UC flare sudden or gradual?

I have been having some symptoms such as increased gas, pressure and feeling as though I may need to have a bm. I was recently at my GI appointment and mentioned these symptoms and if it could be the start of a flare. He thought I was thinking too much of my symptoms but did talk about a flare having a gradual onset and that I need to look at my symptoms over more time than just a couple weeks.

Prior to my diagnosis my flare seemed to hit like a ton of bricks and out of the blue. So I am left wondering what others have experienced.

When you flare is it a gradual onset or sudden onset?

I have gotten both so what do I vote for?

To be honest, I have been in flare only 3X so far, twice gradual, once sudden. All other 'flares' were connected to my advil or alleve use as migraine abortives (all sudden, within 4 to 5 hours).

I don't know how much useful information you will get out of this because almost everyone has a different definition for flares and remission. For those having several flares you will probably find that they have had both.

For me, I've really only had one flare since my UC got worse. I was diagnosed in February and just had slight bleeding and mucus. I didn't really consider that a flare compared to what I experienced later. I didn't have cramping or urgency or anything. My GI just told me to eat more fiber and I'd be fine. I didn't think that was really good to do so in July when I came home from school I saw a new GI. He prescribed lialda and a flare hit me like a sack of potatoes. I was intolerant to the mesalamine so I had diarrhea, vomitting, fever, chills, loss of appetite, etc. It was horrible. Then he prescribed canasa and after 3 days I started having severe cramping. That's when I consider my flare to have started and it just got worse from there.

I think remission is gradual though. I don't think you just wake up one morning symptom free. Although that would be awesome.

"it has been one long flare, going over 3 years now."


wow, 3 years ? I think i'd be doing something different - like 2 years ago !