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5 weeks into 6 MP and a bad cold

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/7/2016 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All.
My journey into 6 MP has been pretty uneventful: I was a little extra tired for the few weeks, and I have been losing a little more hair than usual (sort of the amount I lose when I am flaring... so maybe inflammation is the cause, not the 6 MP.)

But I have caught a hum-dinger of a cold! I even had a bit of a fever the last two days. I know there is a bad one going around; we went to a picnic at a relative's house a week ago and he was "getting over" a cold that had "kicked his butt." So... my fault for attending that event.

Any advice about what OTC cold remedies are better or worse to take, given the 6 MP? I have been going easy on the acetaminophen, taking a minimal dose to stay somewhat comfortable. And I have been drinking LOTS of water.

Any other tips? Do I need to call the doctor?
Posted 6/7/2016 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Just don't let that cold get out of control. Pneumonia or other upper respiratory stuff is hard to get rid of when your immune system is compromised. Good to go easy on the acetaminophen, but I know of no interactions with the other OTC meds. Maybe the doc can give you a good nasal decongestant and rx cough syrup to help minimize symptoms and keep your lungs clear.
Posted 6/7/2016 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
getting vaccinated for pneumonia and flu would be a good idea too.
Posted 6/8/2016 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Can you breathe through nose at night? Getting adequate sleep is crucial so I use regular Afrin 12-hr nasal spray if congested there. Also salt water gargle for irritated throat, coughing. You can probably treat this yourself unless you experience fever over 100o, earache, or chest discomfort. Definitely keep well-hydrated. / Old Hat (35 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/10/2016 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Well, what was a really severe cold has gone through its stages quickly and now I only have a bit of congestion. So maybe it was something other than a cold; I had a slight fever for 3 days, and it has cleared up so quickly!

But now what was a slight back ache, on the lower right side, has been getting worse and worse. Yesterday I was thinking that I was simply spending too many hours in my non-supportive desk chair. But today.... I can't tell if it's a muscle spasm or... kidney area? (I think the kidney would be located higher than this pain.) This spot had hurt a little, earlier in the week, so I am pretty sure I didn't cause a muscle spasm from coughing.

I tried an icy-heat patch thingy earlier (menthol saturated) and it helped a bit for a while. Sigh. I am having entirely too much fun these days.

Thanks for the suggestions above! I appreciate the support.
Posted 6/10/2016 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you're doing better overall. How are you feeling so far as GI symptoms? Are you 100%? Hopefully you just pulled something and you feel better quickly. If it continues, you should go to the doctor and make sure it's not an issue with your pancreas. I know 6mp can cause pancreatitis.
Posted 6/10/2016 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
So I called my GI... his nurse (the new one) said the pain "would not be related to the 6 MP; any reactions like would have started earlier on" in my taking of the med. (I don't think she is right.)

But she suggested I call my primary, so I will.

NSSG, GI symptoms have been a little "off," but that happens when I get a cold, so I haven't thought anything of it. I've been going maybe 4 times a day instead of 2-3. Consistency has been a little soft, but formed for the most part.

The pain subsides when I stand or lie down. Does this ring a bell with anyone?
Posted 6/10/2016 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Abdominal pains are tough to pin down. If you have concerns perhaps you should see if your primary care doctor or nurse can take a look at it? Uc can cause pains, as can trapped gas, as can more serious things like kidney stones, gallstones, pancreatitis, as well as uteris cysts, and so forth. It's all a matter of how much pain, how often, and that's often hard to ascertain from a post.

Is it a point-pain or radiatating? On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the worst), how bad is it?
Posted 6/10/2016 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Just called my primary care doc; he is leaving early today (weekend.) They offered to make an appointment for Monday, but I plan to be on a 2 day mini vacation at that point. (We'll see.)

The pain is ongoing, except when I get up and walk around; although if I stand awhile it will come back.
I "think" it's a point pain and not radiating.

I guess I go to the walk-in. I am supposed to leave in an hour to go to a conference at which I am one in a group of honorees. I have been on the fence about whether to go despite this issue, or deal. And then I have big events Sunday, before the 2 day mini trip.

Decisions, decisions!
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