Colitis flare up - need some advice - Bowel Disorders Message Board

mikerugged · 09-27-2005, 05:27 PM

Hello everyone,

I was diagnoised with UC over a year ago and have not had to many attacks since I began my medication. (Asacol every 8 hours). However, for the last few days I have been expericeing bloody dirreah and some adominal cramping. It is not nearly as serve as it used to be, but what worries me most is the bleeding. The bleeding itself is not extremly serve, but its still there. Is this something that I need to go to my doc about right away? OR is this just a flare up and should I see what happens for a few days? This is really the first time I've had a signifigant re-occurance since I was diagonised, so any help or advice would be very very helpful. Im just very nervous about this whole thing....as you know, its not easy to live with...

Thanks guys.......

--mikerugged

SRMom · 09-27-2005, 06:53 PM

Hi mike:

I think bloody diarrhea is common with UC flareups, but if it is bothering you, I'd call your doctor's office...maybe you can talk to him/her or a nurse that can tell you if you should come in for a checkup. Try not to worry, that always makes it worse. Sorry you are going through this. Take care.

mikerugged · 10-01-2005, 01:58 PM

SRMOM,

Thanks for the reply. I talked with my doc, and he has increased my meds to 9 Asocol pills daily, and 1 casana daily. Said to try this for 7-10 days. However, he seemed concerned and stated that if this did not work, that I should begin steriod treatment. That is something I am not looking forward to, as we all know the horrible side effects that are associated with it. Oh well, just wanted to give everyone an update. Thanks again

--mikerugged

inhisname · 10-01-2005, 06:03 PM

My last flare up I let go and did nothing -- big mistake ended up on prednisone for 60 days! Horrible- made my heart pound-kept me up at night-next time i start having diarrhea with blood in it ill be on the phone to the Dr the same day!

quincy · 10-02-2005, 09:19 AM

Hi....Mike, where in the colon is your UC (how far up)? Wow, from Canasa to pred????? Your doc has a few other options. I'd avoid the pred as long as possible (never been on it, and had UC for over 16 years).

I don't think the Canasa will help you much, you could consider asking the doc for Rowasa (or Salofalk if you're in Canada) retention enemas. The will go up into and treat as high as the sigmoid.

Both end treatment....you haven't even run the 5ASA route.

Remember....you have choices as well...pred isn't the be all and END all of UC.

Learn about the meds and how to use them properly. There's a system to the "madness" of UC.....5ASA can take a while to get it all under control...then one can taper the enemas using symptoms as the guide.

As well....5ASA is a preventative to keep inflammation down. My UC has never been as bad as when I was diagnosed...and I haven't bled in over 13 years with a flare because I have learned how to use my meds properly.

Hang tough...but 5ASA is really one of the best meds out there.

quincy