[Paradigm]

I was diagnosed with UC in the summer before High school...so summer of 05'. I was in the hospital for a week, but totally out of it for at least a month. They put me on everything, finally, prednisone worked. Only for a short while. About february into my freshman year, i went through another flare up. I was already failing due to missing so much school first semester. So that stress along with the flare up probably made things worse. Once again hospitalized for about a week, this time i needed blood transfusion. I missed school from pretty much end of February all the way through march. Dropped all but one class (im very good at math). This time it was much worse. I had cramps like i never had. some so painful it caused me to vomit a few times. So i was extremly dehydrated.

When in the hospital a second time, they put me on remacaid. It worked wonders. Havent had a flare up in the past 2 years and only going in once every 8 weeks for another treatment. No more steroids, no more methyltrexate (cant stand the smell of rubbing alcohol anymore. makes me want to puke). i feel energetic. I thought i had it bad, but reading these stories on here makes me feel lucky that i only had it bad about 2 times. but, i do know what all of you are going through.

The one thing i hate about UC is trying to explain it to people. most people ask "oh, so like ben stiller in along came polly?" and i have to explain its much more serious. Im not uncomfortable about it, its just people dont realize what i/we face.

Only smoked a few times, dont see how it would make a difference, so guess i cant request it.

I wish everyone good luck with their disease.