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4 weeks od pain on right side.. driving me crazy

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/8/2016 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
New here - 35 year old female

Diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis in December 2009 when I was 34 weeks pregnant. Had a flare-up then that lasted 3 months. Flared again in Sep 2011 and was put on prednisone (3 months)
Managed to get into remission. Been in remission ever since.
However, 4 weeks ago started getting pain in lower right abdomen that radiated few inches from my belly button down my lower abdomen and groin toward my right leg, and also my lower back.
Went to emergency and they ruled out appendicitis (blood work, urine and ultrasound all came back fine). Went to see my GI specials and she said she doesn’t think its Colitis related as I had no urgency, blood or mucus. Sent me for a CT scan to check for kidney stones. Results came back , no stones, ovaries and uterus look normal, no masses or tumors, no hernia.
I have a colonoscopy scheduled for June 13. Pain is still there, dull and sometimes sharp. It comes and goes. I have a harder time (than usual) passing gas, been burping a lot, my right abdomen seems a bit swollen ( to me at least, maybe I’m just seeing things now) and it is causing discomfort with my c section scar. Pain comes on more when I’m sitting or bending over.
Sorry.. needed to vent. In a bit of a panic mode as I need to know what is causing this .. Any thoughts ?
Thanks guys

Meds
Mezavant 1,2g x 4 pills daily, VSL #3
Posted 6/8/2016 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Well...it could be the early symptoms of very mild rectal inflammation . It could be gas, it could be that you have mild inflammation in that area, it could be you've got a gastro bug, ....etc.

It's great you had many tests already...hopefully, the c-csope will put some insight as to a culprit.

Have you changed anything in diet or supplements?

q
Posted 6/8/2016 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Ask your GI to check your liver and gall bladder. If none of the things they've checked...may just be scar tissue causing pain. Good luck.
Posted 6/8/2016 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your responses. I haven't changed anything in my diet recently. I eat very healthy and stay away from the foods that upset my stomach. I guess the hardest thing is not knowing what is wrong. It is affecting me both physically and emotionally. Anyway, I will ask my GI on Monday to check my liver and gall bladder. My GP suggested that it might be endometriosis.

**35 year old female**
Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis - Dec 2009
Meds
Mezavant 1,2g x 4 pills daily, VSL #3
Posted 6/8/2016 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
It could be endo, the scar tissue from c-sections can increase risk of developing it. If it makes you feel any better, I have had a "swollen" area right above the right hand side of my c-section scar since my second section. I have had many tests to see what is causing it and it is scar tissue. There was concern that the scar tissue was adhering to my colon for a while, but they haven't been able to see anything other than ovarian cysts on ultrasound. They hurt like crazy and always make my UC cranky for a few days.
Posted 6/15/2016 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
***UPDATE***
Thank you for all your messages.
So here is my update.
I had my colonoscopy on June 13 and the results are great. No active colitis. yay
However, my pain is still there. I ended up repeating blood and urine tests. My blood work came back all good, but urine test came back with traces of blood in it but no infection.
My symptoms are mimicking bladder infection (even thought I have no infection). So my doctor is sending me to see a Urologist to investigate this further.
I guess he will be doing cystoscopy using local anesthesia. yikes Not looking forward to it at all
I had blood in urine back in 2015 but my doctor didn’t think it needed further investigation. Not sure what to think of this .



Meds
Mezavant 1,2g x 4 pills daily, VSL #3
Posted 6/23/2016 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
***BACK AGAIN***
Just came back from my GI. She thinks gallbladder/liver are causing all the symptoms.
So I had blood test done to check CBC-D, alk phos, bili, ALT, AST, lipase, c-reactive protein. Also, having an ultrasounds tomorrow morning. If it turns out to be this I might have to stop Mezavant, as that could be the reason why I'm having all these issues.
Have any of you had problems with liver enzymes and Mezavant? What replacement drug is available there?
Thanks a bunch

Meds
Mezavant 1,2g x 4 pills daily, VSL #3
Posted 6/23/2016 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
The mesalamine in your mezavant is indeed the cause then that class of medications might be skipped entirely. Next would be immunomodulators (Imuran, 6mp, or azathioprine) or biologics (remicade, humira, entyvio, or simponi).

Mesalamine does rarely cause bloodwork abnormalities which can include liver enzymes spiking, or wbc/rbc tanking. Spiking liver enzymes is cause to discontinue mezavant before permanent liver damage occurs. Spiking enzymes is a precursor/warning sign and gives ample time to respond.

First things first, confirm it with appropriate tests
Posted 6/23/2016 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi iPoop
Thank you for your message.
How do immunomodulators work? I'm not too familiar with them.
Originally I was on Salofalk, but few years later my doctor switched it to Mezavant.

**35 year old female**
Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis - Dec 2009
Meds
Mezavant 1,2g x 4 pills daily, VSL #3
Posted 6/23/2016 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Immunomodulators intentionally lower your body's white blood cell count. WBC are your immune system's attack dog directly causing inflammation. The less WBC you have the less inflammation your body can cause. Your WBC can't get too low though, so regular blood testing is required, initially weekly, then biweekly, then monthly, and finally trimonthly for the duration that you're on that medication. Immunomodulators slightly weaken your immune system so you're more prone to infections (UTI, sinus, bronchitis) and colds/flus.

I was on 6mp for around two years and I didn't experience any serious adverse side effects. I sunburned easier, that's really it.
Posted 6/23/2016 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I just have to wait for the results of my blood test. If it is Mezavant, I will have to switch to Immunomodulators. My doctor mentioned it awhile ago, that my next step would be Imuran.

**35 year old female**
Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis - Dec 2009
Meds
Mezavant 1,2g x 4 pills daily, VSL #3
Posted 6/23/2016 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
It can be colon spasm. As the colon spasms, it pulls on the mesenteric attachments causing pain in the Right Upper Quadrant ('gallbladder') or Right Lower Quadarant ('appendix' or 'ovary') areas.

Do a test with an Rx of Bentylol and see if the pain goes away.
Posted 6/23/2016 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
emalouwho

Do you need a prescription for Bentylol?

**35 year old female**
Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis - Dec 2009
Meds
Mezavant 1,2g x 4 pills daily, VSL #3
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