So I had a pretty rough May. I got very sick and didn't really know why, but I had the same exact symptoms of when I thought I had food poisoning in Sept. I couldn't believe that I would get food poisoning this bad again. Since I hate going to the doctor so much I tried to ride it out. But after not getting any better for 3 weeks I broke down and went to the doctor. That was a horrible experience. He prescribed me unnecessary antibiotics which I am fairly certain made me way sicker. After not getting better and to 2 more doctors appointments, I was finally referred to a specialist. I diagnosed myself on WEBMD I was pretty sure it was ulcerative colitis so if was just a matter of getting the treatment. The specialist was also thinking it was UC but it needed to be confirmed before treatment could begin.
Now it gets worse. The way it was going to be confirmed was by putting me to sleep and sticking a long camera in my butt. I was fearing this all along. Before the procedure I had to fast to 24 hours and drink 2 liters of this stuff that tasted like spit and lemon scented toilet cleaner. I couldn't do it and I never thought it could be so hard. The procedure confirmed that it was UC and I was prescribed the necessary medicines.
Now it gets worse. The medicines consist of 10 pills a day for pretty the rest of my life. Now the worst part, I was prescribed cream that I have to squirt in my butt before going to sleep and leave it in all night while trying not to fart it out. Followed by pooping it out the morning and I am supposed to do that every day for 3 months. It was so unpleasant that I could only do it 3 times. As soon as I felt a little better I stopped that because you know what really made me feel better, NOT DOING THAT! I'll take the pills which still seems crazy to me but I have to draw the line somewhere. Well I was feeling better and having to take 10 pills a day was crazy. I couldn't believe I really needed to take them and have to forever. So I decided after drinking 3 drinks and eating a huge meal, at Stew's Disneyland Wedding, and not getting sick that I couldn't really have UC and quit taking the medicine.
Now it gets worse. I am feeling good and going though the day to day. Then I get the worst piece of mail I have ever received. It was a letter to follow up with my illness with giardia. WTF!?! The next line of the letter is amazing. "Giardia is a PARASITE." OK WTF for real because one why didn't the doctor tell me this and two how the hell did I get that. So this letter, to confirms that I don't need my UC medication because I can't believe that I am really unlucky enough to end up with UC and giardia.
Now it gets worse. Giardia, like e-coli or salmonella, are reportable illness which are investigated by the county health. Meaning that I am being investigated and since I handle food I am very fearful of being patient zero of some sort parasitic outbreak. While I was being interviewed by the investigator I tell her my doctor never told I had giardia and I am pretty sure I haven't been treated. She tells me that it likely I still have it and need to provide 3 samples of giardia free poop in order to be cleared. She was required to notify my job about the situation. After talking to the investigator I call my doctor to ask WTF? Well my punk ass doctor won't talk to me. The receptionist says she talk to me at my appointment which is 6 days away. Here is where I lose it. I hang up on the lady and am so angry. The investigator knew I had a parasite 6 days before I did. I was so so confused and had so many questions. I had no idea if I still had it. Did I need treatment? Could I really have both UC and gairdia? Do I really need to take 10 pills a day for the rest of life? That question was top at the list because 3 days after I quit the medicine I got sick again.
Now it gets worse. The investigator went to my house to drop off cups for me to put the poop samples in. On the bag it says to wait 48 hrs after finishing treatment to collect the samples. TREATMENT!!!!! What treatment? My doctor didn't even tell me I had giardia never mind treat me for it. My doctors appointment comes and I really expecting her to say that I don't really have UC and the giardia caused my illness and with some medication this whole thing will be over. Rather then living with a life long autoimmune disease. The doctor comes in and I have giardia and need to take very strong antibiotics that kill protozoa. I am also the only patient my doctor has ever had that has tested positive for giardia. So of course my first question is did the giardia cause my problem. The doctor shoots that down right away.
Now it gets worse. The doctors tells me that I have both. The parasites are living in my upper intestine and the UC is in the lower. Well no wonder I felt so bad!!! While most people have UC only at the end of the intestine and some have it on 1 side, I have pancolitis which means I have it in my ENTIRE lower intestine and not one part is normal. Also it would take about six months to heal. LAME!
Now it gets better. I am feeling much better although not 100%. The antibiotic (which brings me daily pill count to 13 btw) are messing with my concentration. I have since burnt the shit out of both my hands in a freak peanut brittle accident. I burnt 3 racks of ribs after lowering the temp but not hitting the enter button. So the ribs cooked at 350 for like 5 hours. And tripped in a hole while walking on the beach. Thankfully I am done with the antibiotic this week. I am still taking the 10 pills but I can't bring myself to do anymore ass cream treatments.
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