I guess all good things must come to an end

Sounds like a good idea to me. Hope it resolves quickly for you. Running to the bathroom with little ones is a pain for sure.

Um, no. I didn't forget about it. I've been taking my meds like I should be, and once the BMs started increasing, I responded with a med increase. I tend to go through periods where I'm gassier than normal, probably diet-related, and cycle-related. So being gassy for a few days is pretty normal for me.

Ah, I see. Well, I haven't really worried about it in about four years now, given that before this, I was in a super solid remission for five years. Maybe some when I was pregnant and in the immediate post-partum period, but not really. I just take my meds and go on about my business. I'm definitely not one who worries about my diet, inspects my poop on a daily basis, or doesn't make plans because of UC-related "what-ifs." It's definitely a luxury of the long-term remission.

Sucks to hear that things have gone awry. But, you recognised the symptoms asap and acted upon them quickly.

I'd suggest the steroid foam for the day and the mesalamine at night (I think that's your plan anyway?).

I started to flare last week when I got sick with extreme nausea and a cough...it's been a tough two months emotionally, and the gas was definitely a symptom. As of a week, I've increased to nightly enemas and should stay on them for a while longer than I have the last time I upped them (which I think was when my cat died).

You have amazing patience and the tools to use to help you feel better. Hang tough!

Keep us posted how you're doing.

q

Thanks, all.

I actually think it *might* be hormone related. I had my tubes tied when my daughter was born, because I had to have a c-section and we knew we were done with two kids. Except when I've been pregnant, or trying to get pregnant, I've been on birth control pretty much ever since I was 17. My mom had ovarian cancer at 30, and research suggests that birth control can reduce the chance that you'll develop it. I haven't been on it, though, since a few months before getting pregnant with my daughter, and my periods have gotten progressively worse since I had my first post partum one in September -- I have extremely heavy bleeding the first day or two (we're talking soaking a tampon in three hours), near debilitating cramps the first day, and bowel weirdness (constipation the day or two prior to starting, then diarrhea the day or two after I start).

Anyway, I saw my OBGYN for my yearly appointment last week, and she thought the mild UC flare might be related to all of that -- the hormone fluctuations each month could be stirring things up a bit, and it's finally reached a tipping point, so to speak. She said she'd be willing to Rx just about any form of BC, but she recommended Mirena or the mini-pill over all other options, due to the estrogen issue, and that I should talk to my GI about it tomorrow. So, we'll see.

Of course, it could just be UC being UC.

aww, I am sorry to hear it. You can probably stave it off with some extra rectals. I think mild symptoms can come and go and it doesn't always mean the worst is imminent. I am hoping for the best for you. Steroid enemas or cortifoam are both very helpful :)

Sorry to hear that your symptoms are increasing. Thanks for sharing though, it's interesting to read how the veterans such as yourself react in these situations. MIT gives newbies such as myself a loose plan to follow if we find ourselves in the same situation.

I'm hopefully the increase in rectals get you back to normal

It's really amazing how you lasted so long without a mild or serious flare. You were using a real maintenance dose and have some room upward that should tamp down the flare. Good luck. I hadn't had a flare since March 2010 and now I'm trying to get out from under one.

Fruitgirl...I think you and your gyne figured it out. Hope the changes in bc helps.

One of the first times I bled with a flare in 14 years was because of me going off the hrt estrogen patch. Wow, slammed me hard in addition to the other menopause symptoms. Couldn't get the patch back on quick enough..lol.

Please let us know how the change in med works for you.

q

good that you are on top of things. best success.

I saw my gastro yesterday -- he Rx'ed steroid enemas for the daytime and extra mesalamine enemas for nighttime. I'll do both for a month and will see him after that. My local pharmacy didn't have the enemas in stock, so didn't start them last night.

My symptoms have actually improved over where I was before I started nightly mesalamine enemas, so that's a really good sign. I'm very hopeful that I'll be back to normal really quickly.

Old Hat, no blood or mucus -- just an uptick in gas, frequency (4/day on the "worst" days), and urgency, and slightly looser stool, but no diarrhea. So really, a super mild flare.

He was on board with Mirena, so now I need to call my insurance to make sure they'll still cover it, given that I've had my tubes tied. Considering all the problems I'm having, if they initially deny it, my guess is that my OBGYN will be able to successfully argue for it.