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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/19/2009 8:08 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, I am in need of some advice, for just over a week now I've had a nasty achy pain at the bottom of my back and have been using heat pads and a heated bean bag to help to ease it. Last Thursday I saw my gp as I assumed it may be a kidney infection. Doc tested my urine and sample was negative. He felt my tummy and back and decided it is more or likely arthritic pain courtesy of UC, and advised Codeine for the pain which I refused due to the risk of constipation thus other complications going forward. The pain is getting worse and I have developed itchy spots on my lower legs which appear and itch like mad for a few hours and then go down (I am getting 3/4 of these a day). I do not have any diarrhoea or blood, just very watery mucous and chronic fatigue. I took the day off work today and went back to bed until 2pm as I can't sleep at night. All of the tenderness seems to be lower back and belly button area and I have had a light bleed today (same as period although not due for 2 weeks)I am assuming this is due to the swelling and pressure in the belly button area? These symptoms are not like any flare i've ever experienced. Am I flaring or is my body giving me an early warning? I have recently been asked to sign up for a clinical trial for UC research. My Consultant says he wants to see me if there are any changes in my UC status, but I don't even though if these symptoms are UC related, this is all new to me and I don't know what to do. I have upped my Colazide to 2 x 3 a day and 2 x Asacol supps daily just in case.

Thank-you in advance for your responses.

Posted 1/19/2009 10:54 PM (GMT 0)

LOL..great title :-)

It's possible that you're ovulating...could be part of the discomfort.

The low back pain could be influenced by change in the weather patterns such as from high pressure to low pressure and up again.

It's good you were checked out for kidney/bladder infection.
Do you have a fever at all?

I agree to not take codeine meds for the pain....but you could possibly try a muscle relaxant product over the counter. Robaxacet or something like that.

But, since you are having some watery mucous and bleeding, I'd say it's for sure a flare. The back could definitely be related. or all of the above.

Are you on the predsol suppositories or the enemas?

I would, however, suggest you nix the echinacea...could increase the immune response considering you're kind of flaring.
I do take it for colds...it doesn't seem to bother me too much, but the last cold (one of three in two months) I was taking too much plus Cold FX,,I believe that was what helped to encourage my flare symptoms.

I can so relate to the lower back pain...mine is a constant, but when I'm flaring...it sometimes is in a "certain" place that's more nagging and continually painful.

Can you see a chiropractor for it? Accupuncture? Mild stretching?

Hope you feel better soon.

quincy

Posted 1/20/2009 5:42 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks Quincy, I will ditch the Echinachea for now and start taking the Codeine, I was hoping to not need it 'cos it makes me constipated etc but I guess I need to give in!

Regarding the Predsol... normally I use these but  I live in the UK and they have stopped manufacturing them for a year now so have been using the pred enema instead, these don't seem to work as well for me, I don't know why?

Can you think of any reason why I am getting these small itchy spots on my legs? They are driving me crazy. They appear and itch like mad for a few hours and have a white head on them, and then they stop itching and there's just a red dot left. I usually seem to get them them on my hands during a flare but this time all on my legs.

It is 5am when I am writing this and yet again I've had no sleep. This is so frustrating as I don't feel like im flaring, ie. no bad pain or rectal bleeding, just back pain/swelling and constantly tired. Another sick day from work is looming, I have a desk job and can't sit in one position for more than 10mins as it hurts like mad, not sure they will be understanding but I really can't go in like this, the mind is always willing but the body doesn't agree!! Such a frustrating disease.

Posted 1/20/2009 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
No idea about the itchy spots, but if I were you and had swelling in the back I'd go with ice and not heat. Heat will make more swelling unless you are alternating heat and ice ending with the ice. Any new pain one of the first goals is to reduce swelling, but most use heat and end up increasing the swelling although it initially feels good. Ice first 72 hours, then go with alternating heat and ice. Then can heat for more chronic aches. Just a few things you can do for yourself.
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