spasms and BM's

I think I am starting to reach the end of my rope here. I know there are so many other people here that have dealt with this for much longer, but I am starting to get seriously frustrated. Almost a year of my life has been put on hold because of the constant flare and my worries of accidents etc. I thought I was starting to do well a few weeks ago and then all of a sudden these intense and painful muscle spasms started when I had a BM. Most of the time nothing wouold come out. It was almost like dry-heaving out of your ass. I don't complain to much but I am starting to get a little frustrated. Anyone experience this? BTW, I am going to the bathroom at like 20x a day again. I was down to 8 but I am thinking my reduction in mg's of Pred might have something to do with it. I never had good results going from 20mg to 15mg. Thanks everyone and have a gerat holiday!

I have been there time and again... I have described it the same way to other people as well - dry heaves out your ass is exactly dead on... I would go through the same during the worst parts of my flare... sometimes from tapering pred, sometimes just because my UC felt like it because its a real prick... Over the years I have found it to be cyclical almost....it comes and goes on its own...sometimes taking months, sometimes weeks....all depends I suppose. Princesa put it just how I would have - reduce stress, anxiety, and take other alternatives like fishoil, flax oil, or probiotics... I think dicyclomine works as well as an anti-spasmodic (Bentyl) - I remember trying that and having some success....

thanks everyone for replying. I have took it upon myself to up the dosage back to 20mg of Pred again and conditions have imporoved mildly but not completely. I have tried Rectal meds but can't keep them in. I have lost way too much work and lost almost all credibility with friends. It is extremely aggravating when you tell someone you can do something when you are feeling fine and then when the day comes your ass explodes. Gaahhhh!

I have done the same as far as self-prescribing higher doses of pred.....lately both of my GI's are adamant about getting off the pred and I am back down to 10mg a day, eventually going to taper off... I noticed that the higher doses of pred really stopped my assplosions and cramps as well - and honestly if I could I would stay on that dose of pred indefinitely - I will take the weight gain and moon face over assheaves (maybe that can be a new UC term?) - but according to my doc's the long term use of high doses of pred is pretty bad....that bums me out.