Strange Change in Symptoms of UC

I have had a strange shift in symptoms to something I've never experienced before, and was hoping somebody had some input.

about 2 months ago I started having a colitis flare, the first in many years. It was characterized by bloating, constipation, gas, and a good amount of blood in the stool. These were familiar symptoms. about a week ago it totally changed- suddenly there was no blood, but there was VERY much increased urgency. I had to run to the bathroom 5 times a day and again at night. And the stool had changed to be completely liquid.

Where the toilet bowl used to be a complete bright red from blood, with hard formed stools that were difficult to pass, now there is no red, (presumably no blood) all brown, undigested food, and no visible clots of blood or whatever you call them. And the stool is completely liquid as I said and passes easily to say the least. I hadn't had any change in medication; I wasn't taking anything at all.

The pain feels very different, and is in a different place, and happens much more frequently. It feels now more like having the stomach flu or something; I feel queasy sometimes and almost like I am going to throw up at the same time, with chills and an almost feverish feeling. The pain with my "conventional" colitis was way lower down, I guess in the colon and rectum as I tried to pass something, and only happened when I had to use the bathroom. Now it feels like a crazy upset stomach, throughout the day. The best thing I can compare it to is when I had some bad mussels and was up all night getting them out of my system. Colitis for me in the past never felt like that, including in the month leading up to last week when this started to happen.

Is it possible that there is some kind of infection, bacterial or otherwise, interacting with the colitis perhaps, but just an awful unrelated coincidence happening at the same time?

The doctor I saw was dismissive of this. I wonder what he might have said if I had not mentioned colitis when I went in there and just described my current symptoms? As soon as I said colitis he stopped paying attention to my descriptions.

If anybody has any input I'd greatly appreciate it, thanks!

Lenny-
I notice that no one has responded to your post and, frankly, I was reluctant to do so.
But, what you describe is frightening (to me). I would suggest you contact your doctor and ask to speak to (at least) a nurse to describe your symptoms.

Another option: I don't know where you are located but in my area we have Urgent Care Clinics (not ERs) where you can go without incurring ER costs.
You might have a stomach flu or it could be something more serious.
Either way, you deserve to get some advice and relief.

Be careful to stay hydrated.

I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling this sick.  Your symptoms sound almost like a diverticular attack considering the fever, nausea, chills, and the bm changes.  If it is diverticulosis, you should NOT wait to see someone. Hope you get good news!  Keep us posted.

Was this a gastroenterologist or primary care dr?

Hi Lenny

I too have UC and last summer I developed similar symptoms. Just constant fluid d... Can you feel your colon grumble like a blender before you gotta go? I know this feeling. And no b, ya I remember this too well.

Uh well, I tried treating with hydrocort enema and lialda and nothing happened. I even tried a 48 fluid diet, and that didn't help (in the passed, this helped greatly with the blood (and this still works now too, now that these fluke symptoms have passed)) After about 3 weeks of these symptoms I got really really weak, like anemic ( I was to find i was very anemic). I started to develop severe lower back pain and a temperature.

So I was admitted to hospital I was dx'd with severe UTI and some abscesses on my right kidney, after a week hospital stay, and a few antibiotics that did not work at all, I was treated with cefpodoxime which put all my colitis symptoms into remission (while on the antibiotic), and cleared up the abscesses on the kidneys. I am a male, so for a 21 yr old male to have such a bad UTI was out of the ordinary. My GI does not believe it is colitis related, but perhaps some bacteria from the colon made it to the kidneys. Interesting enough, I had no UTI symptoms. none, save for the back pain. Also, I was tested for cDiff in hospital it came back negative. But who knows what kind of other bacteria can cause flares like this!!!

After I was off the cefpodoxime (not cipro... cipro causes D), I slowly started to get my more familiar colitis symptoms. I slowly started SCD diet to get where I am today. This all happened in July, and I never experienced those symptoms again.

I wish you luck, hopefully you end off better than me!!!

Thanks for all the informative replies and support

The way you describe your changed symptoms is the way my symptoms have always been. I was negatively tested for all the bacterial possibilities and treated with antibiotics on a random 'we have nothing to lose' basis before I was diagnosed with UC following a colonoscopy. I am not a classic sufferer it would seem as I do not pass blood - not ever - in fact this was why they didn't test me for UC initially, but my daily symptoms are rather like those you are currently experiencing. Mindoeverbutter asked "Can you feel your colon grumble like a blender before you gotta go?" and that is exactly what it's like. When I feel that sensation I go pale because I know that means an urgent visit will be necessary. So it may be a change in how your symptoms exhibit or it could be an infection. The only way to find out is to be tested.