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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/5/2015 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have been in a flare up for over a month now and have lost over 25 lbs in a month. I have completely lost my appetite and even when i try to eat within 15-20 minutes am on the floor in pain. The doctors just keep telling me to try and eat what i can. Not sure what to do.
Posted 10/5/2015 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
What meds and dosages are you on and what meds and dosages did you discontinue?
Posted 10/5/2015 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Get an appointment with a GI. doc as soon as possible!
Posted 10/5/2015 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
I am on pentasa 4000 mg a day as well as rowasa at night and on a prednisone taper right now.
Posted 10/5/2015 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
How long have you been on the pred and the other meds. What is the extent of your Uc?

If you tell us more of your Uc history, we can possibly offer more suggestions.
Posted 10/5/2015 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
When you're flaring that much, I don't think a taper of pred is smart. You may have to up it again and look for a different/additional maintanence drug. That's just my opinion. Is your doc a GI doc?
Posted 10/5/2015 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Andrina - steroids are a (temporary) get out of jail free card and it's best not to taper until symptoms are under control. That usually buys enough time to start looking at a remission strategy, including diet mods, herbs, vitamins and meds.

How much pred were you on? 30-40mg is usually where a doctor tries to find a sweet spot early on, though it's normal to go higher. If you've been on that much for more than a few weeks and are struggling to taper then it's definitely time to start taking a good look at your diet, lifestyle and meds.

I do know that strong antioxidants (grape seed extract, qing dai, wheatgrass juice, vitamin c powder) that help you taper from pred as they work to resolve oxidative stress inside the colon, leaving your body free to work on lowering inflammation with the help of the cortisol which comes from your pred. That could be worth looking into. Hope you start getting better soon either way.
Posted 10/5/2015 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
many UC meds can take weeks to months to work. IF you are flaring, and meds pass through too quickly, this can take longer.

You may need higher pred (for a longer time) before tapering.

When flaring it is best to eat low residue, and to consider eliminating lactose and gluten - because gut microbes help with these foods, and right now you gut microbes are likely scrambled.

Some, but not most UC patients have immediate reaction to foods. It takes a while for foods to get into colon. This could mean you have some IBS (a motility disease) in addition to IBD. Or it could mean you are getting a lot of anxiety after you eat. OR it could mean issues higher up in the GI trac,

It would take time to run down each of these possibilities, and treating the IBD is a logical 1st step.

IBD is not often put into remission quickly. You have to hang n there, but also notice how you symptoms and diet changes day to day, and get educated on the stronger meds, as well as some anti-inflammatory foods.
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