Severe flare. Lots of blood.

I'm new here and was diagnosed with pancolitis 2 years ago in October. It was mild back then and prednisone knocked it all out the first day I took them. I've been going through a flare for about a month now that has progressively gotten worse. Started with stool getting thinner and more loose, abdominal cramping and pain, then last week it turned to having d 5 times a day and now it's to the point that I'm having nothing but blood come out 15 to 20 times in a 24 hour period... i stopped taking my maintenance lialda back in July because I was feeling great (giant mistake) anyways, went and saw my GI 2 days ago and he prescribed 40mg prednisone to taper over a 8 week period. Today will be my third day on prednisone and it seems like it only helps for a couple hours after I take it... I still have the frequency and urgency and it's mainly just bright red blood with very little to no stool. I'm at my wit's end with this piece of crap disease. I know everyone is different with how long it takes the steroids to work, but I'm already discouraged. Got bloods done yesterday and everything looked good according to the hospital. Where do I go from here? Help!

If you are taking your pred all at once you could try splitting the dose to see if that helps. I took it in two dose, when I woke up and the 6-8 hours later. I found that to be the best way to keep even levels in my body and still be able to sleep some. Sorry you are feeling so crummy.

I know it's uncomfortable to eat and it goes right through you, however, your body needs nourishment and nutrients to heal, don't starve yourself. Try some bland soups, broths, things like chicken, potatoes and rice often sit well when we're flaring. Force yourself to eat if necessary.

I'd question/challenge your doctor on the no on lialda, as it could help heal you faster. I'd also question/challenge your doctor on the no stool test bit, as it's standard flare protocol. I'd recommend asking your doctor about a prescription for rowasa mesalamine enema as it'll help heal you faster as well.

Thanks again for the replies. Im going to try to eat as bland as possible from now on until I get this crap (or lack thereof) under control. I was wondering why my GI would say not to take the lialda... It didn't make much sense to me. How would I go about getting rectal meds? Just call his office and ask him to prescribe some or do I need to physically go into his office? That's always a ordeal trying to get in there... I never did much research on uc but you better believe I am now. And is rowasa a preferred rectal med?

with a 4 hour transit time, I would not take Lialda unless it was free. You will end up flushing it.

Ask about something to slow you motility, and them consider an oral mesalamine.

good luck

Well I actually got some much needed sleep last night! Still have tons of pressure/discomfort on my LLQ but I assume that's the inflammation. Only been on the toilet 4 times this morning compared to the 10 yesterday. Waiting on my GI to call me back about the rectal meds. Clearly I need them because the straining is pretty significant. I split my prednisone dose and that seemed to help (unless it's all in my head). And also the lialda doesn't seem to have passed through yet from 4pm eastern time yesterday til present. I've had one hell of a pressure type headache and I was wondering if taking Tylenol is okay to take with everything else?

I am so discouraged with this flare! I slept for 5 hours and woke up having to go to the toilet and it was just a mass amount of blood... Finally got back to sleep and when I woke up, same thing. Alot of blood. I haven't really been eating anything so I assume thats why nothing else would come out but this blood thing is really getting to me. GI never got back to me about rectal meds so I'm stuck over the weekend without anything. I just don't know what to do anymore... I have no energy and even when I do I can't leave the house because the urgency is so bad. It's like the Prednisone isn't working at all. I'm gonna try the scd diet and see how that goes because I don't know what else to do. My anxiety is really messing with me too. Feel like this disease is going to kill me sooner or later and I'm leaning towards sooner. Sorry I just need to rant and any advice would be great. Thanks.

GI called me in a prescription for canasa suppositories and said they should help with the urgency. The blood has dwindled down quite a bit with exception to when I strain and then it's like a episode of Dexter in the toilet... Still have plenty of d which is bothersome. Will the canasa help with cramping? I swear the pain and constant cramping is worse than anything. I've barely eaten in days and have done nothing but lay in bed and go to the toilet. I feel so weak and exhausted.

Thank you. The cramping is so bad it makes me feel sick so I don't want to eat :( I know I need to though. Any advice on the canasa?