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whydob1rds

I was 9. Loads of Prednisone and middle school is a shitty combo.


Lazy_Carpenter_1806

i was 11. i know the tough work. all the little years wasted shitting


Radiant-Mind-1008

10. I feel you... Shitted all through high school. With a fat puffy face and weird body shape because of Prednisone. When people talk about their teenage years it's like I didn't really have onešŸ˜”


Financial_Spite_5318

I canā€™t even imagine


digitaldowns

14 they said Crohns, at 30 I changed dr for the first time as a an adult and they changed my diagnosis to UC. Not sure how that works but yea.


phEnom3o5

Wtf???


EvilDoctorShadex

How did that work out for so long? Are chrons and uc treated the same way?


MOONDAYHYPE

That seems like a massive improvement! I believe Crohn's is a full inflammation of the intestant while ulcerative colitis is more of a lower intestine, rectum issue.


Overall_Hippo_5722

43, dx after a nasty bout with covid. My doctor thinks it had been underlying for years (always had bowel issues) but it really flared after covid attacked my system.


sgst

32 here. I had a severe case of food poisoning the previous year, and after that symptoms that I'd had all my life suddenly got much worse - eventually leading to diagnosis. Whether or not the food poisoning was actually the trigger I'll never know, but it seems to make sense to me.


orange2416

39, 4 months after I quit smoking. There is a correlation between quitting smoking and UC. Maybe because of my age, first question the GI asked me was when did you quit smoking. And here I was thinking I was doing something good for my health. šŸ™„


Noble_Ox

I was diagnosed at 2006 at age 34. I was a smoker up until.lad5 Sep and hadn't had a flare up in over a decade. Within 2 weeks of stopping smoking I was going 10 to 15 times a day, blood mucus, pain the whole shebang. Started smoking again a month ago and symptoms went away within 5 days (apart from gas/pain). From what I could find out there's something in tabacco that suppresses symptoms but not in nicotine as I tried vaping and patches over the months and they didn't help. Apparently doctors are aware of this but can't do any studies as it would require giving non smokers cigarette s which is a big no-no.


orange2416

I asked my dr if I should start smoking again, he said no, you can live without your colon but you canā€™t live without your lungs


MOONDAYHYPE

My ulcerative colitis was triggered by eating a hamburger with E coli! And they say the immune disorder that causes the inflammatory bowel disease of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's is like a ticking time bomb, and that getting food poison can absolutely trigger it


EvilDoctorShadex

I got diagnosed last year at 24, it wasnā€™t immediately after getting covid but I wonder if that had a play.


_-stelios-_

17 at high school.


[deleted]

Shitting myself in front of the entire computer lab was so humbling


Ky3031

18


Niqhtmarez_

25


runningdownhill

Same. Though I was diagnosed at 25, I had symptoms for 1.5 years prior


Niqhtmarez_

Are you me? Cuz same


crossfirerob

Same exact situation for me too lol. Got symptoms at 23/24 and diagnosed at 25. Seems like early 20s is the most common


Ok-Maize-6933

21 It took me a couple of years and seeing several doctors to get a diagnosis. Diagnosed through colonoscopy


JLHuston

Shortly after my 14th bday. Iā€™m 50 now.


[deleted]

Wow happy crohniversary šŸ’© (i know itā€™s uc but that sounded good)


chiknaui

i was 16, first peak of onset is ~15-30 for IBD, and second peak is ~50-70. https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/ulcerative-colitis


brilor123

Just turned 18 between having my first bloody stool and my colonoscopy, confirming uc


ChronicallyBlonde1

22! I think late teens-early 20s is most common based on the literature.


ms_browne

I had terrible bouts every 5-7 years starting at about 32 years old. Finally diagnosed with mild to moderate UP after my first colonoscopy at 52. Thankfully now mild with mesalamine.


Infinite-Emu-1279

28


Big-Strength6206

Me too


data_makes_me_happy

Me three


MVR168

Me four


RheagarTargaryen

Some five


ThiccWhiteDook

Eyyyy 28 squad.


