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Posted 10/30/2015 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
Howdy,

Going to give a heads up, this question is kind of weird. Even typing it is awkward but here it goes.

So, good news to all. I have finally tapered my prednisone down to a reasonable level. Some of you may remember I was on 80 mg a day, now I am down to 30 with plans to be off of it by mid-december. Things are starting to normalize a bit more since I started to Humira injections. However, I have been a lot gassier and had more pressure in the past few weeks. A few times I go to the bathroom thinking I actually have to go and it turns out to just be gas. Ironically, even though I am not "going" to the bathroom 10+ times a day, I have been going to the bathroom or somewhere off side just to release gas and pressure build up.

I have also noticed that the smell is..different. As in, in the past, any gas passed had that regular smell but the smell from these is very different, very distinct. Its not "smelly" like I would imagine but it smells more like a chemical you know? I am assuming its probably a mixture of diet, medicine, and the condition itself.

Anyone have any kind of experience with this or advice as to how to better/reduce it? My GI told me yesterday its all normal but, idk, I still feel something is off about it.

Post Edited (MarsRover) : 10/30/2015 3:04:14 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/30/2015 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have any advice but I do sympathize. I've been having similar symptoms of feeling like I have to go and then it's all sound and furry signifying nothing. I attribute mine to an increase in fiber.

A chemical smell is interesting. I guess our GI tract with all it's helpful (and not so helpful) bacteria can make some more smells then we realize! Can you identify what kind of chemical smell it's closest to?
Posted 10/30/2015 9:27 PM (GMT 0)

TooManySteves said...
I don't have any advice but I do sympathize. I've been having similar symptoms of feeling like I have to go and then it's all sound and furry signifying nothing. I attribute mine to an increase in fiber.

A chemical smell is interesting. I guess our GI tract with all it's helpful (and not so helpful) bacteria can make some more smells then we realize! Can you identify what kind of chemical smell it's closest to?

Uh. I am not really sure how to describe it really. I hate being vague but I guess the best way to describe would be if you smelled it you wouldn't think of farting or passing gas, but more so wondering if someone was using chemicals or some kind of spray recently. Sorry I can't be more descriptive other than its just, a distinct type of odor. Thats what freaks me out a bit.

I mean thankfully its controlled (in the sense that I am not forced or its releasing on its own). Doctor had told me to take some probiotics, I am wondering if it is from that or, again from a mixture of that and just diet.
Posted 10/30/2015 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Perhaps try some probiotics if the smell is weird, maybe your gut flora is all messed up from the flare and all that prednisone. Bad bacteria are opportunistic and spread whenever they're able.

Increased gas is usually a sign of healing. It's annoying as heck, to run to the toilet just to fart. Next stage is being able to fart without worry of sharts. I'd hang in there, sounds like you're progressing in the right direction. Sorry, not much can be done about gas at least from my experience.
Posted 10/30/2015 10:06 PM (GMT 0)

iPoop said...
Perhaps try some probiotics if the smell is weird, maybe your gut flora is all messed up from the flare and all that prednisone. Bad bacteria are opportunistic and spread whenever they're able.

Increased gas is usually a sign of healing. It's annoying as heck, to run to the toilet just to fart. Next stage is being able to fart without worry of sharts. I'd hang in there, sounds like you're progressing in the right direction. Sorry, not much can be done about gas at least from my experience.

Started taking Pro-Biotics. Hopefully it should start to help soon. Thankfully there hasn't been any sharts or gas out of control but yeah, its super awkward thinking I have a massive BM coming just to have nothing but gas lol.

Eh, this beats two months ago when it was bloody uncontrollable D I suppose.

The human body is so ****ed up.
Posted 10/30/2015 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
If I recall correctly, mine smelled different when I was on steroids, especially steroid enemas gave a sort of chemical smell, but also when I was on oral steroids.
Posted 10/31/2015 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Ugh I'm having the same issue.

More regular but lots of gas. It's so embarrassing and upsetting
Posted 10/31/2015 2:35 AM (GMT 0)

RockerGirl said...
If I recall correctly, mine smelled different when I was on steroids, especially steroid enemas gave a sort of chemical smell, but also when I was on oral steroids.

Did it subside after a while? Any advice on how to minimize it?
Posted 10/31/2015 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
I went through a phase with Remicade where I was farting all the time and I would have described the smell as uncharacteristically "sweet smelling". I concluded that this was normal given the amount of drugs I am taking. Our bodies are no way near a place of homeostasis, and I think we should expect oddities like this.
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