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What's your flare-up routine?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/2/2012 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hey folks,

New member here (2nd post), and I'm just wondering what everyone's routine for managing a flare-up is. Ignoring medication changes, do you do things like add or drop supplements, add or drop certain foods, exercise more or less...things of that nature?

I'm in the middle of my first what I would call significant flare up, and was wondering what's worked for people.

The main symptoms for my flare up seems to be a ridiculous amount of gas, stools varying form solid to loose, cramps and urge to go, as well as blood on the tissue.

I've been attacking the gas with simethicone (gas-x), with moderate success. Initially I took some immodium to help with the diarrhea, but it left me so bloated and uncomfortable i had to drop it. I also dropped my normal benefiber supplement. En lieu of the immodium, i did try donnatab, which seems to help with the stomach cramps.

I've been debating adding a fish oil or krill oil, but as my cortifoam treatments are starting to do their thing, I'm a bit weary of adding anything to the mix.

I've also had what appears to be some success with limiting my portion size. This is something i've been meaning to do anyways :)

So what's your routine?
Posted 10/2/2012 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely limiting portion size helped me. I found that when I ate until I felt full, I always wound up throwing up when I had a bm. Diet modification is a must for me when flaring. No fried foods, no junk foods, no spicy foods etc.
Posted 10/2/2012 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
bssharpie,

Welcome to the forum.

Great question. Sorry you are starting to flare.

The first thing I always did when I would start to flare was: increase the probiotics.

Then I would also: increase my intake of slippery elm powder, double my dosage of l-glutamine amino acid powder, and start a bowel rest routine for 1-2 days. The bowel rest for me, would mean 4-5 protein shakes (made with almond milk), and lots of water, and no other foods.

Are you on any current supplements?

Any probiotics, if so which ones?

Any diet modification?

 

Posted 10/2/2012 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Even though I eat very healthy, I still drop certain foods. I increase certain herbs and use marshmellow oil.
Posted 10/2/2012 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
I eat less, far less, exercise until I can't anymore and try to add soothing supplements (like aloe & coconut water). I've had flares and existed only on oatmeal for a bit..
I've also found that drinking clay helps when flaring.
Problem is, as with anything related to UC, every flare is different and the resulting measures needed to calm it also are also different. You have to listen to your body and act accordingly.
Best of luck!
Posted 10/2/2012 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
You should talk to your doctor as soon as you think you are flaring.
Posted 10/2/2012 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
     I had surgery in 2010, but when I suffered with UP (proctitis), I found that eliminating red meat and eating baked salmon (very gut friendly) three times a week was easier on my condition.  Probiotics really didn't help me at all.  You may want to try rectal meds, one in morning and one at night....either Rowasa, Cort enemas or Canasa suppositories...ask your GI doctor.  Stay away from sugary snacks.  I used Silk in my cereal (rice krispies) instead of milk and ate Activia yogurt for lunch.  Some people are bothered by yogurt, but I was not.

     Best of luck to you!

Posted 10/3/2012 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear you are flaring. Immodium was designed for diarrhea due to a short term tummy bug, not for those suffering from a colitis flare.

Immodium can be a factor in causing toxic megacolon.

http://www.zocdoc.com/answers/5474/can-imodium-trigger-toxic-megacolon-in-ulcerative-colitis-patients

I know what its like to bleed from ulcers in the colon and the debilitating pain and suffering really serve to focus the mind on what food I put into my body.

I will share my story with you. Take from it what you wish. I am no longer suffering at this point in time.

My flares were always D, 6+ times/day , occasionally bloody over about 15 years.
Also suspect I have RA (no official DX yet) due to unexplained back pain.
I'm only in mid 30's so am convinced my troubles are auto-immune based (was a major hayfever sufferer too)

When I flare I have to quit sugary foods like biscuits /cakes. Cravings are dealt with by chewing
celery sticks / lightly salted tortilla chips.

Before anyone slams me for these choices, its my body and this works for me. You might have a different experience.

My adrenal glands are also rather weak. Which probably explains why just 5mg prednisolone is so effective at stopping a flare in my case. I believe that my weak adrenal glands are the core of the colitis problem.

Foods that harm the adrenals are listed here:
http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/adrenal-fatigue-diet


I recently quit tea and coffee. I mean totally quit. Not even a single cup for a 'treat' .
This was hard as I love tea. Dairy doesn't bother me so much but I don't eat it in huge quantities.
Also dropped chocolate in any shape or form.

Anyway colitis is in remission now and back pain has greatly diminished. I will stay off tea and coffee forever if necessary.

I suppose the ultimate test would be to go back on tea and coffee and see if colitis flares.
For now I am just enjoying feeling human again.
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