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Sudden, spontaneous flare - stomach bug?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/10/2018 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone, is this a stomach bug, flare, or a stomach bug that turned into a flare?

I was in perfect remission for months - regular, normal, perfectly formed stools once a day like clockwork. 5 nights ago I all of a sudden I developed super painful stomach cramps in the middle of the night - felt like food poisoning or a stomach bug brewing. My colitis is very isolated to the bottom of my colon but this cramping was much higher up like in my stomach, then moving throughout my system. I blamed it on some expired hummus I had consumed a few hours before bed and figured it would pass. Weird cramps persisted over a couple of days, just felt like gas pains. Wasn't until day 3 of cramping that I got diarrhea and by day 4 - diarrhea with globs of blood. On day 5 now, laid up in bed, bloody diarrhea continues.
I'm so disappointed I was on such a good run of being symptom free, religious about my meds, etc. Then bam. I'm very confused because I've never had a flare show up like this before. It's usually a gradual build of mucus and blood but formed bm's, then as the inflammation gets worst the diarrhea comes.

Anyway, I know I should get a stool test done to rule out infection. In the meantime just wanted to know if anyone has experiences with this weird flare symptoms/stomach bug symptoms cross over? I don't know what is going on..
Posted 11/10/2018 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
It could be one or the other, or a bug triggered a flare up. I have had that happen before. Do go get a stool test done. If you are feeling really crummy get yourself to a hospital and perhaps they can do a culture for you there. If your doc has a call in number or online contact you could try that too. Sorry you are feeling so poorly.
Posted 11/11/2018 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
I agree, there's no way to know. I would get a stool test and a calprotectin to see if the # is high. I have had flare ups come on quickly like that, but it could be something else. Hopefully things start to improve in the next few days... Are you using rectal meds? Maybe try doubling up on them to see if it helps.
Posted 12/4/2018 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
What is calprotectin and how do you test for that? Blood test?
Got stool tests done a few weeks ago and nothing was found in terms of infection or parasites. Figured whatever was going on would just pass with my usual meds 5 ASA meds (3 tablets morning and evening, 4g enema every evening). But I'm still having 2-3 soft bm's every morning and some evenings. Been like this for a month now but no other flare symptoms (no blood, mucus). Usually my main flare symptoms are blood and mucus, but relatively formed stools. So this is just a weird flare for me, still trying to figure it out. I actually feel good and have been carrying on with work, working out, eating well, but my weight is dropping so I'd like to stop pooping so much. Don't want to waste away..
Posted 12/4/2018 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
What are you eating/drinking daily? Supplements?

Any new meds or period issues?

q
Posted 12/4/2018 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I stick to the IBD-AID diet about 90%, have been on it for years with good effects and haven't changed anything.
Supplements - vitamin D and fish oil - also been on for a long time, hasn't changed. Also didn't miss a single dose of meds before this flare, was not stressed, was working out, spending time hiking outdoors. I don't have a good theory for what brought this on, other than some expired hummus I ate one night. I had 1-2 days of some minor blood and mucus, but that resolved quickly. Diarrhea remains.
My period this month was a week late, very rare for me. I almost thought I was pregnant and perhaps my hormones were causing this diarrhea? But when I arrived I switched my theory to thinking my diarrhea caused it to be late.
Posted 12/4/2018 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Food poisoning triggered my current flare and my previous meds might as well be candy. My previous flare symptoms had always started out pretty low key, and I could knock them back by hitting the Rowasa, but the post food poisoning flare felt like it came on mid-way into my pre-diagnosis symptoms. Did your recent stool tests check calprotectin? Or were they just for infectious causes (which seems weird)?
Posted 12/4/2018 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
I suggest you stop the fish oil for now....softens stool.

Add a fibre supplement with meals.

Get on a good probiotic.

Hormones can cause upset, and you could be pregnant even with a period....maybe consider a test?

q
Posted 12/4/2018 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Celeriac, ya that's what my flare seems like too. I don't know about calprotectin, they just said stool tests came out fine, no details. I should call and ask about that specifically.
Posted 12/4/2018 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy, thanks for the advice. Did a pregnancy test when I was late and it was negative. Then I got my period so I believe I'm in the clear on that end.
Posted 12/4/2018 4:35 PM (GMT 0)

MariaMaria said...
What is calprotectin and how do you test for that? Blood test?Calprotectin is a stool (fecal) test that is used to detect inflammation in the intestines.

There's a few different inflammation tests they can do for us:

1.) Calprotectin is a stool (fecal) test that is used to detect inflammation in the intestines. You turn in a poop sample and they can tell how much inflammation you have.

2.) Alternatively, you can get a C-reactive protein blood test. The level of C-reactive protein (CRP), which can be measured in your blood, increases when there's inflammation in your body. CRP is body-wide inflammation.

3.) Alternatively, you can have endoscopy like a colonoscopy or flexible-sigmoidoscopy. This is the most accurate method, like having 20/20 vision on the problem. It's also a figurative and literal pain in the ass.

Order of accuracy is endoscopy is best, FCP is second, and CRP is last in accuracy. As an FYI: FCP and CRP aren't the best at measuring very small and limited areas of mild inflammation (can return normal).
Posted 12/4/2018 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi iPoop, thanks for the breakdown! I had a colonoscopy in August and had 0% inflammation. Actually have the picture of my colon as my desktop screensaver because it looked so perfect, my doc and I were both very impressed. Doc said my biopsies were all good at that time too. I'm eager to know what's changed between then and now, but really want to do another colonoscopy again so soon. I will inquire about FCP and see if that can tell me anything...
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