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seasonal flarring

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/21/2008 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Every time autumn comes around WHAMM my colin is upset, im feeling very tired the mucus has begun, slight bleeding occasionally, and going to the toilet 10+ times a day. Iam sick of it. Iam a very outgoing person, i bust my butt at work, i like to work hands on. So to have this slow me down sucks.
Posted 10/22/2008 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the seasonal club. Seems there are quite a few of us with this particular issue. I am taking a 6 month vacation to another warmer country one day to test out the 'air'!
Posted 10/22/2008 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I've seem to notice seasonal issues with me too. I'm in Michigan. Last year I flared right around Halloween, this year it was at the beginning of September. I also seem to have issues around March too.
Posted 10/22/2008 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
What do you think causes this? I know I stress more in the fall due to the holidays and I think I have the Seasonal Affective disorder. Are you eating heavier foods like chilli or thick soups in the fall that could cause flares?
Posted 10/22/2008 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have change in stress, but change in seasons definitely plays a role. Can't imagine why or how!
Posted 10/22/2008 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
I'd imagine its something to do with either allergies or lowered immune function at this time. Most people tend to get normally sick(colds, flu's, allergies, whatever) this time of the year so I'd imagine we catch bugs as well that may not manifest themselves as runny noses, coughs, as with other people, but instead as colitis flares. or maybe we get all of the above.
Posted 10/22/2008 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
My doctor's nurse told me she's observed a definite seasonality with UC, and that this fall, it's come earlier than usual. "Once one of you calls, you all start calling." I wonder why no one is studying this? There must be some environmental component. I suspect Vin's on the right track.

Oh, and glamourgirl, my brother, who also has UC ahd was diagnosed 4 years before me, says he has problems in spring, too.
Posted 10/22/2008 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Rest assured emory, there are people studying this... Its just frustrating due to the variability of the disease and the different responses that are manifested by the individuals.

I agree with Vin. However, i think its the overactive immune system of a UC patient is what creates the flare. The immune response is what causes inflammation in an already predisposed genetic carrier. An unchecked immune response causes the mucosal lining to be irritated which further causes bleeding and ulcerations. So when some get hay fever or sniffles as the seasons change we UC'ers get the big "D" instead or in addition to allergies.

I've noticed that drastic temp. changes, moldy environments and unclean air threatens me out of remission seasonally. I ramp up on Vit C, keep my core temperature as normal as possible, and run an air purifier on high in my bedroom when I sleep.
Posted 10/22/2008 7:34 AM (GMT 0)
in psychology we learned that most people have depression or stress related problems during the fall and winter seasons do to the fact of holidays, and environmental changes along with the gloomy looking days, and holiday debt. So correct me if im wrong but stress and depression reflect our disease.
Posted 10/22/2008 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, gotta love the change of seasons. I'm not stressed at the moment and actually I feel pretty good emotionally right now. However, since it started getting cold here I've noticed a change in my Uc a bit. Yesterday I started seeing blood again and my stools are becoming looser. I have always flared in the fall and spring without fail.
Posted 10/22/2008 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
January is my month to flare without fail.
Posted 10/22/2008 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Spring is my flare time.
Posted 10/23/2008 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
Isn't seasonal depression (actually is medically recognised as SAD) linked to reduced vit D intake since the sun is what makes/converts this vitamin in our bodies?

Maybe it's the same for UC?
Posted 10/23/2008 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene maps to a region on chromosome 12 shown to be linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18752562?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Posted 10/23/2008 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
More research - I don't know about anyone else but I think I'll start taking vit D as well...

Emerging evidence supports a pathological link between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Therefore, vitamin D deficiency may compromise the mucosal barrier, leading to increased susceptibility to mucosal damage and increased risk of IBD.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17962355?ordinalpos=9&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Posted 10/23/2008 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
 

Seasonal here too . . seems to always correspond with the holidays every year.  I sometimes starts as early as October or November but usually because of pre-holiday stress.  Very fun. 

Posted 10/23/2008 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
How many other people have problems around the holidays? My nurse just recommended that I stay on Canasa at least through the holidays, even if I'm not flaring, as she notices a lot of people having "miserable" flares (as opposed to major ones) around that time.
Posted 10/23/2008 9:15 PM (GMT 0)

emory said...
How many other people have problems around the holidays? My nurse just recommended that I stay on Canasa at least through the holidays, even if I'm not flaring, as she notices a lot of people having "miserable" flares (as opposed to major ones) around that time.

The holidays are bad for me too.
Posted 10/23/2008 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Funnily enough, looking back I can't remember a summer when I've been flaring - unless i've been drinking heavily in the sunshine - which is of course self inflicted agony :s
Posted 10/23/2008 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Count me in on the seasonal flare. First come the sniffles, then come the poops.
Posted 10/26/2008 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
I think I notice it more during the holidays because I'm out and about, shopping and such, more.
So needing to go often makes it difficult!!

Yesterday evening I made it six hours: Ate light fast food dinner (burger meat, no bun), went to a high school football game (snuck in a nice big glass of wine, in a McDonald's cup), went to a bar, had an order of fries (only thing on the bar menu without gluten) and another glass of wine, and made it home. Yippee!! I was so happy. Small victories.
Posted 11/2/2008 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'm also an autumn flarer. Each of my 4 flares has gotten slightly earlier in the year (my first one was around November and this time I started the last week of August). My flares always lasted until February or March. This time -- because I finally got diagnosed and now have meds -- I hope to get into remission before the holidays.
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