how horrible it would be to be flaring while being a Marine deployed overseas. I do understand it though as my husband is a former Marine. Ooorah!

Thank for the welcoming, all. I look forward to joining in on the convo's. good luck to everyone and hope remission comes soon!

Yeah, I totally agree...being able to talk freely on here about our butt issues (among other things) is quite liberating. I mean, who else can TOTALLY get it ya know? :)