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When to Call the Doctor?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/28/2011 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't had a serious flare in a while...in fact, it was a little over a year ago that I had my last one. Well, I have been in what I suspect was the beginning stages of a flare (lots of gas, soft stool, emergency pooping (where you have to race to make it) and an accident or two where I didn't make it). Then, this morning...the dreaded blood on tissue. But...I guess I want to be in denial for a little longer. At first I thought, well maybe I'm really dry down there and bleeding from dry skin (I have really dry skin, so...wouldn't be a huge stretch). But, it was a significant amount, not just a drop or two, but the entire section of poop covered paper was red-tinted. So...how long should I wait to call the doctor? I feel like if I call them now, they're just going to tell me to wait a few days to make certain its not a fluke. I am not quite sure. I have the requisite symptoms (I've had two accidents recently >.<), but I guess I want to be in denial just a little while longer. Any thoughts?

Thanks :)
Posted 5/28/2011 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
You're flaring...plain and simple. You should call the doc and request to get on rectal meds asap. I think you should ask for Rowasa.

By the way....I think I can speak for a majority...we've all been in denial regarding flares and wishing them away...lol.

Dealing with your flares much earlier (like when you just started to have more gas, especially the gas that seems to just sit in the rectum and not passed as easily plus some "constipation" type symptoms.

It takes a while to recognise them...but NOW you need to call and request the rectal meds.

Have you been forgetting any dosages of your Lialda?

Are you taking 1 or 2?

q
Posted 5/28/2011 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think a doctor would tell you to wait a few days to make sure. The best and only med I ever used that made bleeding stop/decrease was mesalamine enema. Have you ever used them?

Besides enemas there are also suppositories like Canasa but they didn't do much for me. Others here have also been prescribed steroid enemas but I never used them so cannnot comment on them.

It's a way to get to the bleeding area directly because oral meds rarely get their medicine delivered that low in the colon.

I know about denial :-) tried it and it doesn't work lol.
Posted 5/28/2011 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
@Quincy: I recently increased to 2, and it's doing nothing. I used to only need one, and was constipated something awful taking two. For a long time, one was fine. Recently though, I've noticed that even two doesn't do it. I haven't tried rectal meds because my case was initially quite mild, but as it seems, it seem to be increasing in severity as I age. I haven't missed a dose in ages. When I was first diagnosed, I was less strict about taking my meds, but after seeing what can happen when you don't take your meds at a support group (one of the women there was so thin...she looked anorexic, and it scared me straight!), I always take them. At the moment, I am hoping to hold off just a few days. My doctor's office is closed, and being in an area where most GI docs are awful, I would rather wait for mine to be available.

@ imagardener2: I have never used enemas, and would rather avoid them if possible. I just hate knowing that this disease is taking a stronger hold on me. I do wish denial would work more effectively, then I could pretend I had food poisoning or something :)
Posted 5/29/2011 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
You're in denial....one lialda isn't even worth taking. Two would be best..but you could take one in the morning and one at night. The constipation is the rectal inflammation.

Get on the rectal meds....

or...


maybe you'd feel better if you waited a longer time and requested prednisone.


q
Posted 5/29/2011 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
girlzilla -
As Quincy said, I've sure been there and been in denial and tried to wait it out "in case it was a fluke."
But, in the past few years - through this forum, really - I've learned that the sooner I get on it and do rectal meds, increase probiotics, etc - the sooner it will turn around and not develop into a full-blown nasty flare!
Obviously I can't guarantee what would happen for you - but my recommendation would be to start rectal meds asap, maybe ask to increase the Lialda for the time being (my GI had said that if I were on Lialda I be taking 4...)

best of luck!! Keep us posted.
Posted 5/29/2011 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
You're in denial.

Use rectal suppositories ASAP!
Posted 5/29/2011 7:08 AM (GMT 0)
rectal enemas will help you get over this flare.

there is a saying in my country: when more than one people tell that you're drunk, you go to sleep.
well, we are more than one people here :)

good luck and keep us updated.
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