specialist and was eventually diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (U.C.
But in 2013, Mayer experienced a severe flare that led to an additional diagnosis of Crohns disease.
Crohns disease is another bang out of IBD that can cause inflammation anywhere in the G.I.
Valery via Adobe Stock
tract, from the mouth to the anus (unlike U.C., which is limited to the colon).
This is her story, as told to writer Emilia Benton.
At first I chalked my symptoms up to being in a new environment and trying new and different foods.
specialist, which I had to do with a nurse translator.
specialist again once I was back home in Seattle.
I got my first colonoscopy, which led to an initial diagnosis ofulcerative colitisand a short-term treatment plan.
I continued to have little flares that allowed me to bounce back pretty quickly with treatment.
Then, in 2013, I experienced a really bad flare that seemingly came out of nowhere.
Before that, my disease had been manageable, but this flare took me down completely.
I couldnt keep any food down and rapidly lost weight.
I could hardly leave the house because I needed to have access to a bathroom at all times.
I worked from home as often as I possibly could and declined most social invitations, especially Christmas-related events.
This time was scary and a bit traumatic, so I remember feeling generally shut down.
It was dark all the time in Seattle and I just felt very grim.
Heres what helped me get to where Im at now.
I started a new treatment.
Soon after that colonoscopy in 2013, I was prescribed abiologic medicationand started that as my treatment.
To this day, I take the same medication.
I lean on my support system.
From the start, I was pretty open about my diagnosis with my close friends.
Even though wed been together since college, we hadnt been living together very long.
Id take a bite of food and have to go to the bathroom, which was really embarrassing.
And he was greathe was nothing but supportive.
Aside from with close friends, I didnt share too much.
It was one of those things that I wouldnt talk about unless I needed to.
I keep up with my running routineand learned to adapt.
I had also started running while I was studying abroad in Prague before I started experiencing symptoms.
I grew to be a pretty avid runner by the time I was diagnosed with Crohns.
Luckily, after getting on treatment, I was able to get back to running.
I actually ran the Boston Marathon in 2014.
IBD doesnt keep me from runningIve just learned to adapt.
Now that my friends all know, I can just say, We need to stop.
I need to find a spot to go.
Now, its just something Im used to dealing with.
My doctors have always said, Do what you’re able to.
The healthier you keep the rest of your body, the better its probably going to be.
They also encourage me to live my life as close to normal as I can.
I plan the bathroom situation ahead of time.
It can also help people be more open to being social despite the embarrassing nature of the disease.
But sometimes, Im still told no.
I connect with a community online.
TheCrohns and Colitis Foundationhas a huge community of people going through the same thing as you.
Im happy to be that person for other people learning to navigate the disease.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
