I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 19 and immediately told I would be on medication for the rest of my life. I went down the path of biologics, mesalamines, steroids and many other medications with unwanted side effects.

After a decade of suffering, but being told I was in “remission” based off of colonoscopies, all the meds stopped working. My initial diagnosis of Ulcerative colitis triggered another autoimmune condition.  I found myself underweight, malnourished, barely able to walk, depressed and without answers.  

I was having over 40 bowel movements a day, I lost my period, got down to 95lbs and wasn’t able to put on any weight, got acne I’ve never experienced, lost more than half my hair, couldn’t walk or lift my arms above shoulder height. After a few hospital stays, emergency colonoscopies, endoscopies, 4 blood transfusions and more poking and prodding. I was told my next option was a colectomy. I met with a surgeon but left feeling like that wasn’t the right answer for me. I was discouraged.