A few months ago, I was reading through a colitis forum. A poster who had struggled for years with medication and side-effects asked, "Anyone just say forget it, I’m done with the drugs and try and deal with it through diet and healthy living?"
A few responders said "diet and healthy living" worked, but their symptoms were mild. Several said they had tried, but regretted it because their condition deteriorated and they quickly returned to their medications. Most stressed "do what works best for you, but don't compromise your health."
But one poster's response caught my eye:
"UC is not a GI disease. It is an autoimmune disease that primarily manifests in the colon. You cannot eat your way out of an autoimmune disease. Medications are essentially required with UC…like most autoimmune diseases."
It was if someone smacked me alongside the head.
From the beginning, I have thought, I have a poop disease.
I realize now, no, I don't. I have an autoimmune disease.
Wow. How did I not see that? How does that change things? Does it change anything?
Well, yes. First, when someone asks about my health, I say, "I have ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease, where my immune system attacks my colon causing bleeding ulcers." Some people respond differently now, when they hear the words "autoimmune disease." They may not know what ulcerative colitis is, but they understand what "autoimmune disease" means.
Second, I am more diligent when it comes to, not just my health, but the health of those around me. If I'm sitting in a meeting and the person in front of me starts coughing, I waste no time masking up, protecting my body and its wonky immune system. Before, when I had a "poop" disease, I didn't give someone coughing much thought. (Except for grandkids. Don't get me wrong, I love my grandchildren, but young children are just brimming with cold and flu germs.)
Third, and this kind of goes with the first thing, people are more aware around me. Before, my "stomach problem" was not enough reason for someone feeling under the weather to avoid me. But knowing I have an autoimmune condition, if they have even slight symptoms of a cold or flu, they are more inclined to keep their distance.
Fourth, there are way more people living with an autoimmune condition verses ulcerative colitis. Therefore, that means there are more supportive and understanding people out there than I thought.
Fifth, and this may sound silly, but my self-narrative is better. Having an "autoimmune disease" feels so much better than having a "poop disease." Even if I have to occasionally wear a diaper. Seriously.
Over the years, I have had several "change in perspective" moments. It is like driving through a canyon, going over a hill, and having the whole valley suddenly appear before you in a beautiful, vast, vista view.
It often takes your breath away.
So are those times when my perspective changes. And this is one of them.
© Colitis Senioritis 2023
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