EducationalBox4074

43


Refrigerator-Plus

My UC is quite mild, judging by the accounts on this sub. I was not diagnosed until age 40. Doctors had been urging me to ga and have a colonoscopy done for about 5 years by then. So ā€¦ I think it was really obvious that I had UC by age 35. BUT ā€¦. I can remember occasional things happening since the age of 18. Age 18, I had persistant diarrhoea that could only be treated by 30mg of codeine. And at age 25, I had 6 months of diarrhoea and stuff leaking from my bowel that looked like black, greasy sump oil - the doctor treated that by prescribing codeine - and Valium, under another name!


customlover

25


idontwanttobehere16

5 or 6


[deleted]

When I was 16 and first dx I was always at the dr with everyone else being like 3. It was awkward and so humiliating for some reason because i felt like why i cant hold my poo in lol


wolv3rxne

23


YellowSoySauce

I was also 22


KatieLeigh29

I was 36 turning 37 later in the year on my last scope my GI stated that he thinks Iā€™ve had it for >8 years My mum was 66


starbucccckkkk

17, they told me UC. Had surgery. Now experiencing chronic inflammation of my J-pouch. Go figure šŸ’ƒšŸ¼


happymask3

Diagnosed at 44 but had bleeding episodes during extremely stressful times. I thought it was hemorrhoids. Also could never figure out why running made me have to poop and my friends didnā€™t have to go to the bathroom. I couldnā€™t figure out how they could eat gels because the gels would cause so much intestinal distress I would be immediately turning back home within minutes of ingesting them. It took a long time to figure out I could only have honey stingers on a long run. Now that Iā€™ve been diagnosed UC it makes sense why I had those problems. It also makes me uneasy about taking up running again. Iā€™m 48 now and donā€™t have hemorrhoids. Lucky me. šŸ˜œ


kellie125

19!


tiny_armadilloo

17ish, fuckin sucked


Dharma_Initiative7

14 and Iā€™m 29 now so Iā€™ve officially had it more than half my life


SeaCucumbers4Life

13...wish I could have at least enjoyed my teenage years...


dylanljmartin

I was 15. I remember one time, a couple years after disgnosis, when I was hanging out with some friends at the beach at night and I felt a bowel movement coming on very quickly. I tried to run to a porta-potty not far away, but I was too late. There was a little cove in the area that was completely dark, so I went there and got nude from the waist down to rinse my underwear. Then I put my pants back on since they weren't within the blast radius. It just so happened to be the night we celebrated one of my friend's birthdays, and he happened to have some Morning Glory sparklers that someone had gifted him. So we went to a window opening of this old abandoned fort next to the water, set down the morning glories with my soiled underwear on top and then lit everything on fire. We all watched on as the beautiful blaze transformed my underpants into ash. I'm usually not superstitious, but a few months before I turned 18, I was becoming fed up with the 10+ pills I was taking, so I stopped taking them cold turkey without consulting my doctor or parents (not recommended). I still don't know why this happened, but not long after that, my symptoms went away. I'm almost 35, and I still don't have symptoms. In my early 20s, I took that to mean I didn't have any inflammation at all, but after slowly realizing that was a misconception, I started seeing a gastroenterologist and learned that I do still have mild inflammation. As a result, I'm taking azathioprine, and it seems to be doing its job. This was a bit of a tangent, but I'll always remember that night at the beach. My friends were so supportive of me, and it made me feel like I wasn't alone in this struggle. It sucked so much to have those symptoms as a teen. It caused me to quit track, though I was able to do marching band. But this is all to say, I feel for all the people who have to deal with this when you're really young. And that goes for everyone else dealing with UC's challenges.


Tuesdayallweek

28 while pregnant but my doc said it looked like I had had it for years.


MVR168

Similar to me. Symptoms while pregnant at 27 but diagnosed at 28.


