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Last year I took a writeup to my doctor about how UC (and other digestive disorders for that matter) leads to low Vit D levels, which of course isn't a good thing. When I got my annual blood testing done in the summer that test was added and oh gosh my Vit D level was low (I would have been shocked if it wasn't). So I started taking that vitamin (on top of all the other ones I take). Initially it was a low dose, but after my doctor went to a talk by a specialist about Vit D, we increased how much I take.
Fast forward to now. I had my annual testing done again and now my Vit D level is within normal. Admittedly the low end of normal but still that's much better than it used to be. So now I'm going to keep taking the amount I'm at, and in winter boost it to the level the doctor suggested. Ok so she suggested I just take the increased level all year, but I already take more pills than I want to - she didn't think of that as mostly she thinks of the prescriptions I take and not all the vitamins on top of that.
With the exception of the colitis, I'm a pretty damn healthy person. Today it doesn't suck to be me.
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I don't know why, but morning problems are common. Many of us adjust our schedule so that we have extra time in the morning to let our bodies settle before heading out for the day. Stress is also well known for being a problem and anything you can regularly do to reduce it is a good thing.View Thread

At the very least you should get far more blood testing done, urine and stool testing, and an upper and lower scope. When the regulars come back (is everyone on summer vacation?) I'm sure we can brainstorm and come up with a list of specific tests for you to request.
With headaches, gas and weakness I'd guess you have a food intolerance mixed in there somewhere. The food diary should help narrow that down (and is easier than trying an exclusion diet). The two most common food intolerances are dairy and gluten. Gluten issues are also frequently missed in testing.View Thread

I'd suggest you start a food dairy. Write down everything you eat/drink - even a piece of gum or a vitamin should be written down. Also write down any symptoms and when they happen, as well as how you feel overall. Over time you'll be able to pinpoint trigger foods that way.
A lot of IBS people have found this site useful (you don't have to buy any of the products): http://www.helpforibs.com/diet/View Thread

You used to eat less and healthier than you do now, you haven't been as active as you used to be and you have depression problems. That explains a lot of your bowel problems right there. I'm betting that if you go back to your old habits that your bowels will also go back to their old habits. I know... easier said than done.View Thread

I'm going to have to start harping on at my doctor about insomnia issues. I used to sleep really soundly and now if I'm lucky I only wake up a few times a night. Some nights I swear I practically wake up every hour on the hour. Of course it didn't help that recently I must have tried to achieve pretzel while sleeping, which my shoulder really didn't like me for.View Thread

I'm in Canada too, and I can tell you I've been able to get a lot of testing done. At the very least you should be able to get blood, stool and urine testing (we can brainstorm and come up with a list of tests later if you want) - those are usually the first thing the doctor will do. At least you can get that done while waiting to see a GI (which admittedly does tend to take awhile). It sounds like you'll have to push the doctor to make the referral.
The testing for celiac is notoriously inaccurate which might be why you were told to try the diet.View Thread

I'm doing fine. The weather could stand with some improvement though - it's been grey and rainy for the last few days and it's supposed to stay like that for most of the week. I want sunshine!View Thread
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