First flare?? Please help

Sounds like a bad flare. Is there any way to see another doctor? Or at least keep calling them and tell them it's urgent. If nothing else, you can go to the ER at the hospital. Are you still running a fever? I don't know why he gave you folic acid...you only need to be on that if you're taking sulfasalazine, not Asacol. He doesn't sound like a very good doctor. When you get in to see someone, ask about increasing your Asacol to 12 a day (I take 6 twice a day, works for me) and adding mesalamine enemas at night. Hang in there. I feel your pain.

Iron isn't a bad idea but just keep an eye on your gut and stop taking if it seems to be making things worse. There are also liquid forms of iron that can be easier on the gut and you could take a smaller amount if the problem is too much iron in the pill form.

I've never gotten out of a flare with asacol alone, always had to do prednisone or something else.

Don't hesitate to get to the ER if the fever persists or gets higher and if you're still vomiting and losing a lot of blood. Your body can only handle so much and you could get dehydrated on top of everything else.

Are you still passing stool or is it just blood?

Your doctor should do blood tests and one of the things he should check is your iron levels. If he hasn't done this already, ask him to at your next visit. You should try to get in or at least talk to him on the phone before the 21st. How long have you been on the Asacol? It pulled me out of my first flare, which was very severe. 9 Asacol a day is a good starting dosage, that is a good med to be on...I just wasn't sure of the point of the folic acid unless he tested you and you were low for some reason. Asacol can take several weeks to fully kick in. Make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids and getting as much rest as possible. And try to stay away from Google... :)

Are you seeing a gastroenterologist? Is it possible to see one?

Sorry you're going through this. I was only 23 when I got UC. Hang in there. It will get better once you're on the right meds.

I had a colonoscopy and all that they gave me was a paper that said "colitis" and a brief definition of that word.. They took biopsies but I won't know those results until my appointment date. I was awake throughout some of the colonoscopy and was able to see the red sores all over my colon.. What does the enema do? I really do not want to take the steroids if I can avoid it, my brother had crohns desease and I know he hated taking them. He passed away before my diagnosis though, so I havent had much guidance with this new addition to my life.

My GI knows he had crohns, that was one of the first things I told him upon my first doctor visit. Apparently he's the best GI at this hospital but not very responsive or communicative. Well I wasn't exactly "awake" during the colonoscopy but I was fighting the sleepiness because I wanted to see what was going on up there! So I faded in and out but I remembered asking if the red blister looking things were normal (answer was no, go figure) I will DEFINATELY ask about the enemas, since the bleeding has occurred I can feel a soreness when cleaning up, so if that will help target the bottom half then I'm all for it.

Right side pain is typical of Crohn's disease and is probably related to your flare. People with UC can also have inflammation on the right side, but that is usually because their whole colon is inflamed (pancolitis).

Geez.. So should I go ahead and go to the ER or a quick care? I don't have a fever anymore so I don't know if it will even be worth the hassle

Well I called and finally got ahold of someone, the "medical assistant" told me to go ahead and go to the clinic that they provide at their hospital, so I will give y'all an update as soon As I have one

What ever you do, if the asacol helps, STAY ON IT for at least a year even if you are in remission, potentially then on a lowered dose. It is the safest drug by FAR for UC and they only get scary fast from there. Forgetting or neglecting to take it after achieving remission can make a relapse happen that can be much harder to get rid of the second time (ask me how I know).

Also, I would start paying attention to your diet. Dr.s will generally tell you that it doesnt matter, but it does. Keep a detailed, succinct journal of not only what and when you eat, but of your symptoms. Believe me, this tends to worsen over time and you dont want to **** with severe IBD. Make a document on your computer that you just add to daily, any and all pertinent info with dates.

Get yourself tested for gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, your inflammation marker (sed rate), and have your vitamin b and d levels checked. S

Good foods (for *me* anyway)

sushi, almond milk, avocado, split pea soup, fish, rice, squash, spinach etc. Find what works for you. Read labels. Your average chicken noodle from the "super"market is garbage. Filled with stuff you cant pronounce. Everyone is different and therefore requires one to be their own best advocate for health and their own Dr.

figure out if you can tolerate or *avoid* milk/dairy (cheese may be ok, hard to say), refined sugars, processed anything, fast food, etc. Probably stay away from coffee and alcohol for the time being until you are better, then slowly reintroduce things.

This will require you really make changes, do research, and be diligent. If your diet is anything like the average american changing that will be as hard as dealing with the symptoms of the disease. Get lazy and cheat= suffer even more. Trust me. The amount of hell this can bring is no joke. Take it seriously, even when it (hopefully) goes away.

Laurenvonn-
Here is a link to a good website that provides lots of useful info:

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ulcerative-colitis-000166.htm

Folic acid was prescribed by my GI along with Colazal. It's benefits are described in the above.

Oh geez. I am sorry they told you that. That doctor has no right to tell you something looks like it could be cancer when he sounds like he knows nothing about UC even. The bleeding "may" be from a flare? Really? You think? Who are these doctors? Yes, definitely call your GI tomorrow and keep us posted! So sorry you're having to deal with this! It does not surprise me that your whole colon is inflamed with your above described symptoms. How much of your colon was inflamed during your colonoscopy? I don't understand your statement about your stomach. Hang in there...

Oh I understand now. Yeah, that would baffle me too. Sorry, I read your post wrong and thought you meant your entire colon was inflamed. Sometimes when I'm flaring, mostly just blood and mucous comes out and not much actual stool. I don't know about the lymph nodes but maybe they could be related to the UC? I really have no idea but best to try not to worry until you get them checked out. I know, easier said than done. I wish I could take this all away for you.