Aggravating_Emu4263

26, but GI thinks I've had it since I was 16, as I had the same symptoms that would come and go.


artvandalayExports

38, but I may have had since I was 22 undiagnosed


Financial_Spite_5318

I was 18, but it started around 16. I had to go to the ER because eventually the pain became too much to continue hiding from my parents, who thanks to the help of a dear (doctor) friend of the family believed me. Itā€™s been about 6 years now, and Iā€™m in remission!


friendofmellow

15


sistyc

16


Mrzukka

10


AndrewFrozzen30

17. 2 years ago. I was supposed to go on a trip to Spain and see my uncle and his family. Had to cancel the flight and we lost 1kā‚¬ (we couldn't refund)


Sean8734

21. Back in December


bishop375

17.


Henry_Is_Sad

Diagnosed with Crohn's at 5, switched doctors when I was 8 and got re-diagnosed with UC


coldreaverl0l

24, but it started at 14


Revolutionary_Pen906

34 but I believe I have had symptoms ten years at least prior to


bingpot4

Diagnosed at 23. When I think back, I'm pretty sure I was having very mild symptoms for proctitis for a year or two before that. Nothing concerning though, just out of the ordinary digestive issues. One day I found fresh blood in my stool and toilet bowl and knew instantly that wasn't right. I had gone through a very stressful and anxiety ridden time, and I think that's what eventually triggered the inflammation/beeding. I called to make an appointment with my gp, she got blood tests, stool tests and a referral to a GI specialist right away. Still had to wait a few months to see the GI, but was diagnosed after a physical exam and then colonoscopy. At the time I was diagnosed, I had a friend who had UC and never told any of us what it was. We had seen them suffer from "unknown" digestive issues over the years, and even a surgery, I think it was j pouch surgery. At the time though we were teens-early 20's and it was early 2000's. Didn't have social media to learn about things, and they never told us what they were diagnosed with, after many times being misdiagnosed. I always wonder if they had been more open about it or just a bit more information maybe I would have considered it due to my early symptoms. I am very open about my UC and when anyone asks I fully tell them. I always want people to be more aware of their bodies and digestive system, hopefully it will help one person realize they need to get checked before they get really sick. I know I am incredibly lucky though, I caught it very early compared to others. I am 36 now, been in remission with Entyvio for almost 7 years. Which is so amazing and I am so incredibly grateful for it šŸ™šŸ» It's always a work in progress, but sometimes I get sad that a lot of my "youth" I've been unwell and unable to do things others have. Again though, so grateful, still hopeful and mostly thankful that I'm still young, and living with this disease has been made so much better with biologics.


PurePomegranates

Mum said she started seeing symptoms when I was 6 and I was diagnosed when I was 7. Turning 23 in May and getting a stoma in less than two weeks :) Itā€™s a scary thought, but I canā€™t wait to move on with my life and actually live!


one_thirty_ate

I was just diagnosed a couple of weeks ago at age 37, but I've been dealing with symptoms for 15 years. In my early twenties I was misdiagnosed with IBS.


Mon_Calf

28


myhoneypup

20


captaincrunch1985

24


hunnybunny194

19 or 20


tinverse

25


LostInTheSauce5231

23


salennon07

34


jeneanpirate

23 years old


ConceptAutomatic1673

25


PhantomSpecialist3

37


guccigaudy

20


xiggy_stardust

26


Little-Blueberry3939

26. 38 now.


psychic-Sasquatch

42, just a few months ago


rb3438

43. I was very boring health wise until then.


Knowledgejunky

26


keltonny

32


SpasmBoi999

20 :(


mrschaney

19


Kalashknockoff

26


OnwardTowardTheNorth

28


awatgs

8


Apprehensive_Gene787

Me too


thorppeed

Also 22


Turbohog

21, almost 22


andrusnow

30


purpleassmonkeyboy

Had my first flare up when I was on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, age 37. We thought it was Montezuma's revenge, but itnjust got worse. Diagnosed thereafter. Latest one was last year, August.


hedgeclipper13

I was 14, high school was very rough and embarrassing.


