Getting worse again

Just when i think things where settling down, the last 2 days i have been bleeding REALLY badly, loads of mucus and the urgency is starting again. I don't have loose stool, for some reason it has turned into small hardish lumps.

I have been booked in for a flexible sigmoidoscopy but not until 22nd of March!! My blood results came back with high WBC'S, high FBC'S and high NEUTROPHIL count, so they think i might have an infection (Though i don't have loose stools) or chronic inflammation.

Anyway i am worried i am now only 40kg, i am not eating properly, due to lack of appetite and feeling uncomfy after eating. I just started yesterday, Natren B.infantis probiotic, and i have bought the full range of Natren, and hopefully be able to add them in slowly over the coming weeks.

I've heard lots of people talk about metamucil, is this something I should be taking? Is it good to take when your in a bad flare? What exactly would it do to help my symptoms?

Just so worried about the blood and all the mucus, i can honestly say in 15 nearly 16 years, i have never been this bad. I would normally flare for for just a week or so, and never this much blood, and my blood results have always been pretty stable.

I am sick and tired of feeling ill and that being the sole topic of conversation in our house this christmas!! It feels like this is never going to end.

I am just very scared, i know this may sound dramatic but i worry that maybe this is bowel cancer what with all the blood and pain. My kids are 6 and 11 and they are worried and get upset that i am going to die, now that does really make me feel so sad that they even have to think about that. I should be a fit and healthy mum, my kids shouldn't have to see me like this.

I understand the stress of having kids on top of UC.  I don't want my kids to worry about me and I don't want them to be scared, but it is what it is...I have to take meds and some days I don't feel great and I hate that for them.  I don't worry about me as much as I worry about them.

As far as the Metamucil...it help me because it bulks the stool a bit and in the other direction...keeps it from getting too hard.  It won't help with the bleeding or mucus but it will also help your probiotic work better.  Just take the fiber apart from your probiotics/meds.  You will want to start out maybe with a half dose per day so you don't get too gassy.  Then work your way up as you feel comfortable.   I've not had any problems with it, but there are some here who don't tolerate fiber supplements, flaring or not.  You never know what will help and what won't until you try.  Also, be sure to get Metamucil or something that's psyllium husk...the benefiber and other brands are not psyllium, and according to others, this is very important.

I hope you feel better soon!

I agree with Eva. Why no meds?

I personally can't do fiber in a flare (at least on insoluble), it makes the pain worse and everything passes through faster.

For nutrition, try some nutrition shakes or juice smoothies, whatever you can tolerate. Naked's protien shakes are high calorie and dairy free (and delicious), and any Naked or Odwalla smoothie has plenty of fruit and calories. Or you could try muscle milk. I also find homemade soups to be easy to eat.

     When was your last colonoscopy?  If bowel cancer is a main concern of yours, I would get one done ASAP.  You are foolish for not being on any meds.  What do you mean you cannot take them?  Are you allergic to ALL meds?  Do you have problems swallowing pills (my youngest daughter, age 32, has that problem, so I do understand this)?

     First things first though....get a colonoscopy then go from there.  While flaring, I stick to a low residue diet.  Not sure whether the probiotic I take does anything or not.  Have you tried flaxseed oil capsules?  I have a friend who swears by them but personally, I think they make my bowels too loose.

     Everyone is different.  Unfortunately, I find that this disease is made up by lots of trials and errors.  Rectal meds may help too.

     Are you in the UK or US?

So, I get that you have to wait to see your doctor, but what aren't they ordering stool cultures now if they think you have an infection?! If you have c.diff letting that go on unchecked is really serious! :o(

Juist keep taking whatever nutrition you can, and keep hydrated..... Did you ever try the vitamin e enemas? I believe some folks have found them helpful.

I really hope you find some relief soon. Hang in there.

Hey, I was just looking for clarification, not pointing any fingers. You just seem so miserable, & obviously the non-traditional routes you're going aren't doing anything. Go for surgery, if you're sick of it being the only topic of conversation around your house. 3 months is a long time to be in a bad flare- your own words. I hope you do find some relief- short term measures, drink a lot of liquid nutritional supplements, Ensure, etc. Eat sweet potatos, avocados, eggs. They don't seem to bother many people & are pretty easy to digest. Drink tons of water. Sleep! Or maybe give the biologics a try, if you're not rady for surgery.

Thankyou for the responses, I decided to ring the hospital tomorrow and see if they can scope me any sooner, but I shan't hold my breath! It's all very well getting scoped but I still can't see how I am ever going to get better if I can't take meds! Oh well

Can people just confirm for me that they also bleed lots during a flare? I mean what I an experiencing isn't abnormal is it? Apart from lots of blood and mucus and gas worse in the mornings with left sided pain, my bowels are formed? I find that odd I thought during a flare it was supposed to be loose?

Guess I just want some reasurrance that others are experiencing the same.

Colitisfree can you tell me more about this bees extract you use and more about the types of food you eat?

I am in the UK. I will look into more alkaline foods, as i am pretty bad at the moment and eat biscuits and chocolate as fruit and veg flare me up . I have been told manuka honey is good to eat.