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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/12/2008 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Right now I feel bloated and constipated, but when I have a BM its nothing but liquid and a few lumps. There is not blood at first and doesn't seem to occur until I try to force out a stool. Then blood turns on like water works and drips out. Sorry its so graphic, but I'm sure that others have been in my shoes. I don't really have abdominal pain until I push on my lower abs. Within a few minutes of trying to massage out a stool I have to go and its all liquid. Also, when I feel a BM coming on I get a sharp pain in my butthole. The pain seems to come in waves. I started experiencing a flare last week and thought I was over it about a week after it started. That night I went out and had three glasses of wine. I woke up the next morning at 5:00 am to very bloody diarrhea. Since then, the blood has decreased a little, but the diarrhea is still there. It has been 5 days. Right now I'm down to about 6-8 BMs a day. Should I be really concerned? And can this go away on its own like the last flare seemed to? Any help would be appreciated. This flare doesn't really seem at all like the last one where I was glued to the toilet. Is it normal to have blood in the stool for every BM or is a little bit ok? I've only had UC for about 6 months and have had 2 flares so far. But, this one isn't like the others. I am not having bad abdominal pain. I'm still taking 4.8 g Lialda a day. I'm hesitant to go back to the doc out of fear that he'll put me back on Prednisone.
Posted 11/13/2008 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
about the dripping blood - I sort of have (had) the same thing and I attribute that to hemorrhoids. I've got a few close to my anus and sometimes they make BMs painful as they pass through. Also if I push hard, then blood drips out. At one time the dr gave me some suppositories that soothed the hemorrhoids and seemed to work pretty well. Now I try not to push because the more pushing I do, the more irritated the hemorrhoids get the more they bleed. After a while I could tell the difference between UC blood and hem. blood. The hem blood was definitely fresher looking and more topical. The UC blood what mixed in a little more with the stool and less noticeable. That's been my experience, but realize everyone is different - I hope this helps.
Posted 11/13/2008 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
MemphisMarine,

If those are new symptoms for you, you'd best get in to see your doc asap.

:)
Posted 11/13/2008 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
I decided to call the doctor in the morning. I'm sick of crapping blood. I think he said that the next med he would try is colazal. If that doesn't work what else are my options? Should I ask about Remicade or is it too soon to jump striaght to it?
Posted 11/13/2008 6:19 AM (GMT 0)
Discuss your options with your doc when you talk with him, if he's any good he'll lead you down the path that's best suited for you.

:)
Posted 11/13/2008 6:28 AM (GMT 0)
Don't force your BMs out. This is VERY crucial to controlling the bleeding. Even if you feel you have to still go, don't strain. This will only increase inflammation which leads to more pushing which leads to more inflammation and bleeding. See the cycle here? Each time you strain you worsen your colitis and keep the flare active by aggrevating injured tissue in the colon/anus. Try to resist the urge to strain and let the BMs move on their own in a calm unforced state.

Give your colon a break and some time to heal by eating foods that you digest well for the next few days. Avoid red-dyed drinks (like red wine and fruit punch) that can carry over into your stool.
Posted 11/13/2008 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
That can be a catch 22 ucwarrior because not getting them out (expecially when you feel the need to go) can cause severe constipation...what a crappy disease this is! You can't win for losing.

:)
Posted 11/13/2008 7:03 AM (GMT 0)
pb4 Yeah you're not kidding! This disease can be a real pain in the butt.

I want to be more clear on what I was getting at. I was not suggesting holding the BM in, just not confusing tenesmus with actual movements. The first few years after I was dx'd, I used to strain until my face was blue because I kept feeling like I had more to get out after every BM. That always led to more bleeding and more urgency throughout the day. I learned that quality BMs were more effective than quantity BMs for lowering inflammation. Sorry if I was a little unclear, I just wanted to convey some experience to this fellow.
Posted 11/13/2008 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
     I wouldn't push for the Remicade just yet.  I have been on Colazal for several years.  Down to six a day now because (hope I don't jinx myself) I have been in remission for almost two weeks...yippee.  But while I was flaring, and this was a very long flare, I bled with every movement.
Posted 11/13/2008 1:36 PM (GMT 0)

Memphismarine,

I was recently dx'd in June with UC and have been on a coarse of Asacol 400mg 3 pills 3 times a day and 3 rounds of predinsone for flares. I agree with the others that a quality bowel movement means more than the quanity and not "straining" will keep the inflammation down. Although, I have recently been put on 6mp due to not being able to stay out of a flare when I taper from predinsone so hopefully your doctor will stay on top of your condition, but that can only happen if he is aware of all your symptoms and progress.  So far dietary and lifestyle changes have not helped so I am hoping 6mp will help me get into remission.

