I am asking for help because my health has been on a slow decline for quite a few months now causing a lot fear, anxiety, and overall a decreased quality of life. Back in Feburary 2022, I was diagnosed with IBD/UC (inflammatory bowel disease/ulcerative colitis). I broke down in the doctors office after hearing the diagnosis because for months and months before my first colonoscopy, I was constantly looking up my symptoms trying to figure out what was wrong with me and UC was one that popped up a lot which caused some fear due to it being chronic and debilitating.

My symtoms first started November 2021 with back to back mouth ulcers (canker sores) which were EXTREMELY painful I almost couldnt eat. Then in December 2021 my bowel movements began to change. I was going about 4 times a day, mostly in the mornings. In Janurary 2022 I started having blood and mucous in my bowel movements and they were very unhealthy (mixed diarrhea and constipation) so I scheduled my first gastroenterologist appointment but had to wait a little while before seeing him. He said it was most likely just diet and hemrrhoids until a few weeks later my symptoms got worse and I was in hospital. I went to the ER Feburary 2022 in extreme abdominal pain, I couldnt eat or drink anything without vomiting or needing the bathroom almost immediately. My CT scan showed diffuse thickening of my lower colon which they considered infectious so I was put on antibiotics. I was able to get an emergency appointment with my GI fairly quickly after that and he decided I needed the colonoscopy to figure out what was going on, hence leading to my diagnosis. I was told to only stay away from seeds, nuts, and raw vegetables and that i could eat all the dairy, meat, and bread i wanted which did not help to elevate my symtoms.

From the beginning of my symptoms I was put on azithromycin, flagyl, prednisone, mesalamine suppositories, and apriso. All of which made my symtoms worse and made me feel sickier than I was to begin with. I was using the bathroom more than 10 times throughout the day with blood and mucous, extreme fatigue, nausea, loosing a ton of weight, and becoming extremely sensitive to any type of food. My doctor DID NOT taper my prednisone which caused major withdrawal symtoms. I called to speak with him about it three times in one week and I was completely ignored and not cared for. I then began to notice with only being on apriso that I had most adverse allergic reactions to the drug such as hives, chest tightness, chest pain, severe back pain, nausea etc. I then scheduled an appointment with a new GI who has been very good to me but had me try a different form mesalamine (lialda) to see if there was a difference and if no change I would be on biologics only for the rest of my life. On the first day all my adverese reactions came back and have not heard from my doctor about it after leaving a message with her a few weeks ago.

I do not want to be on medication for the rest of my life due to the fact everything I have tried thus far has made me worse and because all these drugs come with a long list of unwanted side effects. I have felt so much better the past few weeks off all medication than I have in months, but my bowel movements are still not normal and full of mucous, using the bathroom 4 to 8 times a day, so I know I need help to get this inflammation down. I am extremely hopeful in working with Dane Johnson and the Crohns Colitis Lifestyle team to figure out a natural way of healing created specifically for me. His client testimonies have brought me to tears with how different and beautiful their lives have become after working with him and his team to heal themselves.

Any help to be able to afford his SHIELD program would be more appreciated than I could put into words. It would be such a blessing. Thank you for taking the time to read my story whether you decide to donate or not because it is time we spread awareness on IBD and autoimmune diseases since it is becoming more widespread now more than ever!