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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/9/2011 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I am apparently heading in for an "emergency" colonoscopy.

I've been suffering from some crazy symptoms the past couple weeks (severe acid reflux, which I've never had before), on and off diarrhea, soft stool, mucus, and blood the other day along with four bowel movements in one day. I called my new GI, and he said, get in this coming week. (I was supposed to have one anyways, but with the increase in symptoms, he wants it sooner versus later.)

I apparently have to fast all day the day before (which is new to me...last colonoscopy I had, I could eat until prep started), and then to the following day. Ugh. I bought two large containers of broth, as I plan on eating that pretty much all day. Otherwise, I will be a total brat! Has anyone else had to fast for that long prior to prep?

Secondly, my symptoms have been coming and going. Sometimes I'll have urgency, sometimes not. Sometimes my stool will be soft and piece-y, sometimes not. I only had the blood for one day, but it was a lot. So, I don't quite know what's going on. It doesn't seem to really depend so much on what I eat anymore, but I'm just kind of wondering...what if it's not actually a flare, will the doctor still be able to tell that I do have UC or Crohn's? (I was diagnosed with UC, but this new doctor seems to suspect Crohns...)

Well, fingers crossed that we will find a solution to what ails me this time :)
Posted 9/9/2011 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Goodluck Girlzilla. I don't remember if I had to start fasting the day of prep or if I ate beforehand. I think it is smart to fast before because it will probably make the prep a bit easier. What prep are you doing? They all seem to be tough, I've tried 2 and I didn't like either of them. 4x a day isn't too bad but with the blood, mucous, and urgency, it is definitely worrisome. Hhopefully it is mild and you will be able to handle it with rectal meds. Did he recommend a stool test to check for bacteria? My GI never does but some do.

The biopsies should say "consistent with Ulcerative Colitis" or Crohn's.
Posted 9/9/2011 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Notsosicklygirl,

Thanks :) Yeah, I hope so, but at the same time...I will be so cranky!! Hahah :) I am doing dulcolax (4 in the afternoon/early evening), followed by the smaller bottle (200something) of Miralax mixed with gatorade. It's the same stuff I've used, but different timing. Bought lots of wipes though! Haha.

The strange thing is, I only had the 4x one day...since then I've been back to normal with one a day! Still have mucus occasionally (little bits) and urgency. I also have cramping and a lot of gas...so, I'm assuming that my 4x a day Lialda are keeping it at bay, but just barely.

Nope, no stool test.

Do the biopsies show that even without current inflammation? I'm worried that my "flare" symptoms are just me worrying too much, and aren't actually signs of a flare, but I don't want to go through this for nothing. He wants to see what's going on regardless, but I'm always worried about being the girl who cried wolf!
Posted 9/9/2011 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
girlzilla, I had a colonoscopy once while I was in a decent remission and the biospies showed "Inactive inflammation". It will be interesting to see what yours say.

I did the dulcolax/Miralax prep once and it made me throw up. The 2nd time I used visicol tablets and it was easier but I wasn't completely cleaned out. It was acutlaly hard to take the tablets after a while, it was like 10 tablets at a time every 20 minutes and they were big. I did prefer it over the Miralax prep.

It's great that you're only going once a day but the other symptoms are a bit worrisome. I sometimes have minor symptoms that come and go. I used to get really nuts everytime I saw anything abnormal but lately I have been restraining myself and trying to think positive. When was your last scope? We are realy supposed to get them every couple years since we have UC. I know it's annoying but maybe less so if you think of it as necessary for cancer prevention.
Posted 9/10/2011 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
The "standard" is to fast the entire day before the actual scope, no matter what time you start the prep.
Posted 9/10/2011 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks notso and fruitgirl. I appreciate all of your input!

@Fruitgirl: That's interesting, as last time, I didn't have to fast until about noon, with the prep starting at 3pm. But, my new doctor seems a lot more on the up and up, and is apparently one of the best in the field. So, I guess things they are a changing!
Posted 9/10/2011 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
I've never had a scope where I was able to eat the day before. I want to know how you got so lucky! lol I always had to do the clear liquid diet (no red or blue food dye stuff). But normally after I start the prep, I lose my appetite anyway.

What day is your scope?
Posted 9/10/2011 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
I've never been told not to eat the day before a scope but I learned the hard way that it's actually way less painful if I do mainly a liquid diet about 2 days before prepping (so much easier, way less cramping and poop that way).

Inflammation with skipped patterns (healthy tissue in between inflammed) of inflammation = CD....if the entire area is inflammed with no skipped pattern (patches of inflammation and healthy tissue then that = UC) that's the main indicator via scope that a good GI can tell the difference between CD or UC since with CD inflammation can happen anywhere in the GI tract (including the colon/rectom) but UC it's limited to the colon/rectom.

Good luck and I hope it's not crohn's.
Posted 9/10/2011 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
@Red34: When I had my first, it was...almost 6 years ago (apparently far too long!), and I recall being able to eat lunch the day before. I had to stop by...noon or so though for a prep by 3pmish. (You can tell this was a long time ago!! Haha) My scope is on Monday. Anddd I just realized I can't have the purple gatorade I purchased...it has red dye!! Why did I not think of this?!

@Pb4: Thanks for the insight...I'm keeping my fingers crossed it isn't Crohn's as well. As a UC'er for about two years now, I think that I would like to stay that way ;)
Posted 9/10/2011 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
With the gallon preps, you can eat a light breakfast/lunch/brunch all before 1:00. Start the prep between 4 and 6.

The cleanout is the best, as per my doc, but not all patients will use it.

All depends on the prep.
q
Posted 9/10/2011 12:02 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with the prep and scope! But you have good memory recall :) I don't think I can even remember the day of my first scope (other than being afraid) because that was 19 years ago! lol
Posted 9/10/2011 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
I use the gallon preps, and I've always been told I can eat a light breakfast the day before and have never had a problem with being cleaned out.

I guess it's a trade-off to drinking the stuff.

Posted 9/10/2011 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
They've told me no food at all the day before...not even a light breakfast! :(
Posted 9/10/2011 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
good luck! Let us know the outcome. For my scopes, I've always been instructed to have nothing but clear liquids the day before. I do have cream in my coffee, but that's it- figure the less I eat in the days leading up to it, the easier the prep is! I do the 2 liter prep, Half-Lytely.
Posted 9/10/2011 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Eva Lou :) I've been getting progressively worse since yesterday (my symptoms seem to cycle), so I'm definitely ready to see the results. I want answers at this point, even if they're not the ones I wanted to hear.
Posted 9/10/2011 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
"Go-Lytely" "Half-Lytely" who thinks of these names?
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