How old were you when you were diagnosed?

Hi,

 I'm 54 and was diagnosed with UC on May 20th this year. I'm really not sure what to think at the moment. I'm reading as much as I can and going on forums like this for guidance.

Regards

Ashley

I'm 22. Diagnosed in March 2018. I isolated myself from a lot people well before my diagnosis. My symptoms started in October 2017. I think due to my age it's hard to know what people will think of your illness and how they will treat once you tell them, hence why I thought it would be easier to just suffer in silence.

Hi. 

I was diagnosed in 2009 aged 41 I don't believe age is related more just we are unlucky as to who gets it .Hope you all stay symptom free and enjoy life to the max.

I was diagnosed at the age of 14.  I am 61 now.  Colitis marred all my young adult life with constant flare ups.  I would have one real bad one ever two years ending up in hospital.  At the age of 22. I spent 10 weeks in hospital in a side ward having blood transfusions, pint after pint as the bleeding would not stop.  I think the staff and I believed I would die.  Eventually the bleeding stopped.  The condition played havoc with my early working life as a hairdresser.  It did not stop me and I managed 30 years doing the job I loved.  I never really liked going out much as I always needed to know were the nearest loo was.  I had occasions traveling to work were my back passage would open up.  Get of at the next stop and walk home.  this continued until I had a massive flareup in December 1989.  Christmas eve I had my colon and large intestine removed.  Unfortunately the surgeon who did the op died that very week.  I was supposed to have a bag for 12 weeks then be joined up.  The surgeon had formed a phows poch in my small intestine.  The idea to give me a functioning system with out the bag.  I was one of the first 25 people to have this operation in the country.  It took two years before a new surgeon was on board whom could finish the op.

Complete success.  Around 30 years of near perfect control.   Not so good these days on control.  But that's down to IPF medication and having a lung transplant nearly 5 years ago.  Its back to wearing pads for the odd leak but its not bad.  The NHS do keep an eye on it. 

Colitis is not easy to live with and I feel I missed a lot of my last years at school.   Unable to play sport as I was always to week most of the time.  I was good at running before Colitis struck and not a bad goal keeper.  All I can say is never give up on your dreams. Talk about Colitis.  Its not the end of the world its part of our very special lives.

I was diagnosed 10years ago at the age of 42. I suffered with UC for 6years each year / month getting worse & worse.. The gaps between each flare up getting closer & closer together & lasting for longer each time. In sept 2015 i had an emergency operation to remove my bowel, saving my life. It was the best thing id ever had done & even though it was the toughest time of my life & the recovery was long, once i was back on my feet it gave me my life back. A stoma gor me has been fantastic, ive had some tough times but have had no regrets ever. My life is the best its ever been. Its a tough operation but the results are amazing, onwards & upwards. Stay positive & NO, poor me, or what ifs.... POSITIVITY is tge only way forward. Good luck to you all. X

Hello,  I was in mid 20s when I was diagnosed with UC, after taking indomethacin suppositories for Ankylosin spondylitis , was controlled  by sulphalazine for years then mesalazine Which I seemed to be getting immune  to and lost controlling UC. Next drug was asathiprine took for one week ended in hospital for a week full of infection.

Own GP said then think about ileostomy  had it done Dec 2007 be keyhole op large intestine totally removed unreversable, no leeks never looked back still farming at 59 year's. If offered ileostomy take it. No pain I in control feel better than ever.

@farmermanie 

Hi I was diagnosed  with UC when I was 32   23 years ago  my initial symptoms was increased visits to toilet  .My GP just thought  it was just upset stomach but I knew something was wrong as I never had any bowel stomach problems etc after 3 weeks I had a really bad attack lots of blood etc and was diagnosed  after that I have had a no of flare ups since then last one was 2017 and now I have had a flare up for over 4 weeks  the worst ever for me lots of bleeding  on bland diet since the start have been on asacol for a long time and now on Octasa on full no of tablets I am working at home as our office is close  thank God as I could not go into work  urgent need to get to bathroom within seconds it's the worst I ever had also on foam enema. Maybe stress triggered it as I have asthma and fall into vulnerable group also on any depressants and was off work from July -Dec exhausted a lot of time but go out walking with my dogs once a day have lost weight  my GP after giving me a short period of steroids  sent me to A&E 2 weeks ago  it was so stressful as I have not been in contact with anyone except my family they took bloods rectal examination and requested My GP put to refer me to my gastro consultant  which is what i asked for in first place !! Finally got on touch with colitis nurse who prescribed enemas  feel GP have poor understanding of UC I hope to see some improvement 

I was diagnosed in my early 20s. I remember at the time being relieved at finally having a diagnosis but also being a bit embarrassed and not wanting to tell people. I had a colectomy in 2017 and it's been life-changing. Definitely worth the scary surgery and recovery. 

Diagnosed at 42, last year after 9 months of symptoms and multiple tests. Apart from a 14 day hospital stay initially and two brief flare ups since, I've been generally well, thankfully. Hopefully this will continue.