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stop a flare?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/11/2008 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hi-

I think I am the beginning of my annual fall flare. I have the night sweats, low grade fever, constant abdominal pain, exhaustion, frequent diarrhea, some dehydration. Normally I put up this for a month or so until I give up and go on pred till spring. I have done this the past 6 yrs at this time of year without fail. Has anyone had any success with stopping a flare? I would love to get this under control without having to resort to pred. Any tips greatly appreciated.

Thanks and have a good weekend.

Val

Posted 10/11/2008 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
A liquid diet, rest, and avoiding stressors like the plague may help. I'm not so sure about getting by without the prednisone though. Maybe using it with the aforementioned things temporarily?
Posted 10/11/2008 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi where is your CD located?lol gail
Posted 10/11/2008 3:10 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Gail-

Large intestine- colon and ileocecal valve.

Thanks
Val

Posted 10/11/2008 4:38 PM (GMT 0)

Valorie are you on any other kind of Crohns meds?  If not, maybe its time to get on something like 6mp or Imuran.  My personal opinion is that every Crohnie should be on some kind of maintenance med.  Also, are you watching your diet?  I live on a low residue diet all the time, it seems to keep things pretty quiet for me.\

God Bless,

Gail *Nanners*

Posted 10/11/2008 5:21 PM (GMT 0)

I just had a really bad flare and asked to please please not have to go on the predinsone again! He put me on 9mg of entocort, canasa and cortifoam enemas and I feel like a million bucks already without the horrible side effects of pred. I do get a headache from the entocort but if I drink a lot of water it will usually go away. I also take 6mp regularly which I love.

I did a liquid diet for about 6 days too.

Hope you can get this flare under control soon!

Sally

Posted 10/11/2008 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm guessing that the fall is when you get really busy with school and kids and so on? You probably would benefit from some form of stress relief (in addition to whatever you normally do to control your symptoms). A relaxation ritual or a massage or whatever works for you - exercise, meditation, or even something like Holy Basil extract. Make time for yourself!
Posted 10/11/2008 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I too find diet plays a role for me and like Nanners said maybe a new med until some of your bowels clear up might help. Has your Dr. mentioned a new med? lol gail
Posted 10/14/2008 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Val:
I have the same problem than you... in fall it always get worse until spring. It has just started in this side of the hemisphere so im quite happy. Any reasons? Maybe the sun or change on diet at the start of the winter? I dont think is something about stress...
What do you think? Anyone else with seasonal efects?
Posted 10/14/2008 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I'll usually try to rest the bowels and go on a liquid diet for a few days. After that though, I'm calling the doc, and pouting about it! LOL Hope you feel better and don't have to go on the evil pred!
Posted 10/15/2008 12:35 AM (GMT 0)

Thank you one and all for your suggestions. I am on maintenance meds- colazaal although I cant ever really tell the difference as to when I am on it and not. I have been on asacol and sulfasalazine. I do notice the flare whenever it gets cold. I have a briefer milder flare when it first gets really hot in the summer. Alot of people have seasonal flares and the theory is that the seasonal changes triggers the production of histamines which in turn stimulate the immune system to renew its attack on the intestines. I am usually sick until it has been consistently cold for a few months. Along with this is the ever present low grade fever and night sweats and then of course the chills. Such fun. I have tried the liquid diet the last few days and then things seemed to calm down. But I tried to work out last nite and realized I wasnt sweating despite the effort I was putting in. SO I have been pumping fluids bigtime today as I have a tendency to dehydration. I know that I am my own worst enemy though as I crave chocolate when I am stressed and it is so easy for me to reach me for it and forget how sick I get. Then I spend days wondering what is wrong with me, that I put my body through this. I know it is hormonal but I am like the stupid rat in the maze who keeps getting shocked every time he tries to get the cheese. Thats me, every time. I am having a horrible time with my period and will be having a radical hysterectomy in january and I cant help but wonder how much better I will be after. I have severe endometriosis and know that I have adhesions to my bowel and I know how much this all is because of my constant bleeding. Anyway thanks for all the help and support. I am taking darvocet and vicoden for the pain and getting thru as best as I can.

Have a calm and restful nite.

Posted 10/15/2008 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
First, with the location of your disease activity, you might ask your doctor about Entocort. It can be pretty effective around the ileocecal valve area with far fewer side effects than prednisone.

Secondly, if you're flaring fairly often and needing pred a few months a year, then you should consider bumping up from asacol to either Imuran or 6MP, as these are considered to be far more effective in keeping patients off of steroids in the long term.
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