HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

new on this forum and need advice

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/11/2008 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
ive been diagnosed with ulcerative colotis for about a year now. dont know what form or how bad it is lol cause the doctor never told me. i take asacol 880mg 4 times a day. i havent had diahrea since ive been taking this pills. but when i do go to the bathroom and i strain a bit i see blood and i sometime see mucus. is that considered a flare up? and i wanna know if its bad to take ibuprofen. ive been getting headaches and ive been taking ibuprofen and i see more blood than usual.

thanks.

Posted 8/11/2008 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Having UC we're not supposed to take NSAIDS, which include ibuprofen, because it can increase stomach/intestinal bleeding. Some people aren't sensitive to it but I know I see more blood when I take them, and if I take it on an empty stomach I get really nauseous. But I get headaches almost daily and sometimes Tylenol doesn't help at all so you have to resort to something. Just try not to take them often or at all if you can help it.

Anyway, welcome to healingwell!! :)
Posted 8/11/2008 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
You strain everytime you go?  Straining is bad on your colon and can cause internal hemroids to bleed.  If the blood is bright red - I would venture a guess that the straining is causing your hemroids to bleed.  If the blood is dark red or even close to being brown it indicates it is from higher up in the colon and then could be a result of you taking ibuprofen. 

Posted 8/12/2008 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
You probably already know this, but sometimes the red coating of the asacol capsule can be seen in the BM.

ediekristen -That's interesting that you say we're not supposed to take ibuprofen because when I had my wisdom teeth taken out about a month ago they prescribed it to me and they knew I had Ulcerative Colitis. I think the oral surgeon even called my GI.
Posted 8/12/2008 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
You need to get on rectal meds..you're flaring. Remember that UC starts at the rectum...and since you're not having any diarrhea, that mostly means the inflammation is still low.

The oral meds are doing their thing...but won't help with the rectal symptoms.

quincy
Posted 8/12/2008 2:50 AM (GMT 0)

UChick said...
You probably already know this, but sometimes the red coating of the asacol capsule can be seen in the BM.

ediekristen -That's interesting that you say we're not supposed to take ibuprofen because when I had my wisdom teeth taken out about a month ago they prescribed it to me and they knew I had Ulcerative Colitis. I think the oral surgeon even called my GI.

I'm sure they just figured in that case the benefits far outweighed the risks on that one... I couldn't have imagined having my wisdom teeth taken out without the 800mg Ibuprofen and Percoset, haha.
Posted 8/12/2008 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Only take Tylenol (acetaminophen) if you NEED a painkiller. Don't take anything else. Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) WILL be problematic given your UC. I've read that one thing that may bring about UC is an overuse of NSAIDs. Before I got UC I was taking Aleve or Advil every day for 6 months to help manage my tennis elbow -- huge mistake and possibly what started my UC.

Here's a link that is pretty clear about staying away from NSAIDs (scroll down to "Pain Relievers"):

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ulcerative-colitis/DS00598/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
Posted 8/12/2008 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Also, I agree with quincy, you should get on some rectal meds while your in this flare. Probably Rowasa (Mesalamine) -- same thing as Asacol, just gets in you the other way. Asacol isn't always so good at getting all the way to the end. Even though this flare up doesn't sound so extreme you should probably treat it to keep it from progressing. Good luck!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply