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Uc flair with constipation?

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Posted 7/1/2011 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

I'm a bit confused today because my Uc original flair started out with 9 months of pretty normal to constipation with small amounts of mucus laced with blood. Then in dec I flaired for 3 weeks. So I need your advice. All the Uc sights say blood mucus in diarrhea is a flair when I called my gastro he asked me am I sure I'm flaring? And why do I think so. Well the weird thing is I always feel fine I have one to three bowl movements a day with mucus and blood when I wipe. But I know if I don't take something to stop the bleeding how I will end up. I hate steroids and don't want to take them unless I have to im taking enemas but have to everyday.

do u think I could hold off on the roids and just take the imuran and see if it kicks in? He just gave me the percription yesterday for imuran and a month of steroids I know a month sounds like nothing but I was on high doses for 10 months in 2010 and suffered from real bad depression.

Thanks wink
Posted 7/1/2011 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
I'd watch personally, don't leave it late! and get seen by doctor asap. For me a flare starts off with diahreah but then goes into v bad constipation for about 4-5 days where I don't go to toilet and have a lot of cramps etc. Then the diahreah starts back up blood etc.

Even though you hate steroids, I hate them as well worst drug ever but it gets it under control! the longer you leave it the worse it gets in terms of weight loss, sickness and possible bowel perforation. SO may be best idea to go see the doctor, I can't see taking imuran sorting it because it's a drug that takes a long time to start working and if you are flaring already then it won't catch it in time. However there are other drugs out there like enemas and maybe even high dose pentasa that could maybe knock it on the head, but best bet is to go to the doctor as I said and don't leave things to get worse! as I have done this in the past and it's just made life 100 times worse.
Posted 7/1/2011 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Rose254,

Unlike most UC'ers, when flaring I'll not have 15-times-a-day diarrhea, but constipation or very hard stools. So, we are a very diverse group with multiple symptoms.

I've learned not to wait when the ugly head of UC raised its head. It's time to act.

However much you hate the prednisone (everybody does), if that what it takes to for reach the remission, then that is what it takes. Some people here have declared that they'd never resort to prednisone and would prefer to undergo a colectomy instead. It's a personal choice.

I hung tough against my doctor's best advice, choosing always prednisone instead of Remicade/colectomy, and finally found something that worked in my individual case.

Hopefully you'll make the correct decision and get better soon.
Posted 7/1/2011 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Rose..are you on any other meds such as 5ASA (mesalamine) oral AND rectal?
  If not...why?


I'd avoid the pred like the plague and push for the oral/rectal route of what I suggested. 

 I'd say you're flaring...albeit mild.  One shouldn't wait, and I credit you for recognising the changes.

q

Posted 7/1/2011 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Well I'm on 12 asocols a day. Im on two enimas and am have just gone back on imuran. I decided today to take the predisone I have to get the swelling down and that's the only thing that works then that's what I have to do. :)

Post Edited (Rose254) : 7/2/2011 8:00:44 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/2/2011 8:48 AM (GMT 0)

Rose254 said...
Well I'm on 12 asocols a day. Im on two enimas and am have just gone back on imuran. I decided today to take the predisone I have to get the swelling down and that's the only thing that works then that's what I have to do. :)

Good. Everyone hates prednisone, and i've been on NINE cycles of it in the last year and a bit. So pretty much non-stop it's affected me yes but thankfully I've not had it as bad as others!

But main thing is you knock it on the head, i've known of a lot of cases of people who leave it or refuse to go on it and perforation occurs etc and end up with emergency surgery.
Posted 7/2/2011 9:50 AM (GMT 0)

Rose254 said...
Well I'm on 12 asocols a day. Im on two enimas and am have just gone back on imuran. I decided today to take the predisone I have to get the swelling down and that's the only thing that works then that's what I have to do. :)

Yup, the darn prednisone is the only medicine that works when my flare-ups start spreading, so I've never much options; either prednisone or stronger meds or - as some prefer - colectomy. I always prefer the prednisone.

I can't even recall the number of prednisone regimens I've had to endure during my four decades with the UC, but it always results in a long remission.

Hang in there and get well. tongue
Posted 7/2/2011 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
I really just wish there was an easy way like I said in other posts after 3 months on 40mg I snapped and started to go into such a bad depression I look back now and I should have been given copeing meds at the very begining. I was so weak from blood loss, constant bathroom trips. The problem was i didnt realize i was sevearly depressed. And when my husband suggested it i felt like he was down playing the pain i was in. And predisone made me terrified of everything and very negative, I had every one of the signs of depression. I think it messes with me so much cause it changes my sleep patterns. Even though I slept with ambien I never felt refreshed. Takeing a shower was an effort. I just layed on the sofa and stared at the wall all day. I couldnt eat, sleep, or have the simplest joy. It all was like one giant day. It was the most horrible year of my life.
It just felt like I was stuck I knew what I used to like to do and what I should enjoy but I felt nothing. I was dragged to a estate sale and I picked items and would say I really used to love that had my husband buy them anyway so if I got better I would enjoy them.


And that's why I fear predisone so much

Post Edited (Rose254) : 7/2/2011 8:06:00 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/2/2011 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
What kind of enemas are you doing? If your inflammation is mostly on the lower left, you might consider trying hydrocortisone enemas. Fewer side effects than high oral doses of steroids for most people.
Posted 7/3/2011 3:17 AM (GMT 0)
I do both measlemeane and hydrocortisone everyother day:)
Posted 7/3/2011 11:06 AM (GMT 0)

Rose254 said...
[clip]

And that's why I fear predisone so much

Rose, nobody loves prednisone. I personally intensely dislike it. I've had very bad experiences with the drug, but ... it's the drug that has always worked in my individual case.

But what are your options? If something else works for you, excellent, go for it.

Best wishes
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