Remission for 4 years- now flaring.

Hello all. I have not posted for sometime as I was in remission for 4 years with no meds, I cut out most dairy. I also teach mindfulness and use it daily. My dad just recently (Oct 4) just dies of pancreatic cancer. Along with that stress I had been struggling with neck pain and developing migraines due to a cervical fusion in my neck. I did not want to always use Vicadin so my dr. thought maybe I could use naparsin with eating. UGH. the dang UC is back. I am working on not beating myself up about it. I actually thought I was cured of it.

Now symptoms are blood and mucous that are keeping me up at night and not able to go bm if I don't totally load up on laxatives. When stool does come out it is very narrow- like a rippon or very small. I have an appointment with a new Dr. 12/2. My Dr. from 4 years ago is no longer there.

Why do you think it is back? Could it be just the naprosin or the stress? The farthest up it was in the past is 20 cm I believe with one occasion it being by the small intestine. I am a bit bummed but know I have survived this before although not a fun ride.

I appreciate any guidance.

Uc has periods of remission and periods of flareups. Nobody knows what causes flare ups. Most certainly get on some uc medications and see a gastroenterologist.

I was diagnosed about 23 years ago. I started on Sulfasalzine, did azacol, entocort, imuron and a few more. Also rowasa had been a one a took often. I hate that one though although it works. I hate the intense cramping. I think I can get the PA to get me a script for rowasa.The suppositories never worked. Should I do anything about my diet or is it really not about diet.

Miralax helps me when I'm swollen and inflamed. I get the thin stools, too. Hopefully you can get on something that starts chipping away at the inflammation soon. I'm sorry your remission has ended. Sounds like you had several contributing factors. I'm also deeply sorry for the loss of your dad. I lost my stepfather to pancreatic cancer so I can imagine what you've been through. That kind of stress gives my UC the green light.

Eat less fiber. Even though docs say fiber helps regularity the fact is that an inflamed gut has problems moving that fiber along. Take a fiber pill (I take unflavored Citrucell generic and others like Metamucil) or several daily.

Drink green juices to help heal and yes definitely start using the mesalamine enemas, You might be able to pull out of your flare by hitting it hard now. Also good daily are chicken broth and well cooked low fiber veggies like spinach, summer squash and baby carrots. My gut likes meat because easily digestible but others don't, YMMV.

So sorry to hear about your loss.

I definitely think that stress has a role to play in this disease, maybe not for others, but for sure for me, first time symptoms ever showed up with me right before diagnosis I was extremely stressed, right before my second flare a year later went thru another very stressful situation.

I also eat very healthy and no drugs/harmful things to the body so I am convinced for myself that this is a huge part with my UC. I started doing stress relief techniques and started controlling breathing when things are getting tough and have good results from it!

Best of luck you will get this back under control!!

I have had this monster inside me for 34 years now. Continually learning to manage and what to avoid eating. Here is my list, if I stay off these things I stay in remission , trick is Food industry changes fast. Carrageenan is the worst the Soy Lecithin and the Soy. All replace Gellitan as an emulsifier for food. Read up on these, you will never eat again.

Humeria needle once every seven days, I weigh 235. When I feel good I move all day long, and burn a lot of energy. I can feel the need for another shot always on or shortly after day seven .

Going with no meds often feels like the right decision at the time but in the long run it is a very bad decision because you usually wind up having a choice of being on "safe" meds forever or going med free and then having to go up the med ladder to more dangerous drugs later on. Hindsight is 20/20 but most would have rather taken the safe meds forever rather than taking more dangerous drugs later on after remission is lost. You should take probiotics every day.

All things I've read and heard say go on low-fiber, low-residue diet at first.
- Cut refined Carbs
- Avoid possible allergens (Corn, wheat, and milk products at first)
- Load up on fiber gradually (as things get better)
- high dosage multi-mineral/vitamin + Vit C
- omega-3 oils
- Consider Protein powder (predigested protein)
- Consider Manuka honey

Concerns on the timing: Is it me or GI's are always super busy at this time of the year?
My first UC flair was at exact time last year.
Exact time this year I'm getting a major one again.

Ah- Yes- the stress of this season amongst other things.

It has been calmed down some the last tow days but I still have pain on my left side. Can you still be in a flare and not have blood and mucous?

In my opinion - stay on Meds till symptom free. And do stay on maintenance drugs.
It will take weeks for the inflammation to go away, even though u don't see symptoms.
I like chamomile - it helps.
Btw - just came back from my GI - I'm back on Apriso and in 3 days may start Uceris (if needed).