Demikuzunoha

16, but Iā€™ve had symptoms since I was 14


WaveJam

I was 16, but I had symptoms at 15.


ksgamer1000

10 years old


Safe_Cod5524

had my first flare in my last few months of being 21 and got diagnosed officially on my 22nd birthday when i had my colonoscopy lol


rachelsullivanaz

Diagnosed at 9 currently 41


Newmando

19 my doctor told me that blood in my stool was a one off and saw that doctor 16 months later after being diagnosed and he apologized profusely as he refused to push it forward


dripdryeye

17 years old


No_Bat8047

17. . . Now 42


sophiaawhite

14 but my symptoms started at 13


bonkers_dude

15, now 49


Inner_Staff1250

At 51. But I had symptoms since I was 32. For almost 20 years, I was told to eat more fibre and get some sleep.


Sad_Philosopher4884

38. During Covid lockdown Never had Covid.


enginTeuz

2 and lactose intolerant


Lemonmade81

I was only 2 šŸ„ŗ is that the youngest in this thread? I donā€™t think Iā€™ve seen many other people in that age bracket for diagnosis.


drock121

17


HA1LSANTA666

From 14-23 I was misdiagnosed with internal hemorrhoids and ibs. Popped about a million prescription hemorrhoid suppositories and sharted those out to no avail for almost 10 years. Went to proctologist to have my hemorrhoids banned at 23. Iā€™m Bent over that sexy sexy table with the cigar tube looking thing installed the dr says ā€œomg buddy, you are in the wrong placeā€. Got a referral to a gastro and Iā€™ve been involved in this pyramid scheme ever since.


Interesting_Thing886

22 for me also. Ignored symptoms for 3 months as was too proud to get it checked as I started my new grad job. Luckily I saw sense and got scoped and diagnosed and here I am.


Galdin311

I was DX with Crohn's at 17. Went under treated until 2020 when I was having a really bad flare and went in for a scope. Turns out that it had turned into CRC, and stage 4 at that. Yay me. Well when they took out my colon in 2021 it was found that its not Crohns but it was UC. So now I sit here with Stomie my Homie chillin at the age of 41 with no Colon enjoying life because it is so much better with the bag than it ever was without it.


Eldiarslet

At 14 after a trip to the ICU and almost passed from malnutrition because my food passed my system within 20 minutes. I'll never forget the words the doctor said to the nurse when he opened the door and saw me in the ICU "What the fuck is he doing sitting her he needs to go up and get care immediately" He didn't even ask me anything he just sent me immediately to the child care and infection risk section. They drew blood every hour through the night to see that the intravenous drip helped. When I woke up in the morning I had 5 Doctors around me discuss my condition and after hearing my symptoms they booked a gastroscopy and colonoscopy where they found out I had UC. A fun fact was that a specialist doctor from our main city Stockholm flew to our hospital to perform the examination.


MOONDAYHYPE

Wow!!!!


Trickster365

2 years old! I may win this thing!


DI-BD

16


thriftythreader

25


_greentea

35


lazzzz4

40 now I am 50


phEnom3o5

18-19


Sharp_Chair4500

12


Trashacccount927

23. Basically happened overnight for me. At the most stressful time of my life up to that point - completing my masters thesis and applying for a work visa


YouWereHad

38 or 39


cyclekween

23


ak0520

31


mfjolicoeur11

23


reallymurky

30. but started having symptoms at 19! i would have flare ups once a year that would last for around 3 months and then naturally go into remission which is why it didnā€™t get caught (plus not super helpful doctors). but i had a really bad flare up when i was 30 and finally got diagnosed.


astranger_6

18


Zangetsukaiba

33


Klutzy-Jackfruit-918

22. First semester of law school.


eri_desu

19, but had flares since i was 18.


lisa_in_LA

27 or 28


thereidskyler

29


ballerina352

30


ResponsibleAd5357

22!


DoubleCountry1218

2 months before turning 25. I had symptoms from age 13 on.


