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I'm a 22 year old female who was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at the age of 14, back in 2006. I'm writing this post because I'm wondering if anyone else has struggled with body image/food issues as a result of their diagnosis?
 
I think it first started when I went from being severely underweight (back in 2006) to then rapidly gaining weight from being put on prednisone. I felt ashamed and self-conscious and absolutely hated how I looked. Even though I was eventually able to get back down to a normal weight, the negative impact that this incident had on my body image has continued to this day.

On a given day I can go from feeling too tiny and weak and skinny to then feeling bloated, and ultimately "fat." I think my problem is that whenever I get bloated, I get so anxious about how I look and appear to other people and get worried that I look fat. Whenever I'm feeling gross inside (i.e. inflamed) I think that I assume that it will somehow translate to my external appearance. I know it sounds superficial to be focusing so much on how I look, but I can't help it. 

Another related issue that I am currently struggling with is food. As a result of having colitis, I've had to cut out a lot of enjoyable foods and always need to watch what/how much I eat. Combined with my existing body image issues, this has had a negative effect. I'm really struggling with finding the balance between wanting to eat healthy in terms of my colitis and wanting to e

Reply posted for zeezee23.

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 Reply posted for zeezee23.

I am worried about this as well. My doctor wants to change my medication treatment from mesalimines and Lialda to an 8 week course of steroids (40mg) and immunomodulator 6-mp (indefinitely. I'm scared to do this because of the side effects, mainly the steroids. How long were you all on steroids before you started experiencing side effects? If you stop them, how fast do the side effects go away? Have any of you been on 6-mp too? What was your experience with it? I have been small and healthy all my life until diagnosed with moderate UC 5 years ago. Even with this disease I have been able to maintain a healthy life, no hospitalizations. I am worried the decreased immune system will lower my quality of life. Thanks for any advice!

 Reply posted for zeezee23.

I am having the same problem. I am 35 and have been skinny my whole life. I absolutely hate being on prednisone. I look and feel fat, sweaty, everything tastes gross yet I'm hungry all of the time. I don't think you are being vain or superficial. When you identify yourself as something for so long i.e. skinny, you tend to want to stay that way. Most of the reasons I don't want to be on prednisone are vanity and I don't pretend otherwise. I am very upfront with my doctor about it and let him know that I want off of it as soon as possible. Always. Keep your chin up. I know it's hard but it's not just you.

 Reply posted for zeezee23.

I have a  very hard time with UC I am alergic to ibuprofen .the only thing i can take is predneson I have not find something the works for me yet. I have the same problem with weight my face get round I don't look nothing like before I was diagnose. I was 115 Lb now 140 Lb  and now I am very hairy on my face I don't know what to do.

 Reply posted for zeezee23.

My daughter is going through a rough patch now too and some of it has to do with body image/food issues.   After trying to work through it on our own, we finally sought the advice of a therapist. It is important that you take control of the situation before it takes control over you!