Do I go to the hospital?

I am new to Ulcerative Colitis. I was diagnosed November of 2013 and really only had mild symptoms then, a little blood in my bm and minor stomach pains. They put me on Lialda and I went into remission until February 2015. I have a flare up that started 3 weeks ago and it is awful. First, it was stomach pains that made me almost vomit. I had to lie down each time I got them and it was about every few hours. I made an appointment with a specialist since it is worse this time and my GI is not helpful. Anyway, I don't have an appointment to see the specialist until April 27 unless they get a cancellation. It's the Sansum clinic in Santa Barbara.

What makes me almost consider going to a hospital is that I started bleeding 3 days ago and since yesterday my bm's are basically only blood. I go at least 10 times a day and last night I went 5 times. I'm also feeling weak and not motivated to do anything which is not good because I am a teacher. Yet at work, I'm rushing to use the restroom when I can and having to sit at my desk when the pain is unbearable. It is the weekend and I'm able to use the restroom often. However at work, I can't and I'm scared that my bm's will be just as frequent at work. I'm also scared I'm losing too much blood, it makes me sick just looking at it. What should I do? Wait for the specialist? Go to the hospital?

Sheila, 28, female
Prescribed Lialda but stopped taking it over a year ago, didn't feel like it helped.
Diagnosed nov. 2013

Hi Sheila, sounds like we live close. Is there a good specialist in Santa Barbara?

How many liada are you taking maybe you can double it? Do you have ant enema or suppositories! Canasa makes it possible for me to work. I have urgency at times, that is just something that I deal with.

Go on low residue diet, bioled egg, grilled chicken, broth today see if it helps.

It's gotta be so hard but while teaching just say hold that thought and go take care of business until you get better meds. If you can get some meds today and take a couple days off to stableize that might be good. It's gotta be super stressful.

Maybe call GI now and see if they phone in pres?

Please keep us posted. What grade do you teach?

I teach 7th grade. Sansum clinic is supposed to be the best place in that area. I actually live 1.5 hours from there. I guess I stopped Lialda because my first flare up wasn't as bad and once I got better I just stopped taking it. My doctor had said it was either a very mild case or I might not truly have it. However, this flare up proves I do. I still have some Lialda so I will for sure start it again. I came on here because my husband us very concerned and hates to see me this way.

Shiela, that is the biggest mistake we all make (guilty) but it is a lesson to never stop taking maint meds.

It's your choice but ER visit can take forever and you can call Samsun to see if GI on duty, might end up being the one you have appt with.

Do something because it won't stop alone.

Do you live north or south, I live south about an hr of SB. Can give you dr name if you want. Depends on where you live.

Go early as you can today. You won't regret it.

I have an appt with Dr. Dotson in April but dr. Petrini is supposed to look at my records to see if he can get me in sooner. They are both at Sansum. I'm actually from Bakersfield but our doctors aren't the best here

blood can look like more than it is. lots of people here pooped blood for some period of time. the ER will not generally treat colitis, but only the symptoms of anemia or dehydration. they may give some pain med, but usually only after they have a good idea of what is causing pain.

ask gi on phone to prescribe Lialda again, and maybe 3-4 /day. also ask for steroid enema, and stool test for c.diff.

if you are really dehydrated and anemic the ER might admit you to hospital and give you IV sterroids. This could tame things enough for the Lialda to get a foothold. But, it is possible you are going to need to move on to a biologic med.

In hindsight, not having some sort of anti-inflammatory or low-dose Lialda as a maintenance plan may have cost you a lot. Subsequent flares can be harder to treat. But, some people do get into remission a 2nd time. I hope you have a good outcome.

If your husband wants to help than he can buy a whole chicken (I prefer non-hormone, non-antibiotics, organic) and place in pot (fill with water to at least cover chicken and give enough broth) with diced carrots, celery, onion (could add little turmeric - if you like), a basil leaf, salt (small amount of black, ground pepper if you can tolerate). Boil until meat falls off bone and all that bone marrow and cartilage and good stuff cooks down.
You'll find that better than any chicken soup out there.
I add egg noodles for wife and kids

Drink lots of water and other tolerated fluids

I agree on eggs (plain - I cook in microwave in bowl for ease but break yokes so they don't explode)
I like plain Greek style yogurt (I add frozen blueberries for flavor and nutrients but see how that does you).

cook down vegetables for easier digestion (wife likes them firm - I steam them until they're very soft).

Post Edited (Burli) : 3/8/2015 10:39:54 AM (GMT-6)

I'm with the banana lady. The only thing that could pull me out of a 10+ times a day flare is Prednisone. There is merit in simplifying your diet in the interim, SCD-style.

Good!! You will be able to work and that is good! Trying to stay as normal as possible; working for most of us is key!

On the weekends you can try to recharge.

Don't forget to take your liada every day still. Maybe see if they write you stript for oral pred cause April a few weeks off.