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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/11/2012 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
I had something interesting happen to me a couple of weeks ago and I'm not quite sure which way to take it.

I've been in a flare of sorts for nearly a month. As per drs. instructions, I'm using Salofalk enemas nightly while bleeding (when I had improvement with the enemas, I had gone to every other night).

I was away from home for 4 days. I'll mention here that I live in a pretty stressful situation and being away for a few days is a big vacation for me. Well, I was staying in my daughter's bachelor apartment and we also had my DIL and grandbaby all spending the night. I didn't use my rectal meds for those three nights because of the lack of privacy.

Beginning on my first morning away, my bowel 'routine' changed like a switch. Normally (at least when I'm bleeding) I spend about 2 1/2 hours in the morning going in and out of the bathroom maybe 6 to 8 times. Well, while I was away, I went once or twice in the morning with little urgency and then once again in the evening.

I was pretty stressed out about going away because I was so worried about being near a toilet, having a pooping accident, worrying about missing my medication. I was still worried about what's happening at home, but also realized I was free of the situation since I was so far away.

Now, was this change in bowel habits due to not using Salofalk or was it from having a break from my home stress?
Posted 10/11/2012 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Stress break! I am convinced that there are people in our lives that quite frankly make us sick.
Posted 10/11/2012 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
Stress can make a difference, sometimes a big difference. However, I'm going to cast my vote for the meds this time.
Posted 10/11/2012 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Break from the stress for sure. When I go to visit my family in Ohio I have no issues at all. And my Mom feeds me to no end (and some of the stuff is not necessarily something I would normally eat).
Posted 10/11/2012 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
It's sure helpful to get some feedback, thanks. I can't replicate the vacation at this time, so I'm experimenting (at drs suggestion) with removing the Salofalk.

This morning: frequency is down; urgency is down; stool is loose, mostly blood.

One confounder...I didn't drink coffee this morning either.
Posted 10/11/2012 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
You're best to stay on the Salofalk enema. what dosage is it...4g or 2g?

How long nightly have you been using it. You still are flaring, however...if that doesn't agree with you, maybe ask the doc to either add a steroid enema or alternate with it and the salofalk.

q
Posted 10/11/2012 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
After coming to China this year for a second visit (to help my gf with a few things) my stools instantly changed from yellow, loose with BMs ranging from 2 - 4 per day (which lasted for 4 months straight in Australia) to healthy brown, formed with BMs ranging from 1 - 3 per day. Abdominal aches/pains still persist though.
Posted 10/11/2012 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on a 4g dose of the Salofalk. I started using them about 3 months ago in July. My GI appt coincided with what I call a period flare. In April May and June I had bloody BMs during my period too. Feb, I can't remember and in Jan I had been bleeding since the previous July.(wasn't diagnosed yet)

So, in July I started the Salofalk enemas nightly till my follow up appointment in early August. The bleeding had stopped. Dr told me to do 2 more weeks of enemas every night, then go to every other night.

The bleeding started up before my August cycle (when I could feel myself ovulate) but I stayed with the every other night enema...which may be where I made my mistake. It's done now, but I guess I was so ticked off and a bit scared that the medication wasn't working not to mention how hard it is to use a freakin enema when you already feel like crappola! Late August I still had bloody stool every day but not with every BM.

It was early Sept when I missed the doses and the urgency/frequency changed. I have actually been bleeding since mid August.

So, right now I'm at the part of my cycle where I would expect to feel better, so maybe this is the wrong time to do the time off experiment. It might be better to go back to nightly enemas three or 4 days before I expect my cycle to start.

I should also mention that I'm 48. Not really any perimenopausal signs except the odd day when I want to scream my fool head off at people who can't drive and also with this frustrating disease.

When you become intolerant to mesalamine drugs, what do you feel like?
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