First person: Having ulcerative colitis, a chronic disease, is a pain in the butt – NorthJersey.com

The rate of colorectal cancer has increased among young adults. Patti Singer

Ulcerative colitis sufferers deal with frequent trips to the bathroom.(Photo: champja, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

When someone tells you they are having a crappy day, if they are like me, theyliterally may be having one.

I have ulcerative colitis.

If youre thinking, what is that? Youre not alone. When I was diagnosed 17 years ago, I had no idea what my doctor was saying when after extensive blood work and a colonoscopy I was given the diagnosis. What is this guy talking about?

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I went home and did my research. And more research. Please heed my advice and dont Google everything, especially when it comes to your health. I was 19, in college, and working part-time, but reading about my condition (there is no cure) and all the side effects (trouble conceiving a child. And I wasnt even sure I wanted kids) upset me.

I had a flare-up in 2013 and posted this photo on social media to show the effect of the medicine I was about to take again.(Photo: Laura Adams Stiansen)

Since being diagnosed there have been many ups (being in remission for years; having the amazing supportof my friends and family) and downs (large welts appearing on my legs making it difficult to walk; losing so much weight that I was less than 100 pounds; gaining an extra 30 pounds due to the medicine I was taking; having to sit in the hospital for hours trying out a new, intravenous drug I can go on and on).

I did not have trouble getting pregnant one of the side effects that worried me when I was first diagnosed. I am a mother to a wonderful little girl.(Photo: courtesy of OBX Family Photography)

Through it all, Ive tried to raise awareness about ulcerative colitis. For the past 12 years, Ive been involved with fundraising efforts with the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). My team, the Beach Bums, has participated in Ocean Citys Guts & Glory 5K for the past 11 years. Its one of my favorite days in the summer seeing so many people support thosewho suffer from these chronic diseases is inspiring. And the team names people come up with tied to the disease are hysterical Party Poppers, Frequent Flushers, Strollin for the Colon and more.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), which include Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, affect as many as 1.6 million Americans, most of whom are diagnosed before age 35. These chronic, life-long conditions can be treated but not cured.

I can go into all the crappy details (pun intended!) about the disease but I wont bore or gross you out. You can find out more at http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org.

I am writing this column because I dont think anyone should feel ashamed of something that is part of them something they are dealing with that might not be the most pleasant thing to talk about.

When I started talking more about my disease, I found other people dealing with similar stomach or intestinal issues. Friends and family thanked me for making them aware of the disease (you never know what someone is dealing with).

How didI found out about my condition? I started having reallybad stomach pains (I called them spasms) while I was sitting in my college classes. Ifinally went to a doctor they thought it was nothing. But after more alarming things started happening with my body, I visited a gastroenterologist who ordered blood work and a colonoscopy (they aren't just for those 50 years old and older).

Having ulcerative colitis doesnt stop me from doing things I love like traveling. My husband and I visited Alaska and climbed a glacier. I was in remission during this trip.(Photo: Laura Adams Stiansen)

He gave me the news and started me on medicine. I still remember my mother filling up one of those pill boxes with all the drugs I now had to take and crying.

Team Beach Bums after the CCFA Guts & Glory 5K last year.(Photo: Laura Adams Stiansen)

So, my point, don't ignore your body when it's trying to tell you something.

Sometimes you just have to laugh.because, well, thats life s%$# happens.

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First person: Having ulcerative colitis, a chronic disease, is a pain in the butt - NorthJersey.com