new symptoms- cramping

Hi this is my first post. I was diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis in spring 2010. I have been having my first flare since starting my medication last year. It started just after Thanksgiving. It has been better the last month or so. I did have the stomach flu and bronchtitis so I have been on antibiotics twice in the last few months. I just went to my GI last Wed. and he was concerned about the antibiotic use. ( i didn't know it was an issue) so he had me tested for C-diff just to be sure. I haven't had any diarreah  just going about 5 times a day. I am still waiting for the test results back. My GI upped my Asacol to 6 pills a day, i was on 4. I started having stomach cramps on my lower left side on Friday. I have never had this before even before starting medication. I was wondering what people do for stomach cramps. It is sunday today, but I will call my dr. tomorrow and let him know the new symptoms. The cramps are random. sometimes  it is before or after a bowel movement, and sometimes before or after i eat, but I can't find a pattern. My latest one woke me up at 5:45 this morning. I still haven't gone to the bathroom so it doesn't seen to go away after a bowel movement but just lasts about 20-30 minutes. Any clues what might be causing this new symptom would be appreciated.

 I also take VSL #3  1 packet a day. Dr said to up it to 2 packets but still waiting for my new order in the mail.  I used to be on Canasa and was thinking about asking the dr. to add that back in. sorry it is so long.

Lori

Stomach cramps seem to be quite random - although I mostly seem to get them a couple of hours after eating.

Things that seemed to ease/help my cramps - eating smaller meals, sitting upright during and after meals.

As for Asacol, I was on 6 a day, then over December, gradually dropped back to 3 - some of my symptoms disappeared over the month!!

As ever with UC, I can't prove that the improvements were down to taking less asacol, but my diet hasn't really changed for 10 weeks so I think the Asacol reduction may be something to do with it.

Thanks for all  the advice. It is in my colon not stomach cramps. My dr. is at the hospital every Monday doing colonoscopies so the nurse said he will get back to me tommorrow. I did ok today, no major cramping just minor tenderness. I tried a heating pad and it really helped.

I take Bentyl for cramping.

Curious how the symptoms evolve and change over the years.......!