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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/27/2017 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
After a nice 6 month remission my disease is flaring again. This time the main symptom is excruciating pain. I have no blood or diarrhea but I am bed-bound all day, moaning in pain. It is awful. I had a CT scan 3 weeks ago and it showed inflammation in the rectum. Ive been on steroid enemas and mesalamine since then but the pain keeps getting worse. My bowl movements are some-what normal. No diarrhea. Has anyone else experienced a flare up with pain as the only symptom? I'm not sure if I should go to the ER again. redface
Posted 2/27/2017 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Where is the pain? In the rectum or elsewhere? Being bed-bound and moaning with pain deffo doesn't sound right.
Posted 2/27/2017 2:10 AM (GMT 0)

Santa Cruz chick said...
After a nice 6 month remission my disease is flaring again. This time the main symptom is excruciating pain. I have no blood or diarrhea but I am bed-bound all day, moaning in pain. It is awful. I had a CT scan 3 weeks ago and it showed inflammation in the rectum. Ive been on steroid enemas and mesalamine since then but the pain keeps getting worse. My bowl movements are some-what normal. No diarrhea. Has anyone else experienced a flare up with pain as the only symptom? I'm not sure if I should go to the ER again. redface

First of all, I thought regular CT scans don't detect inflammation in the colon/rectum? Where is the pain located? I would think it's not UC-related if the only symptom is truly pain. Are you really having no other symptoms of UC-- as in no mucous/pus, blood, gas, no urgency or tenesmus or pain when going to the bathroom etc? D is only one symptom of UC and it may present as constipation for some.

I think you need more follow up tests. What did your blood work and/or stool tests show?

Obviously, go to the ER if pain is really intense and do a lot of follow up tests since you had severe UC at diagnosis, and it's risky to have severe inflammation. I see that you have the CBD oil. That should be somewhat effective for pain but you can ask for something strong as needed.
Posted 2/27/2017 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for responding Jane. I am pretty new to this nasty disease. My other symptoms include fatigue. Some days I will go to the bathroom often 7+ time but no diarrhea or urgency or blood. When I was diagnosed last year I had all those symptoms. The pain is unbearable. I just took a dilaudid and it seemed to help a bit. I should probably do another colonoscopy. The pain seems to be getting worse, not better. This morning I had fully formed bowel movement and felt great. 2 hours later I was on the floor in tears and I've been there all day. I feel hopeless
Posted 2/27/2017 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
@nicecupoftea pain is mostly in rectum and left side.
Posted 2/27/2017 3:10 AM (GMT 0)

Santa Cruz chick said...
Thank you for responding Jane. I am pretty new to this nasty disease. My other symptoms include fatigue. Some days I will go to the bathroom often 7+ time but no diarrhea or urgency or blood. When I was diagnosed last year I had all those symptoms. The pain is unbearable. I just took a dilaudid and it seemed to help a bit. I should probably do another colonoscopy. The pain seems to be getting worse, not better. This morning I had fully formed bowel movement and felt great. 2 hours later I was on the floor in tears and I've been there all day. I feel hopeless

Fatigue and increased frequency of BM's can definitely be signs of UC even without the D or urgency. 7+ times per day is a lot and can be a sign of severe inflammation. You should also rule out infections/bacteria, including C diff.

Don't hesitate to go to the ER or call your GI to see if you can get a same day urgent appointment, if the pain is getting worse. They should be able to run some more tests on you there. You may need stronger meds or go on higher doses if inflammation is high.
Posted 2/27/2017 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
I'd see your gasteroenterologist asap. It's possible you might have an anal fissure or stricture if there's a lot of pain. A perforation of toxic mega colon is also possible (especially if there's a fever).
Posted 2/27/2017 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
If you were having diarrhoea, severe constipation could be another possible explanation for your excruciating pain (the diarrhoea in that case would be what's known as 'overflow' diarrhoea, which is forcing its way pass impacted stool in the colon/rectum). But as your BMs are solid, I doubt it's constipation.

Try to see your GI ASAP. Failing that, I would go to ER. Such severe pain needs investigating.
Posted 2/27/2017 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
My only experience with what you are dealing with turned out to be a perianal abscess. The pain slowly increased over the course of 4-5 days until I was able to feel a smallish lump that was ultra sensitive to the touch. The pain slowly grew until it brought tears to this grown man's eyes, I was scared to death. I couldn't sleep for days and could barely walk by the time I went to have it incised. I had no other UC symptoms other than pain at the time.

It could be something else, this is just my 2 cents. Aside from what ipoop mentioned, thrombosed hemorrhoids can also have similar symptoms. I would suggest having your GI, or, preferably, a colorectal surgeon have a look if the pain continues to get worse as I don't believe pain is a normal symptom of a traditional UC flare.
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