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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/23/2014 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone
I have some questions that have been on my mind for a few days now, and despite all my internet searching I haven't really found the answers I'm looking for. I have left sided UC which is all symptoms with more constipation vs. diarrhea. If you could please help me out and answer what you can I'd be extremely grateful. The questions are in no particular order and have mainly surfaced because of my recent flare and I'm seeing my GI doc tomorrow.
Thank you in advance, FR. :-)

1/ I quit smoking almost three years ago, and I have noticed that my flaring is more frequent and general symptoms never really go away anymore. Is it true when you quit smoking the UC gets worse? Does anyone know about nicotine treatments besides restarting smoking?

2/ Is it possible to have IBS and IBD together? I have been reading about Splenic Flexure Syndrome (a type of IBS) and it appears I may have this also given the symptoms.

3/Based on question#2, I have been having pre-syncope before having a BM. It is not my heart I have had that checked twice. The BM used to make it go away instantly. Now it lingers after the BM for about 20-30 min. In Splenic Flexure Syndrome supposedly you can have distention to the point of stimulating the Vagal nerve which is in the area. Has anyone heard about this? Has anyone had issue of wanting to faint before having a BM? And what did you do about it?

4/ How do you know when you have advanced to Pancolitis? Other things I have been experiencing that I haven't before are frequent night sweats (3-4x/week, drenched to the point of changing clothes, sheets, and sleeping on towel, happens also with naps during the day), chills, ++fatigue, pain extends beyond the original areas I started with, and everything I eat cause pain and/or cramps including liquids (even water at one point).
Posted 4/23/2014 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
I can answer #1.
Getting UC is associated with quitting smoking.
Will quitting make UC worse, perhaps.
Nicotine patches work in some people.
But that is only part of the story,there are like 4000 other chemicals in smoke that might
modulate the disease.
Carbon Monoxide in the smoke will also down regulate the immune system.
Old Mike
Posted 4/23/2014 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
at age 42 the night sweats might be perimenopause, it's hard to say. And yes, many of us have "irritable bowels" in addition to the diagnosed IBD. I haven't heard of splenic flexure syndrome before, but I did have an annoying bout of benign early beats a couple of years ago, which my DRs finally dismissed as random and of no concern. Thankfully, they have not returned.

Sorry your are struggling so. Have you had your vitamin D levels checked?
Posted 4/23/2014 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Old Mike. I've been trying to get that point across to friends and family as I have no desire to start smoking again or use patches, e-cigs etc. I already have the possibility of getting cancer so I don't want to rush it.
Kazbern, I have mentioned to my MD re: early menopause but when we tested for the marker it was normal. Not that that is definitive or anything. He did say that if it was I'd just have to live with it. Just want to make sure I have no hidden infection going on. I haven't had Vit D levels checked but I do take a supplement with Calcium, Vit D, Zinc, and Magnesium 3x/day. Sorry not in my signature...no room :)
Posted 4/23/2014 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Night sweats can be the prednisone too. I got terrible "hot flashes" while on pred. Hate it so much.
Posted 4/24/2014 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Ahhh...makes sense Sherbear. I was having them before but not like this. I've been on Pred now for 2 and a 1/2 wks. And the last week has been crazy with the night sweats. Sometimes I have to get up twice to change sheets, clothes, etc.
Posted 4/24/2014 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
get your vitamin D levels checked, foxy.
Posted 4/24/2014 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
I sometimes experience night sweats, and can often wake up completely soaked, its not pleasant, but luckily it doesn't happen enough to worry me too much...the smoking thing is a dilemma for many, and some people have had good results from starting up again, but I think people that go down that route feel like they are at the end of the road...so usually its a last resort, nicotine patches are maybe worth trying, but from what I have read, aren't as effective on ex smokers as opposed to non smokers.
Posted 4/24/2014 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Foxy, quitting smoking really has an effect on flares. My flares are sure worse then when I smoked. I could get out of a flare within 2 weeks, now I've been having this flare since November.
Posted 4/24/2014 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Pred gave me awful night sweats, too. Don't be surprised if they get worse as you taper. Mine did, but they got better once I was down to about 5 mg Pred per day.

Sounds like you're educating yourself about UC really well. You'll find a lot of great info on this site.
Posted 4/24/2014 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone else out there that can help with some insight to my questions? Thanks in advance :)
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