Newbie from Nova Scotia

[PemaTrime]

I have probably had colitis for forty years, but didn't really know it. I had a few flares that led to colonoscopies and health professionals telling me they weren't sure - maybe irritable bowel. Then I'd be fine for ages and just forget about it. This March I travelled by bus to spend two nights with a pal at a hotel. I was feeling fine until about ten pm on the last night. Then I had a full night of grinding pain, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. I had to call my husband the following morning to drive 4 hours to get me - bus not an option. A day later I was in emergency. It was the early days of covid so lots of questions about travel etc... Finally they gave me an MRI saying they suspected diverticulitis, but changed that to colitis after seeing the pics. It took me about a week to feel human. Since then I've had one flare up - painful but not nearly as bad, no blood, no vomiting. Not sure what has caused my flare ups in the past. I always believe it to be a sensitivity to elements in the water - have lived in many places with arsenic (gold mining towns) but never have seen this discussed. I'm 68 years old and I am determined to deal with this as best I can. Came here because I was on a forum for people getting full hip replacements and it was so helpful.

[SORRELHIPPO]

Welcome, I am a Crohn's patient in England, usually only write anything if I feel I know something useful. Hope you do get what you need from this site.

[PemaTrime in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Thanks for responding!

[Pippins2]

Hi this sounds very similar to me .I joined here last night whilst going through another bout of whatever this is .I was told IBS years ago but i am sceptical due to the amount of blood i loose and severity of attacks .Like you i can go ages between bouts and hope its gone away then bang with very little warning i get another attack .I went to A&E once but they just said it will be a bug which i doubt i keep on getting bugs ! I am in the UK .Lets hope we get some answers soon x

[PemaTrime in reply to Pippins2]

Yes, mysterious ailments. Perhaps it is our inclination to want a diagnosis that is a problem. And the health professionals antithesis for ssying "I don't know".