New battle

Hi KiWi, Welcome to HW.

I am sorry you're experiencing what you think is the beginning of a flare up. It is possible that it is just gas but you know your body better than anyone and you are definitely doing the right thing by getting checked out. I hope it's gas and that you find no inflammation in the biopsies. If it does show inflammation, there is the possibility that you could treat with a rectal steriod enema since you caught it so early. They can be very helpful for lower inflammation and have much less side effects than pred. I will try to think positive for you, it's just gas!!

Thank you for the warm welcome, notsosicklygirl.

Unfortunately I'm in the initial phases of a flare up. The excessive gas was merely the first sign for me that things will change for a few months. I do experience other UC symptoms (some two weeks after the gas) from blood to UC type of BMs, but all are still well under control.

I usually do not have diarrhea, but constipation instead and hard stools once a day. Not your typical UCer.

One more thing, the enemas usually don't, for some unfortunate odd reason, work for me.

I'll know more after the colonoscopy. This is nothing new to me after so many years, countless procedures, medication regimes, tens of diets and trying just about everything under the sun except the worms.

Thank you for your well wishes, and have a great day.

PS If I may ask, I noticed that we're taking the same meds, but you don't list any probiotics. I'm on VSL#3DS. Any reason?

I stopped taking probiotics because they were too expensive. I haven't noticed my condition being better or worse since stopping them but I do love having the extra money in my pocket each month. I have been considering starting them again but I can't bring myself to spend the $.

UPDATE:

Yesterday, I finally underwent the colonoscopy procedure to address the beginning of a flare-up. As I wrote previously, I was quite certain I caught this one promptly - yet again. To "our" surprise (GI doc & I), we caught this flare even ahead of the usual new schedule.

Years ago, I used to be in a bad condition when I ended up on the table for the procedure, and I had to endure the high-dose prednisone regimen. "We" eventually reached the point of Remicade/colectomy as well, but I insisted always trying the prednisone first, because the initial doses were pretty low. What changed my life was probiotics, I'm sure of that. I've no doubt that my vegetarian diet has been beneficial as well throughout the years, although I'm unable to explain the long years in remission.

As I've mentioned, introducing probiotics (Culturelle at that time) to my diet, gave me several years of remission after a very long and dreadful on/off flare-up period. Then I learned about the VSL#3DS and succeeded to obtain the insurance company's consent to it. Since the beginning of the probiotics era, I've managed to catch the flare-ups really early; thus, the 'new schedule.' I think it could be due to the probiotics keeping the flare spreading like a wildfire in a flash in my body. (I'd love to hear your take on this.)

This time I was really expecting to get a low-dose prednisone regimen (old habits die hard), but to 'our' surprise, the two inches of inflammation in the rectum require only a month-long Canasa treatment. Happy me!

The fact of the matter is that the early symptoms, the reason I contacted my GI doc and ended up on the table, were already decreasing while I waited for the procedure. I'd not have been surprised if I could have reached a remission without the help of additional medication. I felt so so well that I decided to take a short trip overseas prior to the colonoscopy.

Why this disease of ours is so weird that what works with one person, does not work with another, is beyond me. Quite a few posters here have expressed their views that probiotics don't make much difference in their lives. Others seem to get some degree of relief from it. I'm of the opinion that everybody ought to at least try probiotics. I was very reluctant to try out at first (I do not personally believe in all the 'miracle' cures - been there, done that - although I support anything UC'ers want to attempt regardless how weird it may be). However, at that time it was the Remicade/colectomy or something else. Fortunately, in my case the else was the probiotics.

I'm no expert on the probiotics or UC. That said, my GI group docs push Align and prescribe the VSL#3DS. As I mentioned before, I had very good experience with the Culturelle. What works with you, you must find out yourself.

My experience with the UC Pancolitis is that the most important factor is optimism, not giving up (I'm not very good at that). A good GI doc that is available and listens to you is the next important matter. A diet is a must. Despite the allegations of some that they're able to empty a bottle of whiskey a day and eat everything under the sun, we are a diverse group and a proper diet customized for you is beneficial. With most UC'ers it takes some time to learn and adjust, but it appears that eventually most get it right. I really think that the better you know yourself, the better off you're fighting this monster.

I wish good luck, health and happiness, to all.