Muchaneta Chimuka
A KUWADZANA man is battling a rare and chronic disease, ‘Ulcerative Colitis,’ which makes him bleed continuously when, for instance, he gets stressed up.
The bleeding can also be triggered by him eating some foodstuffs.
He bleeds from the rectum, at any given time, and his condition makes it difficult for him to socialise or even to go to work.
Fungai Munyedzi (53), of House Number 1571 Kuwadzana 2, Harare, was diagnosed with this rare disease in 2015.
He has been surviving on lifelong medication, coupled with consistent blood transfusion sessions, which is beyond reach, taking into consideration that he is no longer employed because of the chronic illness.
“I used to work in South Africa as a hotelier but from the time I was diagnosed with this condition, I have been bedridden and half the time I will be admitted to hospital, and I will need blood.
“I require two pints of blood every three months.
“When I eat food, it doesn’t take even five minutes before fresh blood starts oozing out through the rectum.
“Even if I get stressed up the blood will involuntarily come out and doctors say I need surgery but, for the meantime, I’m just taking medication that minimises blood flow,” he said.
Munyedzi narrated his story to this reporter after visiting Zimpapers in a bid to appeal for assistance.
He hopes that one day things will turn better.
“I do not travel a lot because I can’t hold back the blood and communities might not understand my condition and they would be surprised as to why blood is coming out in that way and it is very difficult to try and explain to everyone.
“The condition has, indeed, brought a lot of stigma in my life.
“I require over US$1,000 per month for medication and blood transfusion. My whole body is in pain, and I have children who need to be fed.
“I take over 12 tablets per day, including the ones for reducing the flow of blood, because at times it becomes severe that I can easily faint when I try to relieve myself.
“I am also on high blood pressure medication,” he said.
He produced some of the doctor’s notes and diagnosis as well as the breakdown of the medications that he is entitled to take.
According to his doctor’s notes, he is not supposed to miss his medication and by doing so he risks severe bleeding, which will in turn worsen his condition.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes long-lasting inflammation and open sores (ulcers) in the superficial lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum.
The key signs and symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis are: Bloody Diarrhoea: Stools often mixed with blood, mucus, or pus.
The other signs are abdominal pain, cramping or pain in the belly area; bowel urgency, a strong, frequent need to have a bowel movement, sometimes feeling unable to pass stool despite the urge (tenesmus), and these often lead to fatigue, fever, unintended weight loss, and reduced appetite.
According to medical experts, the exact cause of this disease is not known, though it is linked to an abnormal immune system response that attacks the digestive tract and other risk factors such as family history (genetics), age (often diagnosed before age 30 or between 50 and 80), and ethnic background (higher rates in White and Ashkenazi Jewish populations).
The disease is also exacerbated by stress, certain foods, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can trigger or worsen flare-ups.
Those who wish to assist Munyedzi can contact him on his Ecocash number +263 782680558.
