Started a flare - need tips

I started my 2nd flair and hoping i can get it under control without having to go on prednisone. I'm really scared and nervous. It started this past Sat - had 4 bms. Went from formed to mush to watery. Sunday - had 4 bms again. Not as much as Saturday but I also didn't eat very much over the weekend. Monday I had no bm but had a lot of rumbling and felt backed up in my gut and a lot of gas. Today so far had 6 bms and my stomach feels gassy, rumbly and upset. My last two bms are very watery (diarrhea). I haven't seen blood yet but mucous on TP. I'm also seeing asacols in my poop. Since sat. I went on low residue diet but it's not helping. I've been taking my vitamins, metamucil 3 caps a day, and probiotics 30billion (3 caps). I was prescribed generic melamine rectal meeds and I'm gonna do it for the first time although I'll probably crap it out with my D. Please give me suggestions on what has helped you get a flare in control. I just got off pred 3 mos. Ago and don't want to take it again so soon. Any advice on keeping rectal med inside me while having the runs is appreciated too. Thanks in advance.

Current meds/supplements: asacol 400mg x 10 a day; rainbow lite prenatal multiple-vitamin; citracal calcium with d3; vit d 1000iu; solaray probiotics 20-30 billion
Starting melamine rectal enema 60ml tonight
Low residue diet: banana, GF banana muffins that I made; scrambled eggs, chicken soup, potato, rice, bake chicken, ground turkey, apple sauce, apple juice

It's good that you're not in denial that you are flaring -- like me! The first relapse was really tough for me. I flared full force and wasn't listening to anyone about enemas and mesalamine suppositories (Canasa). Had to go back on pred. Do your best to hold in the enemas. Can you add Canasa?

I used Cortifoam and Anusol suppositories 3 times a day - I have proctitis - according to my doctor and then tapered to twice a day and then once and every other day, etc. until in remission.  Worked for me.  I cannot take mesalamines at all.  Low residue diet also helped me.

ElaineNY

Tou can also try taking Immodium.

 

Take it after you have a BM that is loose and you can even take it a few times. It will stop the spasming so that you have a better chance of holding in the enemas.

 

Good luck. Keep hydrated with lots of water too!

I do fine with broccoli and other vegetables, well-cooked.

Yes, the mesalamine enemas are generic Rowasa (Perrigo brand, by any chance? That's what I have....)

Even if you don't keep the enemas all night, it will help some.
You could also try squirting in just half or so, if that seems less scary.

I was heart sick when I relapsed. Like you, I thought my flare was over for good and as long as I stuck with my meds, I would be OK. I relapsed after dropping from 12 to 6 Asacol and being off prednisone a month. Had to go back on prednisone because I let things get way out of hand. Things had whipped up the colon and the rectal meds don't reach there. Asacol does though, but I believe it can only keep you in remission and doesn't do much to get you out of a serious flare (my opinion)

Then I went into remission and had rectal inflammation a third time which is the start of a flare for me. Hit it with an increase in rectal meds, increase in Canasa (suppositories) increase in Asacol, every big mesalamine gun there is. It worked. Now I'm tapering down and I'm watching what I eat. Nothing too rough on the colon.

Don't wait on the suppositories. Give it everything you got.

Oh, psyllium husk (or the pricier metamucil) bulks up stool. Mix it in a fruit and water drink. Stir it up and chug a lug.

Good luck. Sounds like you are really looking out for yourself.

Need to update my signature. Diet is low fiber and gluten free. Minimal sugar. No dairy, coffee. Had a Think Thin fudge bar today.
Asacol 400mg x 10; mesalamine rectal med nightly but thinking of skipping tonight. Solaray probiotics 20 billion. Rainbow lite multivitamin. Citracal x 2. Vitamin D3 1000iu.
My GI told me to stop Metamucil while I was having diarrhea - should I start taking it again since I seem to be constipated now?

I agree, keep doing the enemas. Gas may or may not be related to the enema. Yes start the Metamucil once you seem C. If the enema isn't hurting you (allergic reaction some people have) keep doing it.

Keeping between D and C is a fine line.

Continue the enemas....it's helping, and your stools will change as the inflammation lessens.

What you're experiencing NOW is what I determine as my flares....continue them. You might need to be on them nightly for at least 2 weeks or more.

Make sure you're eating enough food, fibre supplements, probiotics, and of course...water.

It's 100% you can keep them in overnight.  Try not to micromanage your symptoms and not see these changes of what a flare can look like when it sometimes starts.  That's why when others have the same symptoms, I suggest starting the rectal meds....but many wait until symptoms get to where they recognise as a flare, which is still OK.  We all wish some symptoms will just go away ... lol.

q

Interestingly, my GI had recommended I start Metamucil when I was having D - to bulk up the stools and give them more form. These days I increase the dosage when my stools get looser, because it solidifies them!
When I stop the Metamucil for the 5 days before a scoping (like this past week) I notice it takes about 48 hours for it to leave my system, and about 48 hours for it to have effect again once I re-start. So.... I hope the Metamucil you took today does something for you soon, but if it takes a while, that's only what I've noticed.
It sounds to me as if things are indeed improving for you; what I learned from my first GI is to watch for the trend rather than angsting over every poop (which I tend to do - lol)!

quincey - just wanted to know why take probiotics a while after other meds.  I always take mine with my nighttime meds!

ElaineNY

My directions say....
"When is the best time of day to take Align?
It doesn't matter what time of day you take Align. We recommend that you take Align as part of your daily routine, at a time that will be easy to remember—such as when you take your usual vitamins or medications, or with your first cup of coffee."

Of course, there are many different probiotics and Align is probably not one of the strongest/best but works for me and I will continue to take it before bed.
ElaineNY

Well, unlike some here I only take one Align a day.  Only once when I took antibiotics for a week I took 2 but right along with night meds - works for me!

I tried a couple others way back at the beginning of my dx but they just made me gassy and feeling worse.

ElaineNY