Continuing our series of interviews with patients who participate in a clinical trial, we present the story of a patient suffering from ulcerative colitis.

Hello, thank you for sparing a moment to talk. Please tell us what you do in your everyday life?

Hello, I’m 26, and I am a mother of a 4-year old, very vigorous girl. I am a student of extramural course in finance. I used to work in a grocery store, but I had to quit due to an illness. My daughter likes exploring the neighborhood and riding her bike. However, because of coming down with ulcerative colitis, I had to limit my activity to short walks near my home.

From whom have you heard about the clinical trials at the Globe Badania Kliniczne (Globe Clinical Trials) center?

Two years ago, I started having severe abdominal pain and had to go to the toilet extremely frequently due to frequent defecation. I consulted an internal medicine specialist. After undergoing colonoscopy, it turned out that I had been suffering from colitis ulcerosa, or ulcerative colitis. After lots of tests and several visits, due to the lack of improvement, the doctor prescribed steroids – an invasive therapy that was making me feel really bad.

When it seemed, like there were no other treatment options available for me, a friend recommended a gastroenterologist, who had been treating her. The doctor was the first to tell me about the trials, for which they were recruiting at that time.

Does your family approve of your participation in the trial?

The disease and its symptoms handicapped my life. I needed help with common everyday activities. My family have always helped me. There was a very positive reaction from all my relatives upon hearing about the possibility to participate in the trial. They travel with me 80 kilometers to the center and provide support during the most difficult tests.

What is your participation in the clinical trial like?

At the Globe center in Kłodzko I was provided with thorough information on what it is like to participate in the study. Before I signed the consent form to participate in the study, my attending doctor provided answers to all my questions. During several subsequent visits I went through a series of free diagnostic tests (including colonoscopy) and only then I was administered the medicine. Currently, I have regular fixed control visits. I can contact the medical on the phone whenever I want. Each of my symptoms is immediately checked by the doctor and consulted. Every morning at home I take 1 tablet of the drug in trial. Also, I received an electronic diary, which – by ringing its annoying alarm – reminds me every evening of having to fill out the report. I know from trial coordinators that thanks to this my health is monitored on an ongoing basis.

Would you recommend participating in the study to people with inflammatory bowel disease?

As I mentioned before, it’s an 80 kilometers trip one way to the center. For me, the most uncomfortable trip in the whole trial was when I had to stop several times to find a “toilet”. Currently, these symptoms have subsided and there are no stops during the trip. Another unpleasant and difficult moment is colonoscopy. This unpleasant and uncomfortable test is necessary to check the stage of the disease, to be included in the study and then check the efficacy of the drug.

Participation in the study is one of the best decisions I had to make. Previously, I thought that I would have to forget about my social life and physical activity, which I love. Today, I am slowly going back to cycling, jogging or going for walks with my daughter.

I have a few friends who are suffering from ulcerative colitis and on every possible occasion, with all my heart, I try to talk them into participating in such trial.

Thank you very much for sharing your comments with us. We wish you much health.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease that causes irritation or ulcers. The disease can cause frequent diarrhea, blood or mucus in the stool, anal lesions, fever, nausea or loss of appetite. It can lead to debilitating stomach pain. The disease only affects the colon or rectum. It destroys the inner part of the mucosa. It affects young people, most often between 20 and 40 years of age, recently it is more and more often affecting children.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS OR CROHN’S DISEASE, YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR FREE CLINICAL TRIAL.

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