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Mild flare or not a flare?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/21/2016 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hey guys!

It's been a whilst since I last posted on here regarding my bowel motions. But I've gone from 2 bowel motions a day to 3/4bowel motions. Formed stool. No dripping blood or bright blood. But I get streaks of blood in my stool (mixed inside). Tissue paper has no blood - but sometimes mucus comes out pinkish. Not sure where the inflammation is - I feel like its higher up otherwise blood would be brighter???

Currently takes psyllium (metamucil) capsules 2 twice/day. Azathioprine 125mg OD, Balsalazide 1.5g twice/day. VSL sachets 2x/day.
Posted 7/21/2016 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
if it was me, i'd say it was a slight uptick in symptoms, but far from a flare - but my flares tend to get pretty nasty - so it's hard to say what you're experiencing - let's just say it's a sign, not to be ignored -

anything change recently, life, diet, vitamins/supplements ?
Posted 7/21/2016 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
To be honest diet wise I have deviated a bit from the normal... had a few weddings to attend, and dinner gatherings, so naturally diet has been more free.
Posted 7/21/2016 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hello -

It has been a very long time since I have posted on this forum but I decided a few months ago I should see if there is anyone I can help. This group helped me tremendously several years ago! I was diagnosed in 2006 although I am certain I had active UC off and on for several years prior to that.

I am sorry you are dealing with this PharmacistWithUC. Based on my personal experience during the last 10 years - when I start to see streaks of blood and have increased BM's it most likely the beginning of a flare.

Many times I ignored it and thought it was just something I ate or stress...maybe it was denial on my part but what I have learned is that if I let my doctor know ASAP I am more likely to get it under control and avoid a huge flare. I see you are already on Azathioprine 125mg so it might help to go up to 150mg for a while or to add some rectal meds for a while - so I would encourage you to at least call your doctor and see what you can do to stop this before it really starts. Again, this is based on my experience, everyone can be different but it never hurts to at least consult your doctor.
Posted 7/21/2016 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
I agree- usually for me, streaks of blood is a sign of things to come. Give your doc a call and see what s/he says
Posted 7/22/2016 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
You are flaring with friable lining creating the bleeding. Because you have formed stool, it's limited in the rectum i would think.. Less bms allows the blood to pool a bit, formed stool along the rectum creates the bleeding.

Rectal meds....cannot stress enough to deal with that area directly. Mesalamine enemas or steroid enemas and possibly in conjunction with suppositories.

Feel better soon.
q
Posted 7/22/2016 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
Started hydrocortisone enemas... back to 1 or 2 bowel motions per day... with little or no sign of blood. Gonna do it for at least 2 weeks ...although I am going on holiday to miami so will take extras just in case.
Posted 7/23/2016 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a good plan. Let us know how things are when you get back.
q
Posted 7/23/2016 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
A flare is a persistent worsening of symptoms that doesn't go away on it's own. You can have a little flare, medium flare, or a flare from hell. You likely have a little flare with mild inflammation at least in the rectum and possibly further. If you can catch and treat this flare early then you are quite lucky and fortunate.

Had you considered adding a prescription rectal-route mesalamine (a canasa/mesalamine suppository or rowasa/pentasa/salofalk enema)? They'd be perfect for rectal inflammation of a mild grade.

Hopefully you can control the flare before your vacation, if not then take hydrocortisone enemas along.
Posted 7/23/2016 11:25 AM (GMT 0)
I'm also using asacol suppositories twice daily. I'm going in hard with the treatment to make sure it has very little impact as possible. Thanks for all the comments guys. Very supportive.
Posted 7/23/2016 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
I would change from cod liver oul as well....thats a personal thing with me. Have you tried other fish oil omegas?

q
Posted 7/24/2016 8:38 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't actually...what in particular is bad with cod?
Posted 7/24/2016 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi... not that it's bad... it's one thing you are taking consistently. I'm suggesting you try other ones, but to go off it for maybe a week and see if your symptoms change. Some of us don't agree with all fish oils. I experimented and find low dosage is best for me.
It is a good source for vitamin d and a, however.

please let us know how you do on holiday.....
q
Posted 7/24/2016 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
ya, I agree with Q - ditch the oil for a bit - many folks find it to be a bit of a problem -
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