Really suffering

Hi everyone. I haven't posted in a while, hope you guys are doing well. I have a question. I am unsure what's going on and would love your advise. When I was in highschool in my senior year, almost every Saturday morning without fail id be in the bathroom doubled over in pain and feeling the need to go to the bathroom all day. They had no idea what it was because it was only once a week and they gave me lactaid pills which helped back then and we moved on. Three years later I was diagnosed with UC. I've had a very long year with trying to get this disease into remission and about 3months ago we were 99%there. It was a great feeling. The only thing I suffered from was slight feeling of always needing the bathroom but I've gotten used to it. Anyway, this past Saturday that crazy doubled over in the bathroom that I had in highschool came back. I was shocked but I knew it's only a one day thing from past experience but this time it wasn't. Today, three days later I still have very strong stomach pains and excessive urgency to use the bathroom every minute. My stool was formed now it's a bit less in addition to some mucus. What do I do? I'm really suffering and can't get out of the house. The urgency is so strong it doesn't go away. The only helpful thing is to sit in a bath all day and I don't have time for that. I'm currently taking 50mg of 6mp and 4tabs of Lialda daily. Canasa doesn't do a thing for me. Do you think it's time to up the 6mp? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much.

Have you called your doctor? You need to get to your GI dr. Right away because it's obvious you're flaring and need to reevaluate your meds before it gets worse. Hope you feel better soon.

I agree with pb4 on trying different rectals. A steroid rectal may get things headed in the right direction. Upping 6mp is really based on test results, it's not something you just try and see with. If you're therapeutic, there is not much reason to increase the dose. You definitely need to get in to see your GI to discuss options.

My GI is very into seeing inflammation before prescribing medication. That would mean I would need a sigmoidoscopy before we do anything. Does anyone else's GI do this as well?

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that you've tried them all, I can relate to your frustrations....I know with me I once let proctitis go too long before dealing with it so it took me over a year (including tapering off) of cortifoam before it kicked in, but honestly I know there's no guarantees with any of the meds and that just adds to the IBD frustrations.

I hope that your GI can help you get back on track sooner than later, and I think his approach sounds reasonable, IMO, lazy GI's are the ones that just throw meds at their patients (regardless how well or not they've been doing) without properly investigating so he sounds like a keeper to me at least.

Definitely update after you see him, I'm curious about what his findings and resolution ideas will be.

Possibly if it was contaminated and you got food poisoning that caused a flare
But I don't think so
For now avoid roughage and residue like nuts and seeds and corn
C diff is definitely a possibility
Hope you can get this figured out ASAP

I like that he's very thorough. But right now i would love relief. I'm going to lay low with food and eat very basics and some chicken soup.

No I don't drink ever

Thanks. My doctor is really someone who goes above and beyond. I'll give it one more day. Just so funny it went crazy out of no where id like to think it may be all the garbage I've eaten I never believed diet plays a roll. But now I'm starting too.

You said- In HS every Saturday you felt the pain- could that be because of food you had every Friday from school cafeteria? I am guessing you might have consumed something that irritates your remission. Hope you feels better quick..

Thank you everyone for your kind responses and great advise. I actually found a box of unused hydrocortisone suppositories and took one a few hours ago feel like a differnt person. So that's proof that this is a flare not a virus (I knew it was a flare but didn't want to contradict my doctor). Anyway, I'm still thinking though that something I eat is triggering it. I plan to stick to a strict diet for a while and see how that goes. But I am willing to increase 6mp. I have been in this never ending flare for exactly a year. So I'm willing to do anything to end this. I'm 21 and want to try to do whatever I can to get my life back. I'm not willing to let this disease control me.

Good for you. I'm glad they're helping. Be sure to keep extras around.

You mentioned not wanting to contradict your doctor. Please don't hesitate to challenge any doctor (politely, of course). You know your body best and you are well-educated about UC. There's no reason you can't negotiate a solution that works for both of you. for example, I wouldn't expect your doctor to agree to increase the 6 MP before an office visit and labs but a topical steroid you've taken before is a minor intervention that I think any doctor should offer as a short-term treatment.

I didn't realize how important it was for me and my GI to have similar philosophies on patient empowerment until I found one that did. Your doctor would be too controlling for me -but just right for others.

Something for you to consider as you continue life with UC. Finding the right GI can make living with this disease a lot easier. This isn't always the most recommended or well-known GI in town, or the one with a prominent position in a teaching hospital. I found my current GI through my mortgage broker who mentioned that his brother had UC and had a good doctor.

Seeing my GI tomorrow!! Looking forward to solving this issue. Will keep you all posted.