Good Luck.

Posted 11/13/2008 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I talked to my GI over the phone. He put me on 20 mg prednisone. He thinks that I have become steroid dependent and that we are going to discuss Remicade on my next office visit in a week. I went to the Infliximab website and looked at all of the possible side effects. It looks pretty scary. Has Remicade worked well for anybody? Also what side effects did you experience?
Posted 11/13/2008 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
    A lot of people in here have had good results with Remicade.  My GI doctor was pushing it for about two years now.  When I worked in a hospital lab back in the 60's (I'm an old lady), I was exposed to the TB virus.  I did a LOT of reading about Remicade and the side effects.  I KNOW it can cause the TB virus to activate and it really could be fatal for me.  That is only my case.  Funny thing is....my GI's associate took care of me while I was hospitalized and said..."Absolutely, Remicade is NOT for me."  So there you have it.  I still go to my original GI doctor only because I caused quite a stir in his office when I asked to be seen by his associate.  However, I had a good long discussion with him and he knows not to even bring up the subject of Remicade.

     So be well informed about everything.  It is your life, and you only get one chance around.

      One more thing....what makes your GI doctor think you are steroid dependent?  Did you try 6MP yet?  20 mgm of prednisone is not that high of a dose.  My GI doctor put me on 40 mgm of prednisone the end of September for one week, then taper to 30 mgm the following week, 20 mgm the third week and then tapered by 5 mgm every week thereafter. This along with the 6MP, Colazal, Cort enemas and Canasa did the trick.  It took a long time though.  But it did it without the Remicade!  Good luck.  By the way....I love Memphis and I LOVE ELVIS!!!

Posted 11/14/2008 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
geee....no one even mentioned rectal meds????

OK, I'll do it....

ask your doc for rectal meds.

q
Posted 12/2/2008 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I am now up to 60 mg of prednisone. I got upped today from 40. I just started 50 mg Imuran about 1.5 weeks ago. If 60 mg doesn't knock out this stubborn flare then I think that my doc is going to try Remicade. He doesn't want to wait three months and see if it is going to work if the prednisone doesn't take care of this. We are going to start doing the preliminary blood work just in case. Right now, surgery is sounding like a great option.
Posted 12/3/2008 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
I think Quincy's spot on. I'm amazed your doc hasn't suggested a topical application of pred - ie steroid enema (foam enemas can be easier to retain than liquid ones). Does anyone else think that six months to cry "steroid dependant" is a bit of a rush, too?

Do you know how your blood counts are looking?
Posted 12/3/2008 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't gone to medical school, but I did ask my doctor why he thinks that I have become steroid dependent. Since May of 2008 I have been on prednisone except for a few weeks. Within those weeks I get into a bad flare. This is my third bad flare this year. The first time 40 mg took care of things. Within a few weeks of being off of prednisone I had another bad flare. We tried, 20, then 40, then finally 60 mg pf prednisone to knock it out. I tapered down 10 mg/week. After being off of prednisone for about 3 weeks I found myself in another bad flare. The Lialda wasn't working. I believe that he is trying oral meds that will allow me to stay in the Marine Corps. Its a lot easier to fight in a battle carrying some pills than it would be carrying a crap load of other stuff. I've already lost my job as a pilot. And if having the surgery allows me to live a normal life and keep my job, I'd do it tomorrow.
Posted 12/3/2008 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
uh....rectal meds? or do you have an aversion to that suggestion since you didn't comment?
q
Posted 12/5/2008 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
     I agree with Heather.  Try either Rowasa or cort enemas.  I also took Canasa suppositories while flaring too.  Are you taking any probiotics?  Give them a shot.  I was in a long flare this year too.  It lasted seven months, bummer.  Don't know what finally kicked in, but as long as I feel "normal" again..that is all that matters to me.
Posted 12/5/2008 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
I talked with my flight surgeon about everything that is going on. He is going to call a couple of other GI docs in the Corpus Christi area and get their opinion about my treatment. This is my 3rd day at 60 mg of prednisone. I have noticed a considerable decrease in my cramping during the day. However I am still experiencing bloody diarrhea in the morning. Withing 30 minutes of taking the prednisone I start to feel better. During the past couple of days I've had a huge increase in gas. Thank God my fiance is not around to experience it. Its pretty bad. The last time I flared the doc put me on Canasa suppositories for a month. I'm not sure why he hasn't put me back on the suppositories. I think that my flight surgeon is going to start to do some digging and find out just how good my GI doc is. I'll keep y'all posted on how things work out. I just want to get better and be able to stay a Marine
Posted 12/6/2008 7:52 AM (GMT 0)
proactive....part of the responsibility to ask questions regarding your care is yours!

