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Am I flaring?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/20/2014 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Diagnosed with UC last September, since then my symptoms have been mostly controlled. I rarely ever got/get constipated and my main symptoms were loose stools, urgency and blood and mucus. I have had NO blood or mucus since I was diagnosed, until now.

My bowels have been a bit 'off' for the past couple of weeks (something just hasn't felt right), and the past few days I have been suffering from a lot of constipation. I usually have my 'main' BM in the morning a few hours after waking; yesterday I didn't go until 1pm and today I haven't been at all (it is now 3.30pm, this is extremely rare for me) apart from feeling the need to go and passing some mucus with a small bit of blood. A few days ago I had a BM and there was quite a bit of blood on the tissue.

Stupid question but am I flaring? I don't believe I have ever had a 'real' flare before so I'm unsure whether this IS a flare or something to be more worried about?

Thanks.
Posted 6/20/2014 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going to say yes it sounds like the start of a flare. I have never had any constipation issues with UC, I struggle with the opposite with urgency and frequency, but many sufferers do experience constipation. The uneasy feeling in your gut is usually the first sign of inflamation which is backed up with signs of mucus and blood. Those are your biggest signs that things are turning around on you.
Posted 6/20/2014 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like it, yes. What meds are you currently using?
Posted 6/20/2014 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm currently taking mesalazine orally and alternating between suppositories and enemas, mostly suppositories though. I do need to up my enemas.
Posted 6/20/2014 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
I've just thought as well, for the past week or so I have been getting quite bad pain in my lower back on the right side.. I've never had anything like this before, it comes and goes throughout the day but can get to be quite painful.

Could this be related? I went to see my GP who asked if I have had any urine issues, which I haven't, but she didn't mention my UC.
Posted 6/20/2014 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Were your symptoms similar before you started taking UC meds? If so, I would say you are flaring. If not, I'm not sure what your odds would be. Could you have a hemmie?
Posted 6/20/2014 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
@polkadotdress - I'm going through something similar right now.

My previous flares have started with mucous, and then within a couple of days, lots of D and blood etc. However this time, no D at all! Just a feeling of needing to go but nothing happens, often only a little mucous and very little blood. My flare might be different this time because I'm on aza, unlike when I've previously flared. I've been like this for a few weeks now and can't seem to completely get rid of the mucous. Urgency has now become a bit of an issue this week.

I went straight to a low residue diet and nightly salofalk enemas (even splitting the dose if I'm at home in the mornings) and I definitely think the foam enemas are keeping everything in check for now. However I have a GI appt next week and they're booking me in for a flex sig to have a look. I'm getting frustrated with this current flare as every day my symptoms vary with regards to pain, urgency, constipation and joint pain.

So long story short, yes it does seem like you have a flare starting up.
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