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What would you do to avert this?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/7/2010 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I am writing to ask for your advice. I had my first and very bad flare in June this year, when I was Dx-ed with pancolitis. I got in remission towards the end of August, after 6 weeks on Prednisone, and Apriso, and Rowasa. I continued with the Apriso and reduced the enemas to one every second/ third day. I felt perfect!

Two days ago, I started to have a bad sore throat and a slight fever (99* F), and I also noticed that some UC symptoms were returning. Yesterday I pooped pinkish mucous 4 times and I am very scared that I am headed towards a flare.

I still have a bad sore throat and pharyngitis (my voice has become rasp), no fever, but the mucous is still coming. I used the enemas every night. My question is; what would you do if you experienced this? I just took a Tylenol for the throat and I hope it will not increase my UC symptoms. Have you ever managed to avert a flare that started ike this, in the rectum? If so, after how many days have you noticed an improvement?

I am so scared and frustrated! I have two young kids and, of course, at this time of the year, they bring home lots of viruses...

Thank you for your advice, I really appreciate it.

Best to all,
RT
Posted 12/7/2010 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes when we get sick, it activates our Uc. Our immune systems go into overdrive so to speak. If you are having a bad sore throat, you might want to go have it checked out to be sure it's not strep. I've had tons of streps infections in the past with and without fevers.

But it's good that you are using the enemas every night. Continue to do so and hopefully it will avert the impending flare. Which enemas are you using? If you start to get worse, give your GI a call and see what he/she says.
Posted 12/7/2010 4:28 PM (GMT 0)
ARe you completely off the pred?

I wouldn't say that the cold created the symptoms you're having at this point, but you would have had some inflammation happening anyway and the cold just exacerbated it. You had tapered to every third night, so I would suggest as you're doing...enemas nightly till at least after Christmas and until you're off the pred completely.

The fact that you jumped on the enemas nightly again quickly is awesome!!!! That's what we have to do.
Deal with your cold the best you can...mucinex can help get rid of the phlegm.

Gargle with salt water..that can ease some of the symptoms.

Try not to overreact at this point on the scared part...but the frustration part is normal.

Hang tough...if you don't improve regarding your throat and you have an obvious infection, you might need to seek antibiotics.

Keep us posted.feel better soon,
quincy
Posted 12/7/2010 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Red_34 and quincy for the replies.

Quincy, I have been off the prednisone since the beginning of September. The remission was great, just one normal BM in the morning and no blood or mucous at all. Yes, I immediately jumped on the nightly enemas and started to take VSL#3 DS two days ago. My throat bothers me more in the night, the air is also very dry now with the heaters on... Right now I am OK, but I still had some mucous this morning. No D yet.
I would be SOOOOO happy if I could avert this, obviously.

Thanks again, regards,
RT
Posted 12/7/2010 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
A virus can definitely aggravate UC and bring on symptoms. Most of the time for me the symptoms disappeared after the cold/flu cleared up.
Posted 12/10/2010 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I am feeling much better cold-wise. And I think I am flaring, with the inflammation probably limited to the rectum. I am saying this because I only see bloody mucous 2 times/ day, and I have one normal BM. Hopefully, no D will decide to show up...

Songlady, I remember you posted this summer that you averted a flare. What were your symptoms? How many days did it take for the enemas to help? Did you also use any rectal meds during the day? I'm trying to see if I can do something to stop the inflammation from ascending. Thank you for your thoughts, I appreciate it!

Best to all,
RT
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