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Initial flare symptoms

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/11/2010 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with a moderate-severe colitis in Aug 09. I had lots of bleeding and very bad cramps with the initial flare.

After being in remission for the last few months (achieved though Pred) ...and being almsot completely symptom free..I am experiencing some symptoms again.

It started with seeing a couple of drops of blood with well formed stool..my doctor thought it was hemmorhoids since I was actually a bit constipated. This cleared up in a week or so..and not there is no blood..but I am having looser stools now..not totally loose (sorry for teh detailed description of the grossness :)).

In addition, I am having lots of gas, and some crampy pain..could this be an oncoming flare? if yes, what can I do to make it stop (if anythng )..

 

Posted 1/11/2010 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone's flares are different, and each flare you have will probably be a little different from the last.

For me, most of the time my flares begin with slightly looser than normal stools, and I usually have a TON of gas and cramping.

It sounds like you may be beginning a flare.  If the symptoms continue for more than a couple of days, you should call your GI doc.

Good luck and I hope this is not a flare for you!

Posted 1/11/2010 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
It definitely could be. I'd call your GI and ask about recctal meds, specifically mesalamine enemas. They do a fantastic job of treating the part of the colon they do reach and are much better at treating the lower portion than oral medications are. I have chosen to stay on enemas (using them two nights a week) even when I'm in remission, because studies show that people who use enemas in addition to oral meds stay in remission for longer than people who use oral meds alone.
Posted 1/11/2010 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like it well could be...sorry.
So, as Fruitgirl suggests, call your GI before it gets much worse, and ask for the rectal meds.
And are you taking any probiotics? They really can help. VSL in particular keeps me from bleeding - twice I've run out of it and have bled, proving the point!

I always have that hugely gassy thing before a flare. Most of the time I don't have cramps - I'm lucky there.
Good luck to you!
Posted 1/11/2010 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the responses. It is posible to have a flare without bleeding or urgency? I have had this state for about a week now..will it progress to bleeding gradually? How can I find out if I am flaring or not for sure?

Thanks again!!

Posted 1/11/2010 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Well, some people don't have much bleeding...I didn't have all that much, and I was flaring horribly (20-ish *urgent* BM's a day at my worst) when I was diagnosed. And yes, it's possible to not have urgency, too. The only real way to know it is a flare is to have a c-scope or an s-scope, and who wants to do that???!! Or, you could just let things go and see what happens, but then you might set yourself up for a bad flare which could result in another course of pred to get you back into remission.
Posted 1/12/2010 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot fruitgirl.

I did see my GI..a little earlier..when i was not having as much gas..and he said its not a flare - but maybe IBS + hemorrhoids..I am not sure if I should go back to him again.

My symptoms are still only - lots of gas + slightly loose stool - only 1 BM a day. I also have a c-scope scheduled in 15 days anyway..

Would you still advise me to start rectal meds anyway?

Thank you very much for your advice and taking the time to reply.

Posted 1/12/2010 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Um, I'd call your GI...I don't want to advise anyone to start a med per say, based on their symptoms. I tend to suggest rectal meds a lot because they're so helpful to so many. :) Have you made any diet changes (more fiber, more water, etc) that might acount for the gas and loose poos?
Posted 1/12/2010 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Definately give your doctor a call and get on top of it early. The longer you wait doing nothing not only will you get worse but it will take longer for treatment to get you back on track.
Posted 1/12/2010 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
Absolutely feel this one as being early symptoms of a flare....it'll serve you well in the future.

I would suggest that you request rectal meds rather than the doc putting you on pred again. Again, it'll serve you well to learn how to use them effectively as treatment and to taper to maintenance.

Constipation is a symptom of low rectal inflammation, and if you had hemmies that were bleeding, that in itself could trigger a flare.

Regarding gas...does it seem it kind of hits the rectum and feels really full but isn't that easy to expel? That too is more flare-related.

You could ask the doc to start the meds earlier than waiting for the c-scope. The prep/scope can exacerbate a flare as well...so really it'd be in your best interests to deal with it early regardless than being in discomfort and having a potential flare get worse.

I would also suggest some fibre supplements and probiotics....

Is your UC diagnosed throughout or limited?

Welcome to the forum,
quincy
Posted 12/6/2017 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
I am also still pretty new to this diagnosis. Have had diarrhea for about five days. No blood, no stomach cramping. Should I be taking my rectal meds? I take humira every other week, and messalamine tabs daily. I'm so scared that this is a flare up, but it doesn't feel like one. Thanks, at the very least, for listening. UC has ruined my life.
Posted 12/6/2017 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum but sorry you have to deal with UC like we do. You'd probably get a better response if you created a new thread, rather than revive this one from 7 years ago!

Jess705 said...
Should I be taking my rectal meds?

Yes, please take your rectal meds as prescribed. They help a lot.
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