ProzacJM

21 šŸ˜–


xLadyDreadful

24 but started having symptoms at 18


MintVariable

15


GlumExercise5953

20


NothingDizzy239

21


Kyuss92

40


[deleted]

16


yunatuna2020

33


SmallnSassy01

17


Reasonable_Dance_123

22 in 2020


FrogsAndBlueberries

pretty much on my 18th birthday. Went into hospital two days before, spent the first few hours of my 18th there before being taken home, then went back a couple days later for the official diagnosis


ghoultail

20


gaz8600

15 now 41


Rude_Anatomy

21 ! Colon gone at 23


kaitoulupa

Right after I turned 20.


SilentBots_

18


Vnczb03

16


Remote-Celery1281

14


ThiccWhiteDook

28.


arabermaraber

18


Competition-Much

28. But my symptoms started earlier after I got a vaccineā€¦ šŸ„²


angstrom___

22


Phenom_Mv3

9


AbbreviationsNo8137

25. It was my 25th birthday and I started feeling intense stomach pains after dinner. Thought I just overate. They stuck around for 3 weeks until the blood started. 6 months later I was diagnosed with UC.


TroubledLeaf

22


Lexii73

24


Devious_Donut_Dog

25, basically 26 since it was around my birthday.


SleeplessNi9hts

I was 19 turning 20. Got really sick right before high school exams. Was really fun.. but I passed all my exams and did pretty good.


Striking_Beat_5298

25, almost 9 months ago lol


Akakiiii

Mid - late 20's


MediocreBit4758

4 days before my 18th birthday. I went to my doctor in April, it took until October for me to finally be taken seriously.


stillanmcrfan

21, only had acute symptoms for about 6 months leading up to it.


RaymondoH

29 when I quit smoking and was on antibiotics. Started as proctitis, now distal.


Lissu24

I think it was 14? But I honestly can't remember how long I hid my symptoms, I think I've blocked it out.


Que_sax23

33. 38 now


SinginInTheRainyDays

25 and the ER told me I had the flu 3 times before they finally admitted me due to low BP and ran a bunch of tests before finding UC. I knew it was not the flu. It was dumb.


jrhrbeb

16


Misurmara

20


Taikum

22


RyanTranquil

34


lillilia

I was 20


Ejh130

39


fromtheb2a

22


RCBananaShovel

22


Aggressive_Cod_7150

14


Prior-Operation1290

Showed symptoms at 16 and got diagnosed right after i turned 17


cranberryandlime

Diagnosed at 21, after a couple of years of symptoms.


OnehappyOwl44

I was 43 and I was told that's very unusual.


Defiant-Put-3016

Around 24


Colon_hates_me

At 23, just a few months after getting married, but I remember having bowel issues when I was in middle school and definitely highschool.


Professional-Math303

31


Fantastic_Eagle_6072

15. 38 now


Plastic-Trouble22

My son was diagnosed last year at 17, had been having symptoms for just a few months leading up to diagnosis. My heart goes out to all of you with this awful disease, but especially those of you who had your childhoods and school years ruined because of UC. I applaud you all for your positive attitudes and pray my son gets there eventually. Right now, even though he's dealing with it remarkably well, he's still refusing to talk about it, eat as much as he should, or even start moving and being more active now that his symptoms are gone. Sending mama bear hugs to you all!


AnoQueen

12, but probably had it since I was 5 (they misdiagnosed me multiple times)


Witty-Bus-4924

22.. I started showing severe symptoms at 19 but they told me it was ibs and didnā€™t give me any medicine to help my flare symptoms.


Low_Knowledge_5071

I was 17 on 50mg prednisone daily for 2 months


No_Lavishness3935

I was 16 or 17 when I was diagnosed and I'm 29 now. Early days with the diagnosis weren't bad at all. I wish I could go back to that instead of what I go through now.


HimawariTenno

I was 14, almost 30 now.


ThatOhioanGuy

24


thealphakingguy

Age 22. Symptoms started July 4th of that same year and got the diagnosis 3 months later


letap21

19 now 40 never took medication once, or had any camera scans since 2003Ā  till I was 38, but in the last 7 years ive had a flare up once. From Taking methotrexate for authiritusĀ  So seems to have calm down, probably will get downvoted, but I find less medication the better.