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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/22/2015 9:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hello,

First post so please be gentle.

I've had a flare up after 10 years.

I've got two issues -

1. Inflammation feels near the end of the rectum where it bends to the sigmiod. I get wind before my first BM, and then it comes through fine. Second and Third BM's are okay with blood on tissue. (I have 3 BM's each day in morning). I'm on Colifoam and 15mg of Pred, asked for these myself from GP as still waiting for appointment from Gastro.
Not having much joy with these, and wanted to ask what else is available?
I've heard of salofalk/Asacol foam are they any good?, will they go up a little further as I feel the Colifoam doesn't go very far. What abput Predifoam?

2. My Ascending colon, inline with belly button feels weak and slightly cramped. I can sometimes here it gurgle. Has improved as I believe it was infected, so GP gave me antibiotics which reduced cramping. What could it be?

Lost over 2stone in 2 months.

Please help, as this is having an affect on my mental health.

Thanks

Sam
Posted 12/22/2015 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Sam. Have you officially been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis or are you still waiting for a diagnosis? Corticosteroids, like Colifoam and prednisone, are great temporary rescue medications. However, if you have a chronic health condition like uc, then you'd need a maintenance medication like salofalk/asacol, which are prescription anti-inflammatory medications.
Posted 12/22/2015 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Was diagnosed 10yrs back and got into remission, it has flared again :-(
Recent stool sample showed 450 calprotectin, is that high?

Post Edited (SamHD) : 12/22/2015 8:29:37 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/23/2015 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there, in answer to your questions, the first thing I noticed is that 15mg of Prednisolone is a very low dose. I don't think that is a high enough dose to work. Usually when flaring I would start on 40mg. The GP should be able to prescribe this, seeing as you have been diagnosed for years. If this doesn't work then you may need to go into hospital and have IV steroids instead.

Which maintenance medication are you on and what dose? If you are on the standard dose of Asacol, for example, this can also be increased to a higher dose.

I've not noticed enemas as being very effective during a flare, but I know some people swear by them. As far as I know the mesalasine enemas do go further than the steroid ones.

As for gurgling I've never had a straightforward answer from my doctors/nurse, but last time I was ill I had a partial blockage, and my GP told me that the gurgling was stuff trying to get through.

I have no idea about your stool sample, sorry.

Have you rung the hospital and told them you are flaring? They should be able to bring your appointment forward. It might be worth trying to contact your specialist nurse rather than the gastro doctors. It is better to work out treatment options with the hospital doctors/nurse rather than on your own or with a GP, GP's do not have the specialised knowledge that the gastro team at the hospital do, and can make mistakes.

Some things you can do to help yourself are to get lots of sleep, as much as you can. I normally stop eating, and drink Complan instead for a while, to give the colon a rest.

The GP should be able to arrange some counselling for you, maybe when you are feeling better if you are not up to it now. Pets can also be helpful with mental health, because animals love you no matter what. If you don't have your own animals at home, then maybe you could ask a friend to bring a dog/cat to your house so that you can have a cuddle?
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