HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Can a flare be stopped?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/10/2011 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I posted a day or so that after 6 years in remission I am now into the beginning of a flare.
The only flare I ever had was the original one so this is a first for me.
I got that first under control and have been fine until now.
It's not full blown yet and hopefully I can catch it before it goes that way.
I only take 3 colazal tabs a day with breakfast and this has worked for these 6 years.
Should I increase my intake to the original 9 a day that was originally prescribed?

Any other info anyone may have I'd appreciate.
I have a colonoscopy scheduled for 2 weeks from now.
I know I could call my Dr but am hoping people with experience may have some input. Sometimes it appears there's more knowledge about UC here then anywhere. I will say I am very happy with my Dr so no reflection on him.

Just asking.
Posted 11/10/2011 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
It's a good idea to increase your meds. Tell your DR you're doing this.
Posted 11/10/2011 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
hi, i am sorry to hear you are flaring :(  i agree it would be wise to increase the medicine with your doctor's approval.  another thing to try would be rowasa enemas.  at one time they helped me escape a flare.  best to nip it in the bud if possible before it gets out of hand.  good luck, i hope you feel better soon!
Posted 11/10/2011 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with the others. Call your GI and tell him you're increasing your meds before you do it. If you go ahead and increase, you may run out of medication and end up in a bad situation down the road. It's always good to let your GI know what's going on regardless, you may need to get in to see him/her. I try to keep mine updated on my condition every so often. Of course, I haven't been so lucky, I seem to always be battling a flare up or worried that I am going to flare. I agree with Kate22 about rectal medication, whether you try Rowasa or Canasa (suppositories), they can be very helpful at stopping a flare.

To answer your original question though, I don't think every flare can be stopped. My last flare for example, was unstoppable. Even with prednisone, it took a LONG time to stabalize and I was rocky while tapering down. I don't think anything short of prednisone would have stopped that flare. Maybe Remicade or Humira but who knows. I had trouble getting off prednisone even after starting 6mp. I think in many cases, if you are aggressive from the first symptom, you may be able to stop a flare or buy yourself some time but not in every case. Some flares seem to be resistant to standard treatment. That brings me to another tought, you should probably get stool tests if you're suddenly experiencing symptoms. It may be due to a bug.

Posted 11/11/2011 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
I agree to call the doc rather than waiting for the c-scope.

Request the Rowasa retention enemas and ask if it's oK to up the Colazal to the original dosage.
If you can't get a hold of him till Monday, at the very least, increase to 6.

What exactly are the symptoms you've been experiencing at this point?

If you've had a period of constipation-type symptoms, smaller stools or thinner stools, more gas...that's when you should increase. Especially the rectals.

Can't experess the importance of rectal meds, especially since flares start at the rectum, no matter how high your original extension of UC was.

Welcome back to the forum...hope you feel better soon! Awesome you're wanting to treat early.

Stopping a flare....well, it's more like treating early so that it doesn't last as long, and maintenance of oral/rectal meds helps a LOT once the flare symptoms have quiesced and tapering to maintenance can begin.

Eventually we find our groove.

q
Posted 11/11/2011 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Symptoms ... about 3 week ago I started to get minor cramps. Nothing serious but noticeable. Then the constipation set in. Now with me that's what I usually have. I take stool softeners. Then I noticed that my BM's were starting to become VERY easy to pass. Not my normal.
Call me stupid but that's when the bell went off.
In the last week or so I have had very loose BM's, not D but very loose and complete fatigue.
My dr never lowered my meds from 9 to 3 tabs a day. I did, slowly , with his knowledge. This has held me for nearly 6 years. I upped my dose to 6 a day two days ago and can see improvement already (Fingers crossed).
Now we all know this can change by the time I finish this post but so far so good.
I don't want to up my meds to 9 yet.

Keep all posted.
Thanks for the feedback.
Posted 11/11/2011 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry your in a flare... just when you think you are doing great it hits you again. That's what is horrible about UC, it is chronic. The first thing my Dr. does is increase my Asacol and add Rowasa. good luck.
Posted 11/11/2011 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Are you going to call for the rectal enemas?

q
Posted 11/12/2011 8:08 AM (GMT 0)
Don't be hesitant to go up to the original dosage of 9. You can always taper down again. Of course, you may not have enough to get you through so get your doctor to reup your script. Also, definitely enemas. A lifesaver.
Posted 11/12/2011 5:09 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
Are you going to call for the rectal enemas?

q

Things are improving everyday. For now I'll just stay with the increased dose of my meds. I know of and agree with your advice quincy but I have this belief that every med you take has an effect on many parts of your body. I really try to stay away from meds. Now I know you'll most likely disagree with this and from being on this forum (on and off) for a few years I highly respect your advice. I do however seem to be on the track to controlling this. I will speak to my Dr Monday and see what he advises.
Thanks all for your helpful info, again I'll keep you posted.
Posted 11/12/2011 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
so basically, you have an aversion to use the enemas.
At the very least, you should be using the suppositories in conjunction with upping the Colazal.

Yes, I disagree with you, but it's your butt, not mine. I would hate for you to be backed against the wall and desperate....but...you've had a good run and it's a huge plus.

So, my advice is that you still consider them as an option and use them sooner than you would, let's say....pred.

q
Posted Yesterday 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
******UPDATE******

Had my C-scope today. Dr came in after and told me I was "Clean".
No signs of "Active UC". Everything went well. Everything is clear.

Still having problems though. The "Prep" still seems to be doing it's job.
I started it yesterday about 1PM and still passing mucus. Lots of it. Never had this happen before. Will say this is the first time I've used this prep. New to me.
Had me drink 64oz of Gatorade with Myralax (sp) then take 2 tabs of Dulcolax. right after I took the Dulcolax I started to feel cramps. Still cramping but not as bad.
I told the DR I was having cramps before the procedure after I didn't feel them until an hour or so.

Anyone ever have this happen to them?
Posted Yesterday 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Yes it happened to me It was horrible Dr sent me home with a script for hyoscyamine. I put 1 or 2 under my tongue and it makes me REALLY sleepy. I had really bad urgency issues and cramps. Im not sure if it was the UC, the scope, or the cleanse but I was pretty crabby for a couple of days.
Posted Today 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
hyoscyamine is for urgency and didn't help me for that; I hope it helps you. To control the inflammation you need to step up the anti-inflammatories, Rowasa or similar along with more Colozal.
I had a bad day yesterday, stepped up the mesalamine enemas and am already feeling better. Clear with yuo GI I agree.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply