Alright, so this is my rant.

Why do some people seem to take life so carelessly and still fly by with no health problems what-so-ever? Here I see people smoking, inhaling fast food etc. and they are still healthy. They have never been diagnosed with anything and they seem so careless. They seem like they could care less of their body and their life.

Then you have me (and I'm sure I'm not the only one). I was first diagnosed with UC a week before my 18th birthday. These last three years have been filled with surgeries, an ostomy, bronciactasis (inflammation of the bronchioles. It causes me to cough quite a bit and I bring up a lot of thick, green mucus), psorasis (which I cured on my own by completely going off of suger), anemia and just recently, my sodium levels have been so low that I was dizzy, nauseated, feverish, etc.

For some of these issues I have faced recently, I have diagnosed and "cured" myself (psoriasis anemia and sodium levels). For my other health problems, I have gone to a few doctors who have misdiagnosed me. (They all thought Colitis was a parasite and my bronchiactasis was asthma, allergies, etc.) It took awhile for me to find a doctor to find the right diagnosis and the right cure.

I just can't understand why some things are so hard for people to diagnose. I mean, bronchiactasis is apparently very common with people who have had the J-Pouch. Every problem I have had in my body is linked. They are all caused by my inflammatory disorder, so when I continune feeling ill, why is that not the first thing that doctors look at?

I am a firm believer in the phrase "you know your body best." Yes, I know that we would all be dead if it wasn't for doctors and surgeons and they are really great people. I just wish that the medical field would teach doctors to look at the root of the problem. I wish that they could just get along with the other alternate medical practices that are offered.

So if any of you have any advice on how I can combat all my problems as one main issue (I exercise and eat healthly... no sugar, veggies, etc.) that healp would be greatly appreciated. I just wish that my body would give itself a break and I could live with no health worries.

Thanks for listening... getting this off my shoulders really does help.

I hear ya, lyd! It really burns me when people abuse their bodies and 'give' their health away when there are so many people who would give anything to get their health back. We all know a child with bad asthma and we all know someone with a two pack a day smoking habit. Most people have to be really ill to know how precious good health is. I exercise and eat healthily and people turn their nose up at what I'm eating (a salad!?!) and think that I'm obsessive. They take their health for granted, and I try my hardest not to.

As for advice, if you're eating healthy food and exercising, you're doing well. One thing to take into consideration is stress. Keep your stress levels as low as you can.

Good luck,

Suzanne

I am in complete agreement with you. After being diagnosed with UC, I was then diagnosed with diabetes that was caused by the predisone. I then was diagnosed with bronchiectasis also. It took six months to figure out it was not asthma. So it would definately be nice if sometimes doctors didn't just look at the obvious and actually pay attention to what you are trying to tell them. It is frustrating to me to have three diseases although I have always tried to take care of myself. While other people do whatever to their bodies and are fine. I now have an ileostomy and my bronchiectasis is under control so I am feeling better. But I am now a paranoid person everytime I have a twinge of pain or don't feel good. I hope that you are feeling more in control of your health as I am.

During one of my long bouts of hospitalization (no health insurance here in France at the time!) someone with a good heart but a somewhat misguided sense of priorities sent a Rabbi's wife in to council me(I needed health insurance not God insurance! )
She was about my age (27) and blissfully healthy and did not know what to say to me..when she asked if I ever asked God, "why me" my answer was 'Why not me?'
I am now almost 48 and have had dozens of surgeries, too many diseases to count and too many body parts thrown in the hospital dumpster....Yes, I yell and scream at my hubby (a perfectly healthy specimen who takes no care of himself!) when he kvetches about his feet or back or skin...but in the end it is just a lotery...if God does not give it to us then we just give it to ourselves...at least we know the value of good health and try our best to preserve it...
I do not know why we all have to live through this hell but if nothing else...we've got eachother!
Sharon