Dealing with Ulcerative Colitis as a Teen Attending High School

In a recent article I touched on battling ulcerative colitis from my teens to my thirties. I discussed my symptoms when it began, and how I felt, down to when I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. When this opportunity came up for discussing ulcerative colitis and school I thought it would give me the opportunity to go more in depth to the emotional strain ulcerative colitis can cause. The physical can be stressful, but the emotional effects can be just as harsh.

After having major back surgery in the 1970's my body never fully recovered. As I started middle school there started an issue with my stomach. In one day I had diarrhea 2 to 3 times a day, and discomfort that was so intense at times I could not stand laying down. No amount of anti-diarrheals helped. My mom thought it was the way I was eating as I was quite overweight at this time. But, when my eating turned finicky my mom grew worried, and I was taken for tests.

I was diagnosed with Proctosigmoiditis, one type of ulcerative colitis. This type causes painful cramps, pain in your side and rectal bleeding.

My doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, and it helped with the inflammation, but it did not really help the attacks. I was put on a different diet of less meats, no raw vegetables and just all around foods that were more bland. This was not easy for me as I loved potato chips, soda, burgers, and pizza. My school days were also changing since all this started.

It was hard enough attending school as a disabled teen, but now I had an added issue to deal with, ulcerative colitis. While at school I relied on a caregiver to feed me lunch, and write for me in class. She was very kind. But, when my ulcerative colitis flared up at school she was put through her paces. My attacks could and often did, happen when in class. The cramps would come and before I could warn my caregiver, the diarrhea started. She would rush me to the bathroom as quickly as possible, but 8 times out 10, we never made it. I ended up going home wearing my jeans, but no underwear.

As my high school years started I became withdrawn. In middle school I knew all the places to hide, but our high school was bigger. What was worse was being in with the seniors, football players, and no places I knew to hide.

I begged my mom to let me stay home, but she was always determined I would make it through the day. It seems unless you have ulcerative colitis you don't understand the effects, or the attacks and the fact you can't hold it when the cramps hit. My mom was not big on us kids staying home unless we had a high fever and a runny nose. What she failed to understand was I was tired of getting yelled at when I came home after messing myself. So, I did my best during the day, sometimes making up excuses as to why I did not want lunch. My caregiver never questioned.

One thing that was questioned by my caregiver whom I trusted more than anyone, was my school work that was suffering. When suffering with colitis sometimes the attacks are all you think about. Sure, I did my homework, and went to my classes, but during flare ups my concentration was down to nothing. Having to leave classes early was not working. I felt like I was failing. So, something needed to change. During my lunch hours on days I had flare ups, I would spend my time in the library. Here I would catch up using extra notes my teachers were willing to supply. At least I was starting to be able to maintain a "B" average.

As I started making friends in high school, I enjoyed that tremendously. Until I couldn't go out to lunch with them and eat burgers and fries. They did not understand that. Sometimes they thought I just didn't want to be with them. Little did they know I was fearful of leaving the school grounds because I had diarrhea so many times a day. I just could not tell my friends of my condition. My fear outweighed their friendship, and part of me knew they would understand.

Well, one evening my friends invited me to a football game. I was desperate to go. My parents said they would drop me off at the gate. This way I could take my electric wheelchair. I was so excited. Before leaving I went to the bathroom, and did my best to do everything I needed to do. My parents dropped me off and I met my friends at the high school football gate. We had a blast. They bought me hot chocolate, and a hot dog. It was a blast. My body did it's best to stay calm, but just before it was time to go home, my side began hurting. I spent the last part of the evening hiding my cramp pain. I was so relieved seeing my dad drive up in the van. After I went to bed that night, I was at least grateful for the fun memories I had of that night.

During my worst attacks at high school I did my utmost to hide my pain when the cramps occurred. I tried even harder to steer clear of other students. It was quite embarrassing to me when I did not get to the bathroom in time and then had to spend the rest of my day feeling unclean. My caregiver did her best to assist me, but I always had to wonder if anyone knew that I had an accident.

One day one of my friends who was actually quite caring, pulled me aside and dragged out of me what was going on. A little hesitant, I told her about my colitis. And to my surprise she gave me the biggest hug and told me she completely understood. She was a little angry that I never told her as she was my friend and would never judge me. In finally telling someone I felt so much relief. Someone knew finally why I was afraid to leave school grounds, and why I was too scared to attend football games. Someone finally understood at school why at times I needed to hide in the bathroom.

Something else came of telling a friend at school, ideas on how to control the emotional effects of my colitis attacks. When my caregiver put me to the bathroom and I could not make it in time, my friend suggested baby wipes instead of ordinary toilet paper. The wipes not only helped with clean-up, but it diminished the odor. Another item that became necessary, was sanitary pads. The pads protected my underwear and could be easily changed.

Ulcerative colitis flare ups can be quite hard as a teen in school. It's so important for parent's to talk to their teen and to really listen if their teen is becoming depressed. Parents too need to try and put themselves in the shoes of their teen. What's more important, a teen needs to try and have a normal time at school, but should never be pushed to do activities that could cause discomfort.

Today there are treatments out there that can help your teen with this condition. Talk to your doctor and follow a good diet plan. Also, if possible, don't let colitis slow you down even though it can be difficult.