HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Abdominal cramps, but it's not a flareup?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/13/2011 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
about two years ago I started having really, really bad abdominal cramping. At first I thought it was a flareup, but while I had D, I didn't have any blood. Also, the cramping didn't go away briefly after having a bowel movement as it does with a regular flareup.

I first went to my general doctor who said it was acid reflux and gave me some medication for that. Didn't help.

Eventually I went to my GI who said it was likely food poisoning. He gave me antibiotics, and I got better. The thing is I think I was starting to feel better right as I went to my GI, so I don't know if that really was the problem.

Well, now, it's happening again. I don't think it's food poisoning, I think it is related to the colitis but not a UC flareup. My GI gave me antibiotics again but it's been three days now and the cramping isn't any better.


Has anyone had any similar experiences?

Post Edited (UCinGV) : 10/13/2011 10:31:48 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/13/2011 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
UCinGV, I think we can have ups and downs, just as normal people do. A lttle cramping doesn't necessarily mean you have anything I don't think, so long as it is not ongoing. How long have you had the cramps? A couple weeks ago, for instance, I had gas, bloating, and some cramping for about 3 days. I thought the worst but I tried to stay positive and it passed on it's own. It is hard for me to judge your symptoms to be able to accurately tell if antibiotics are warranted but I hope they help get you back on track.

I have acid reflux and it's never caused me to cramp.
Posted 10/13/2011 4:38 PM (GMT 0)

notsosicklygirl said...
UCinGV, I think we can have ups and downs, just as normal people do. A lttle cramping doesn't necessarily mean you have anything I don't think, so long as it is not ongoing. How long have you had the cramps? A couple weeks ago, for instance, I had gas, bloating, and some cramping for about 3 days. I thought the worst but I tried to stay positive and it passed on it's own. It is hard for me to judge your symptoms to be able to accurately tell if antibiotics are warranted but I hope they help get you back on track.

I have acid reflux and it's never caused me to cramp.

They really started on Sunday, so it's been five days. And the cramping is bad enough to keep me from sleeping or going to work.
Posted 10/13/2011 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Do you have any other symptoms of UC? Does your GI want to do any further testing? It sounds pretty severe if you're unable to sleep and work. I would expect your GI to be more proactive in finding the cause. Did you call and him your GI know you're not improving? How many days are you on the antibiotics? What type of antibiotics?
Posted 10/13/2011 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like IBS which is most common with UC...

Melatonin has outstanding research for both. I take it and have perfect bowels daily, and have super awesome sleeps :) Its cheap and non addictive, and what mother nature intend! I have lights and computer screen in my house after the sun goes down so its rather unnatural and tricks my brain its still daylight, and messes up my circadian rhythm and immune system.

Hope this helps!
Posted 10/13/2011 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Food poisoning....general term. If your doctor didn't do stool samples, you cannot state it was or wasn't. He's remiss in not doing them...period. You might have easily picked up some gastro bug, but again...stool samples.

You might have c.diff...that can be picked up as well without being on antibiotics.

Flares do NOT always include bleeding...

What meds are you on?

Do you have any antispasmodics?

I wouldn't say it's IBS necessarily.

Is there anything food-wise that you've been eating more consistently...drinks, food, gum, treats, supplements?.....

q
Posted 10/14/2011 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
I went back to my doctor and he put me on a different antibiotic, Cipro... I feel a thousand times better. Cramps are gone. Finally recovering. I was on Metronidazole before.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply