After 8 Glorious years ... A FLARE 😡🤦🏻‍♀️

Back to square one after having a solid remission the last 8 years. Ugh.
I was able to stop taking maintenance meds 3 years ago-
I am gluten free (intolerance) & dairy free (allergic) which was discovered because of my UC journey. I am extremely diligent about my diet. I also believe in supplements- I take turmeric, Omega-3, D, B, and probiotics daily & have for atleast 15years.
My problem started when I became chronically constipated over the summer this year, I suspect that is due to the change of my IUD last March. Long story short- GI doc (same I’ve had since day 1!) decided to take a look and in December, I had a scope.
NO ACTIVE DISEASE, A BEAUTIFUL COLON indeed!!! However, he asked me to start linzess. I was skeptical since I’ve not taken any meds for a very long time. Just so u know, I appreciate medicine, My 11 year old son is now on meds for his newly diagnosed UC (like mother, like son - sadly) BUT, I am super skeptical about what I will put in MY body BECAUSE of my UC and my very solid remission. Long story short, I’m not sure if that linzess triggered the HORRIBLE flare that’s just blown up the past 2 weeks or the scope was the underlying cause or a combo of the 2. Either way, I feel like dirt & it’s been awhile since I’ve felt so bad & spent so much time in the bathroom-
I asked for a prednisone script and that starts tomorrow for the next 2 weeks. I’ve also added Boswellia to my supplement intake to aid the turmeric.
I’ve not been in this hell for quite sometime so I’d like to ask what suggestions you all might have ? And I appreciate them!!!

Have you had stool tests done to make sure it's not c diff or something?

I'd recommend rectal meds. They can make a huge difference.

2 weeks of prednisone is a very fast course. What dosage are you starting at? Pred never worked for me unless I did at least a week of 40 mg and then tapered by 5 mg/week -- usually takes 6-8 weeks to taper completely.

What were your previous maintenance meds? Could you go back on them?

Wow, I'm in a similar boat. 2 yrs of remission until my most recent scope that said "all good".
40mg Pred is working for me after a week. Hoping to start tapering in another week.

Also, dropping by 10 mg at a time can sometimes be too fast. If you see any symptoms returning you may need to check with your doc to slow it down to 5 mg a week. Some even have to go slower once they hit 20 mg. Listen to your body and don't push it to heal faster than it can.

Don't wait to start back on Colazol. Pred is just a rescue to give your maintenance med time to work so that by the time you taper off pred the colazol will already be working to keep you in remission.

What long term side effects are you worried about? Mesalamine is the mildest of the meds we can take for UC and there are people hear at HW that have been on it for over 20 years.

Are you using any rectal meds? I was resistant to starting them because they sounded yukky but once I tried them I discovered how easy they are to use. I had to ask my doc for the script (he never suggested rectal meds) based on so many recommendations from this forum. Many docs don't prescribe them unless requested .. maybe because of the yuk factor.

Eight year remission is great JustaMyth...congrats! Hope you get this flare under control and find remission again quickly! Good luck!!