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What is this? Diarrhea, awful gas and pain BUT NO BLOOD OR MUCUS

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/26/2013 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
I was in a nice remission for a couple of months following a pred course, but about 10 days ago I developed awful gas (lots and smelly), abdominal pains and diarrhea. I haven't seen a spot of blood or mucus and have never experienced something like this with my UC - I always start with blood... And the abdominal cramping/pain is seriously bad - far worse than anything I've ever experienced.

Does this sound like a UC flare to anyone? Do people get flares without blood and mucus?

I don't think I've had a gastric bug because nobody else in the household has had problems, but I guess I'm more sensitive to these things. I have been taking pregnancy multivitamins with an extra iron tablet because we hope to start trying when I'm well enough (I'm never well enough....). Maybe they have irritated the gut which probably wasn't properly healed from last time round.

Does anyone have any bright ideas about how to fix my gut? What sort of diet might help sort it out since I'm loathed to go to the GI who will only have one response (TAKE MORE DRUGS!).
Posted 5/26/2013 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Iron affects people differently...some get constipated, others get diarrhea, gas, bloating, pain.
You could try a slow release iron that easier on the stomach.
You could also try eliminating lactose and gluten from your diet for a while to see if there is a difference.

I use a slippery elm cocktail to soothe my colon if I eat something that is bothersome.
Hope this is helpful.
Posted 5/26/2013 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, oral iron can be really really hard on the gut. I would discontinue it and see if you have any improvement before jumping to conclusions.
Posted 5/26/2013 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
My guess it is the iron you are taking. I started low dosage 18mg yesterday ...so far so good.
You could try some turmeric and Ginger too.

Look for other changes in diet and timing of your medication

Regards
Posted 5/26/2013 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm still testing..but I think I developed an intolerance to my lialda, yesterday was first day completely off of it & I had a much better day today! I have been how you described for what seems like forever..the Dr. upped my lialda, I got much worse, that's what made me wonder about the lialda possibly causing my problems.
Posted 5/26/2013 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
I'll definitely stop the multivitamin and the ferrous sulphate for a week or so and see what happens. The symptoms did coincide with starting the new pregnancy multivitamin, but not the ferrous sulphate because I'd been taking that for a few months without too much difficulty.
Posted 5/26/2013 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
could be the start of a flare. each flare I've had has started differently- not always having the same symptoms. I guess it keeps things interesting.

I haven't had problems with oral iron so not sure what symptoms they cause.

could also be c diff. my c diff poop smelled insanely bad and I had tons of gas. maybe get a stool test done.
Posted 5/28/2013 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all your responses... I'm still trying to hang onto the idea that I can sort this out without the good old pred.

I've now completed two days without taking any of the pregnancy multivitamin and extra iron. The awful pain has 95% gone, which I'm delighted about. I don't have well-formed stools (they are still soft), but I certainly don't have diarrhea so I'm really hoping it'll improve over the next few days. This morning my poop was bright yellow, which google suggests means it is all moving far too fast through my system.

I've learnt an important lesson - have done fine on iron and all sorts of multivitamins (incl preg ones) in the past, but this time they probably irritated me because my colon wasn't properly healed from the last flare.
Posted 5/28/2013 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Probably the iron. Theres different types too you should give each a go and see what works best.

PS I wish I had your GI ;P
Posted 5/28/2013 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
I remember that during my last pregnancy I took some yucky liquid iron. Is that the kind of thing I'm gonna have to try again now, or are there any pill options?
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