Please advise - flare up!

Hi all, I'm scared and could really use some advice.

This is my third flare since diagnosis, the first flare was bad, my second was terrible. I would have to go about 12 times a day and the pain of BMs made me throw up each time.

I think I'm nearing the throw up stages with this flare :( I only go 3-4 times a day but it's always bloody diarrhea and VERY painful BMs. I'm very close to throwing up each time (tip for others - I find it helps if I shove my shirt or a towel into my nose and breathe that way, as if to cover a smell). I also get a little light headed after a BM, maybe placebo because I see blood, but maybe not. My heart rate seems to be the same and everything else is OK. No pains before BMs, only during.

This started roughly 3-4 weeks ago and since I'm pretty new to UC (was diagnosed about 2-2.5 years ago), I assumed the light bleeding would go away on its own. Well needless to say it didn't.

I can't afford to see my doctor and don't have insurance so I'm reaching out to you guys. What can I do? Right now I'm on Colazal (750mg) 3 pills 3x a day. Last time I asked my doc if upping to 4 pills 3x a day he said I could but he doesn't think it'll help any. What do you think, will it?

I also started yesterday juicing cabbage and drinking 3-4 cups a day. I read it really helps but it better start soon!

I'm very scared, I can't afford to be hospitalized (i think I was pretty close during my second flare).

I do have some 7 enemas left from my first attempt (long story short I think they may have been the cause of severe stomach pain for several days). Are these 7 enemas enough to carry me through?

Any tips you can give me?

Post Edited (GidHike) : 6/29/2011 5:52:51 PM (GMT-6)

GidHike, I can't tell you exactly what you're dealing with because I am not a doctor but from my experience, your flare sounds somewhat mild to moderate. You probably will not deal with a perforation when you're going 3x a day. Some of us go 20+x a day and haven't had a perforation so compared, you're in ok shape. What is worrisome is the feeling that you will throw up. If you're truly concerned about a perforation, I would head to the hospital, that is the only place where you will get confirmation that it's not a a perforation. I always have a lot of cramping pain when I am flaring and I've never been too corcerned about a perforation, as far as I know, it's pretty rare. If you're in a lot of pain, go get checked out please!!

I wouldn't feel comfortable only having 7 enemas. I usually have a cabinet full of ammo but I hope to not have ot use it. Many of the members here use enemas nightly for years to prevent future flare ups. Many are very successful.

If you have pancolitis, Colazal may not be the best medication for you. It only treats the leftside and down. Asacol/Lialda treat the whole colon.

Cabbage juice is very gassy. I don't know how you can drink that when you have UC.

Hi all, yes the pain passes after BMs. I feel like a perfectly normal person, except when I go to the bathroom and the pain and cramping starts. Mainly I'm worried about the possible perforation and why I get a throw up feeling when I go.

I've decided not to take the enema because it is made from the same stuff Asacol is (mesamaline, sorry about the spelling). When I was diagnosed I was put on Asacol HD and within two days my symptoms were noticeably worse.

Then the docs tried putting me on the enema, and the very next morning my stomach had stabbing pains, as if air bubbles were trapped and constantly trying to climb upwards. This lasted for 5 days. It was the worst pain I have had, and even went to the emergency room the second day out of fear something was going to rupture (they couldn't find anything.... let me tell you that's a great way to throw money away).

So it seems I'm allergic to enemas (at least the ones I have. Not sure if they're all made of mesamaline)

Post Edited (GidHike) : 6/29/2011 8:37:50 PM (GMT-6)