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Absolutely no one:
Me: Hello
it's that time of year again where I talk about my bowels because it's almost the end of #CrohnsAndColitisAwarenessWeek (1/?)
Absolutely no one:
Me: Hello
it's that time of year again where I talk about my bowels because it's almost the end of #CrohnsAndColitisAwarenessWeek (1/?)
Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) are forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). IBD is different to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), as the pic below explains 
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in Feb 2002, 3 months before my 12th birthday. There is currently no cure for UC. I have lived with it for 18 yrs. Below are some of the symptoms I experience when I'm having a severe flare up (approx twice a yr)
I have been receiving treatment at the IBD Department of The Royal London Hospital since 2002 and I think each member of that team should be paid a billion pound bonus. They have delivered outstanding care to me for the past 18 years. 
Up until 2019, I took azathioprine tablets daily to help control my symptoms. I also used Foam Enemas before bed ( #sexy) which occasionally helped. If things were too severe, I'd be prescribed Prednisolone steroids, but they began sending me into depressive spirals age 18+
I have written about the steroid induced depression I've experienced from age 18+ before. You can read about it in detail below (it's sad but I make jokes too 
) https://bobbybloggins.com/2019/05/19/steroids-a-total-write-off/
) https://bobbybloggins.com/2019/05/19/steroids-a-total-write-off/
Fortunately, I am now off the azathioprine & the steroids completely. In 2019 I started bi-monthly intravenous infusions of a drug called Vedolizumab. I've been on it for over a year now & up until recently, I was living 
SYMPTOM FREE BABY
More info on Vedo in this pic
SYMPTOM FREE BABY More info on Vedo in this pic
I am currently experiencing mild UC symptoms while on Vedo for the first time in 12 months, but this is NOTHING compared to what I used to put up with daily from ages 12-29. Vedolizumab is a LIFECHANGER. This must be what ppl with normal bowels feel like. You Lucky bastards.
Like most people who live with a chronic illness, UC doesn't define me, but it does impact my life. The shit that I've put up with...
The only good thing about having UC is that I'm now the go-to-gal for friends if they're worried about their own bowel health.
The only good thing about having UC is that I'm now the go-to-gal for friends if they're worried about their own bowel health.
Being able to reassure or advise friends about what to do if you start shitting blood makes me feel like living with this godforsaken illness has actually been worth it
If you stayed until the end of this thread, THANK YOU! If you have any questions about UC, fire them over to me. I've a lot of shitty stories to share! If you'd like to ask me out on a date after seeing me talk so candidly about my bowels, that's cool. Yes, I am single...
BUT, I'm not accepting any date offers until 2021 after I've had the Covid19 vaccination. I didn't shield during Lockdown 0.1 & 0.2 for NOTHING. Kind regards, my suppressed immune system. 
