hi there. it is a really horrible and upsetting disease, so don't be hard on yourself for feeling depressed. it is hard to read everything on the web too. I will tell you though - you need to keep trying to find a medication that works for you - it is one of the only ways (plus diet) to get better. don't be scared and invest in your health. it can get better. many people on here will tell you!

Hi, try to get a system in place for your meds, so that it's easier to stay in track. Pill boxes, alarms, whatever works. I know when aI was first diagnosed, I was taking meds several times a day. I had to really stay on top of it because it was so easy to miss a dose. Keep your GI doc in the loop if things are getting worse. For me, when I'm in clinical remission, food is not an issue; I eat what I want to eat. When I'm sick some foods bother me. It's kind of a trial and error thing.

Depression is in part from having active disease. Once things are more controlled, you will start to feel better, sleep better, eat better, your blood counts will improve, etc which will make you over all feel healthier.

You will be ok. Just hang in there. The disease does not have to define you or your life.

I was ciagnised with Uc almost 7 years ago and ma on 3 differennnt meds and still go at leaxt 5 times a day. It is a horrible diesease but I am managing to work a part tiem job and still get out once ina while. Pleae do whatever you can to make sure you take your meds, it's very important and watch what you eat. It is different for everyone but try and stay away from fried foods and spicy foods and I was told no nuts or corn, too hard to digest. I know I can't eat raw veggies either, they really cause some pain but others can so it really is trial and error. If somethinngg causes pain stop eating it, there is no set foods to eat, you have to see what your body can handle but the mds have to be taken!! I suffer from bouts of depression too, it's nnot uncommon with a disease mjust know that it can get better and you can still oive your life...Best of luck!!

I am curious how old you are? The way that you talks makes me feel like you're young.. Or maybe that is the feeling I get because I was diagnosed as a teenager.

I first started experiencing symptoms at 14. I hid all of it from my family. As I began to lose weight I just started wearing baggier clothes to try to hide it. I was only diagnosed because I tagged along on a doctors appointment for my sister and my doctor was appalled at my paleness and how out of breath I was. My resting heartrate was 160 and my hemoglobin was down to 55. I was immediately hospitalized and given my first blood transfusion. I had passed out at school, and was in and out of the bathroom all day, in pain and generally feeling unwell.
Once I was diagnosed and we found a medication that worked for me I started gaining weight back and was feeling better. As a teenager, I found that when you are feeling good, it is very hard to remember that you're sick and you need medication. I used to set reminders and turn them off without taking it. Now I find that it is easiest if I keep my medicine close to me. I like to eat dinner on the couch in front of the tv, so I keep my medicine on the coffee table in front of me and I remember to take it with my dinner. Once I started Remicade it was easier as the medication is given through IV and I didn't have to worry about taking anything anymore.

When you're feeling sick it is easy to feel down. It's hard because it takes up so much of your life. You are constantly in need of breaks and knowing where bathrooms are at all times. I feel like a burden to people that I am out with because I may not want to continue with things or even go in the first place. As time goes on you learn how to manage your feelings and you learn how to manage with a disease that isn't always easy. I have had UC for 14 years. I can tell you that as silly as it sounds, you get used to it. You get used to the way your body reacts to things and you can predict what might happen sometimes.

Unfotunately Firefly is right ,after quite a few years you just learn what you can do and what you can't and learn to live with it, there is life after the diagnosis, hanng in there...Hugs