hypochondriac or falling apart?

So... I've been in an off-and-on flare for many months now. I had the flu (I think?) for three days last week, and it was more or less gone over the weekend, except I would still get feverish and "rushes" in my head why I laid down. For about the same amount of time, I feel like I've been having an irregular heartbeat whenever I lie down, but only if I lie on my side. In addition to that, I've had some vague pain below my ribcage, sort of in the liver/transverse colon area. It only hurts if you press down on it, but it's been like that a few days. At first I thought it was just gas of course, but gas doesn't stay in the same spot for three days, although it could be coincidence.

A couple days ago I also got a urinary tract infection, which I've been trying to get rid of on my own The UTI was caused (I'm 90% sure) by my 5ASA suppositories, which have the pleasant side effect of leaking. (Yuck, I know). I haven't taken them in a couple days, and won't until the UTI clears up.

Anyway, so I thought I was over the flu, and last night I get a sore throat, and start sneezing and coughing. Great, I think, I just get over my flu, and I get a cold as an encore.

Finally, when I woke up this morning and look in the mirror, I notice that my eyes are all puffy and swollen. When I go to take my morning shot of aloe, my neck hurts! I touch it... swollen lymph nodes! What next??? I guess it could be follicular hyperplasia (according to Wikipedia) since I have an autoimmune disease.

All these problems seem to be relatively minor concerns, but I don't know for sure... I've never had swollen lymph nodes before, so I don't know how bad it is. Is any of this worth seeing a doctor about?

Also, has anyone else had experience with leaking suppositories, and might have some sort of trick to prevent it?


I just feel like one big infection right now. :(

The flu is respiratory....not gastro. So, if you're thinking that you have something gastro..I'd more assume it's UC related.

You should really be on the retention enemas rather than the suppositories...especially since you're in a continual flare. As well, an oral 5ASA should be considered..

Definitely get to your doctor, have a throat swab done, check to see if your tonsils are swollen and if you have an infection, get on antibiotics.

It's not unusual for some of us to basically feel like we're falling apart...and it's easy to pick up things when our system is already stressed.

Tell your doctor your liver area is continually painful...you should have liver enzyme blood tests done to make sure nothing else is going on with your liver.

Keep us posted as to what's going on.

Hang tough, the ride can definitely get bumpy...but do deal with the fact that you're not on enough UC meds to deal with the UC aspect of how you're doing. Continual inflammation is taxing on the body.

quincy