q
Posted 12/6/2008 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Memphis Marine,

Not so quick! I've had colitis since the late 90's and have been through the entire gamut of treatments. I was in the 5% that was out of control and didn't respond to anything for any length of time. Then my new sister-in-law; who is an MD said she heard of a study done with anti-depressants/anti-anxiety meds. I tried Zoloft and much to my complete surprise, it worked.

Let me backtrack here. I was then married to a very stressful person and was basically blind to it.

After we divorced, I tapered off the Zoloft and stayed in remission for 2 yrs. Then the X caused trouble that made me stressed beyond belief. I flared again.

That was two years ago. So what I am saying is that our grandmothers are correct in saying it's the crap that goes on in our heads and our outside stresses.

Please don't even consider surgery until you try one of these medications. I had it prescribed from my regular MD. My gastroenterologist poo poo'ed it.

Recently I experienced another stressful period and am going to the doctor on Monday to get back on it.

Good luck to you!

Post Edited (cta) : 12/6/2008 10:35:02 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/6/2008 4:02 PM (GMT 0)

MemphisMarine,

I have been reading this forum for a few years looking for a fellow military member. I am a E-7 in the Air National Guard. I also am a medical technician, that happens to work with a handful of great flight surgeons. I would love to chat with you about what you have been going through, and how removing your colon may affect your career. If you would like my e-mail address I would love to get in touch with you.

I won't be able to check my civilian e-mail for a few weeks because I am TDY currently with only military internet access.

And I also understand your situation with your fiance....I'm really glad most of my episodes happen after he is gone. I don't care how many years you have this disease, it is still embarassing :)

I am not allowed to take Prednisone without being disqualified from deployment status. So you are fortunate.

Hope to talk with you soon...

I also would like to talk about immunizations and how they have affected my disease.

Have a great day.

Posted 12/6/2008 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
fuzypants26,

Whats your DOD email address? I use [email protected] as my primary. I'd love to chat with a fellow military member who has this disease. I'm desperately wanting to stay in the Marine Corps for as long as possible, especially since the economy is starting to suck. I'm about to pick up 1st Lt. in 2 weeks! My command has been very supportive about my disease and has allowed me to rest and recover without being SIQ; thank God for that. I have a med-board on Wednesday to be officially med-down because of this disease. Having UC has definitely crushed my dreams of being a pilot. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Nick
Posted 12/6/2008 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Nick,
It is a bit easier to stay in the military if you have your disease under control (so nuking it with remicade might be a good idea, just do whatever it takes to get your disease under control) and you have chosen a career path that is not going to deploy every other year. As a Surface Warfare Officer with crohns I could not do it, but I had also broken my back about the same time as I was DX with crohns (another IBD). Little Turbo on the crohns board could have stayed in the Navy as an intell officer, so that might want to be something you want to think about or else go into medical. Please feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any questions. I have not found alot of Marines with this disease, so I cannot tell you how the med boards are different for them.
Good Luck,
Navy
Posted 12/6/2008 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
MemphisMarine,
I do apologize that I have no e-mail access at this time. I will be back online Dec. 18th. I am an academy with no access to any e-mail, not even my normal military address.
Good luck with your medical board. I was non-deployable for 3 years, which meant I could only go to schools and places in the United States. I was re-evaluated in Aug 2008, and came back fully qualified to deploy. However........I then took the "flu-mist" intranasal vaccine which happens to be a "live" vaccine, and have been in a crazy flare since the beginning of Oct.
My best advice to you is to work as hard as you can to KEEP your colon before you have anything removed. It isn't spelled out in black and white in the regs so it is up to the board. Hopefully you have a panel of openminded doctors that have done their research about UC. Most "regualr" doctors only know the basics, and fail to realize you can live a healthy, and productive life with this disease. It is up to you to speak up for yourself and YOUR OWN health. Yes, you belong to the government but YOUR health is in YOUR control.
I am sorry again we cannot e-mail before your board. I really think you and I are in the same boat.
Take care, and Good Luck
Thank you for your committment to the Marines!
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