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Stomach bug or UC flare up?

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Posted 9/5/2014 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
I work in an elementary school. I woke up at 5 am Wednesday morning with bad upper abdominal cramps and lots of "D". It hit me out of the blue. I admit I haven't been watching what I eat. I've been eating lots of vegetables and what ever I want. I took Imodium on Wednesday. I haven't had much problem on Thursday. This morning the pain, cramps and "D" were back. At first the cramps were upper abdominal cramps today. How do I know if this is a flare up or not? Is it OK to take my steroid enemas without knowing if this is a stomach bug or flare up? Have a great day!! confused
Posted 9/5/2014 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
It's ok to take the enemas. Even if you aren't flaring, they won't hurt....and if you ARE flaring, hopefully they help. Either way, feel better soon!
Posted 9/5/2014 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, go ahead and take the enemas. I'd also NOT take any immodium, because if it's a stomach bug, it can do more harm than good - the "bad guys" need to get out, so to speak. I'd give it a couple of more days; if it doesn't clear up, then you maybe need to start thinking it's a flare. Sometimes tummy bugs can get better than worse again.

However, you've been on steroid enemas a long time -- that seems a bit odd.
Posted 9/5/2014 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
There's a terrible stomach bug going around the schools in my city (Houston). I hope you feel better soon.
Posted 9/5/2014 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
It may be impossible to tell for a day or two.
Posted 9/5/2014 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
I would assume it's something you've picked up initially...especially if it's something you've not experienced before, giving you extreme cramps, nausea, etc and has come on quickly.

DO NOT TAKE IMODIUM!

Were you completely off the enemas before this?

I'd suggest you take the enemas just because...to keep your butt from overreacting. Maybe every second night for a week.

Take fibre supplements with your meals..but don't take high amounts. Add slowly (you should be taking them anyway).

Get on probiotics if you aren't already...if you are on probiotics..double them.

Keep us posted.

q
Posted 9/5/2014 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Question on Imodium: I know it sounds logical that if you have a stomach bug you want to get the bad guys out but, isn't that what they made Imodium for - stopping diarrhea when sick?
Posted 9/5/2014 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Think about your question...you just answered it.

Sick diarrhea from virus/bacteria, etc...or sick diarrhea from too much fruit, lactose, nerves, IBS (your fave), etc.

What one doesn't want when having a bug is to keep it in there. The body's natural response is to get it out as quickly as possible..hence the diarrhea.


q
Posted 9/5/2014 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
I also had a bacterial infection recently. I took me a couple of weeks to get over it. My doctor also advised against Immodium. He suggested to use Tasectan instead. It helps healing the colon. It helped me.
Posted 9/5/2014 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Never heard of Tasectan...maybe only in UK? comprised of gelatin and tannic acid.

Found this info about how it works.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358810/

q
Posted 9/5/2014 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
I got the Tasectan in Belgium. I seemed like a recent product. It was also available over the counter.
Posted 9/5/2014 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on the steroid enemas on and off. I'm not on them full time. I recently lost 35 pounds during a very emotional divorce. I can't afford to have diarrhea for any length of time. I tried to go to work on Wednesday but I couldn't even get dressed because of frequent trips to the bathroom. So I took the Imodium. I will take the steroid enema tonight. At lunch time my cramps were a little lower in my abdomen. I have read that a stomach bug can make the UC flare up. Thank you all for your advice.
Posted 9/5/2014 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, any infection can make your UC flare. Take good care of yourself, ramp up the meds and wait it out. Hopefully it will recede on its own after the infection has cleared. A stomach bug can also make you temporarily lactose intolerant if you weren't before.
Posted 9/5/2014 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I asked my GI "how do I know if it's my UC flaring up or if it's just a bug or something" he told me max four days...if it's ever longer than that hit it with all I've got UC med wise.
Posted 9/5/2014 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Just fyi,....my son had a tummy bug this past week. Had bad D and than was better the next day and than the following day had D and threw up. It was a nasty virus... so it appears there are things going around by me anyway (NJ). Hopefully it will pass quickly but if it is a flare or not, can't hurt to up probiotics and do some enemas. Being sick can get things stirred up in there. Good luck and let us know how it turns out for you.
B
Posted 9/8/2014 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on the steroid enemas for 3 days now. I still have a little bit of pain but not much. I'm eating only "white" foods, such as crackers, toast, mashed potatoes and tortillas, plain. I can't take fiber, that is why I have to stay away from fruits and vegetables. I love them but they don't digest. Thank you all for your advice and concern.
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