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how to get a flare under control

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/27/2011 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
I was doing well for about 2 weeks. Started 2 VSL DS packets each morning with my 3 Asacol HD twice a day along with a steroid enema and a mesameline enema rotation and was only going 3-5 times a day with slight cramping and no blood. I woke up today and have gone 4 times already with a good amount of blood. This disease makes no sense. Any help would be appreciated!
Posted 12/27/2011 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
How long for the enemas?

Any other supplements you've added?

Recently, any antibiotics?

Bad time of the year for excess stress/distress/commitments, etc...how has that been for you?

Are you female and having/nearing your period?

what's the consistency of the stool...meaning are you having loose, soft or diarrhea?

What steroid enema?

What exactly is the rotation of the enemas?

Right, the disease makes no sense sometimes...but you're doing better than when your flare started?

q

Posted 12/27/2011 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
How long for the enemas? very steady for past two weeks but on and off for years

Any other supplements you've added? no

Recently, any antibiotics? no

Bad time of the year for excess stress/distress/commitments, etc...how has that been for you? normal stress

Are you female and having/nearing your period? nope all male

what's the consistency of the stool...meaning are you having loose, soft or diarrhea? its thin and solid ribbons and i have been getting cramps and acidic burn

What steroid enema? Cort

What exactly is the rotation of the enemas? every other night

ive never totally been out of a flare. giving this one more shot and than doing surgery if not
Posted 12/28/2011 8:45 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely sounds limited to the rectum. The acid burn is classic for me when I'm starting to flare or have limited inflammation.

Have you been on the mesalamine enemas? I'm sure I asked you in the past, but can't remember.

I would go to nightly enemas for sure.

Ah, I didn't read the one a day Male vitamins...lol.

instead of the antacid, maybe try Zantac, or is that what you're using (acid reducer).

You could consider to use a suppository during the day and enemas during the night....or foam steroid during the day and mesalamine at night.

Hope something helps, but I hear you on the surgery part.

q
Posted 12/28/2011 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
turnpkegates: So far it looks like you have quite the arsenal of drugs to help you out.

I am curious about your diet because it hasn't been mentioned at all yet. It looks like you have had UC for a while now so I have a feeling you know what triggers a flare. I also know that over time one can become less tolerant to other foods.

This might not help you at all but I thought it was worth bringing up.
Posted 12/28/2011 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
I wasn't able to control my UC reliably until eliminating gluten and then other foods when gluten-free worked.
Good luck. It is a mysterious and confounding disease.
Posted 12/28/2011 2:26 PM (GMT 0)

hi there

 

NJ here also (south)

 

i hear your frustration. 

things you can try:  upping your asacol (check w your dr of course)  i remember being on as many as 9-12 pills a day before switching to lialda.

I agree with Quincy about the nightly enema and then during the day suppository (forget what they are called!).  If your inflammation is limited to your rectum area, this will keep that area bathed in the meds all the time.

 

agree with imagardner about diet- at the very least before you go the surgery route, keep a food diary, see if anything makes your symptoms worse.  For me, lactose was lethal! 

 

i notice that when i am doing well, then have a bad day, its becasue i have either forgotten to do an enema for a couple days or something i ate.  (sugary stuff, junk food, etc). 

 

good luck

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