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Only symptom has been diarrhea for 3.5 weeks

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/11/2010 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
I had a really bad flare in the summer that went away. Now I'm in a strange situation where the only issue I have is diarrhea, but this has been going on for 3.5 weeks. It went away for a few days, but came back today. about a week into it I called my doctor, who couldn't see me for a month, so I saw the assistant there.

He said because I'm going less then 4 times per day and the only symptom is the diarrhea he's not concerned, but suggested I start using the mesalamine enemas again.

The last few days when everything was fine I was having a ton of rice and applesauce as well as boiled chicken breast.

What's really strange for me is that I've never had symptoms like this in the 10 years I've had UC. Right now I'm only going twice a day, which is normal for me and there is no blood, urgency, or any other problems besides the diarrhea. I asked my doctor if it could be food poisoning or something else and he said that would have only lasted a few days.

I don't really know what to do at this point other than keep on the mesalamine and learn to love rice and applesauce. Does anyone have any suggestions about what could be causing these strange symptoms?
Posted 11/11/2010 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
Do you think the rice, applesauce and chicken breast -- (sounds like the BRAT diet), do you think it really makes a difference? Did you change your diet and the symptoms started up again?

I feel confident that the enemas will help you. Are you taking oral meds?
Posted 11/11/2010 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
I think the diet helped as things improved for several days. Its just really difficult to have such a restricted diet and I feel a little weak and hungry all the time now. This is a difficult situation because I've also lost a little weight and feel hungry all the time.

I'm not taking any oral meds, just the align probiotic.
Posted 11/11/2010 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I would think the mesalamine enemas would kick in for you.
In the meantime... have you ever tried a fiber product like Benefiber or Metamucil? I take two heaping spoons of Metamucil a day and step that up to three when my stools become more diarrhea-ish... it clumps them together for me.

Sounds like the BRAT thing has helped some.... I would cautiously add another or two of whatever my "safe" foods are and see what happens.

Keep us posted!
Posted 11/11/2010 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Are you losing weight? If not I wouldn't worry about it.

I had UC, in remission for 10 years, and then had chronic diarrhea with weight loss. It turned out to be the start of a severe flare. I never thought it was UC as the 10 years of UC I always had constipation. I thought maybe the diarrhea was giardia as I had been backpacking shortly before it all started. If you start losing weight, or get other symptoms, see your GI immediately.

Sue
Posted 11/11/2010 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe you need orals. Do you have pancolitis. How extensive is your UC. The enemas hit the rectum.
Posted 11/11/2010 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
My question as well...where exactly is your UC located and since you mention you're only on the enemas, I suspect at diagnosis it was limited.

Ellen, the enemas will cover the sigmoid as well.

I would suspect that you have mild inflammation climbing...you need to make sure you see the doc and can get the doc to at least take a look-see.

As well...request oral 5ASA meds...and if you are on them, have you been faithful in taking them? What dosage?

I don't think it's food related, and I would suggest you start to eat as nutritiously and as varied as you can...you'll emotionally feel restricted. I think you're flaring, albeit mildly...you starting the enemas is a good thing. Start eating, you'll poo whether you eat or not.

fibre supplements will help with the diarrhea, and I strongly suggest you get on good quality probiotics.

Keep us posted.

q
Posted 11/12/2010 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
My initial flare (the flare that led to my diagnosis about a year ago) was very much like this. Just four weeks of diarrhea -- no urgency, no more than a few times a day, and no blood until this had been going on for weeks.

I agree with quincy that you might be ready to try oral 5-ASAs. Your doc will probably want to investigate whether the inflammation has moved farther up the colon.

I had, and still have, great luck with gelatinous and mucilagenous foods that bulk up the stool -- gelatin, pectin (applesauce already has some pectin, but you can buy pectin specially), and best of all chia seeds. Cheapest chia source I've found is nutsonline.com, but there are plenty of sources out there including your local natural foods store. Most fun way is to mix the seeds with juice or water, stir well, leave for 20 mins. Then you have a gel made of little balls (like bubble tea). Has been extremely effective for me.

Of course be sure you're staying hydrated too.

I hope you feel better soon -- I'll never forget my month of diarrhea.
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