ADVERTISEMENTHealthing.ca spoke to Polak, an advocate for colitis and a passionate horticulturist, about his path to being diagnosed, what it’s like to live with colitis and why it’s so important that people talk to their doctor about their symptoms.You lived with symptoms for years. What was it that finally made you seek help from a doctor?
This is where my anxiety kind of comes into play. I ended up having to take time off from work because of a severe anxiety episode — I had a panic attack in my car on the way to Pearson airport. I had to inform the nursery that I would not be able to be join because I had been diagnosed with a chronic disease that we didn’t even have a treatment plan for at that point. Having to bail on this horticulture career that I wanted to do my whole life…People don’t realize what I’ve lost. I’ve lost out on two incredible careers. I loved being a flight attendant, I loved flying around.
I have to always be near a washroom. If I need to go out, which is pretty rare, like if I’m going to the pharmacy or going to see my study team at the hospital or going to fulfill my horticultural addiction, I will take a small pile of pills to get me through the day. Those are generally antispasmodic medications and anti-diarrheals like Imodium that will at least allow me to get into my car and drive around the city.
Clearly, there are significant emotional issues around living with colitis. How do you take care of your mental health?
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