What is a flare Up

Hi Forum,

I posted my question on the Crohn's forum but really no one answered my question. I want to see if I'm starting to have flare-ups which my GI has always warned me about that could happen. Since I really don't know what to expect I thought by asking would point me in the right direction. Here it is

for the past several weeks I had the following symptoms;

- little cramping below the belly button;
- one sharp pain around the upper left ab;
- one sharp pain below the belly button...hurt like crazy


When the above happened I was trying to figure what a flare up is since I never had one before. My GI always indicate to call him when a flare up happens (like he is waiting for this). However, today was really bad. After lunch my stomach started to feel awkward which I then ran to the bathroom and released BM which was half and half. My stomach was hurting like hell. My stomach did settle down after awhile and I went for a walk to get some air. During my walk my stomach started to cramp up really bad with pain all over which ran along my hips. I then went to the bathroom and this time it was like water but when I was done I felt like pushing but nothing came out.

Now there is little aches below my belly button, and around the upper ab.

I contacted my GI about all this which I can't get in to see him for 6 months. Also, I can't get in to see my family doctor for two weeks. The GI secretary suggested for me to go to the hospital.

Does any of this sounds like a flare up that my GI seems to waiting for.

Also, I had a colonscopy 4 months ago which everything came back clean.
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What do you guys think it is?

I don't have much pain with my flareups but I do get kinda of a feeling like there is a brick in my gut. I have urgency where I have to drop what I'm doing and get to the bathroom within 30 seconds. My BMs are pure liquid and become more frequent by the day. After about a week I start seeing blood and some mucous and have the urge to push even though there is nothing left. I loose weight very quickly and energy level goes down to a -10.

I think you need to find another GI.

Common symptoms of UC are urgency, diarrhea, and blood. Some people experience pain. It sounds like you are having urgency and diarrhea, which means you could be flaring, although not as severely as someone who is bleeding.

The only way to know for sure what's going on inside your colon though is to have a colonoscopy done. No one should have to wait six months to see a GI. That's ridiculous. You should find another GI.

I'm surprised the GI secretary suggested for you to go to the hospital and not to see another GI or give you an earlier appointment. I went to the emergency room during my second flare when I was having trouble finding a GI. All they did was give me an IV for my dehydration and then send me home with the advise to see a GI ASAP. They couldn't admit me, because I wasn't anemic enough. Of course, other hospitals may have different procedures. I haven't had the best experiences with hospitals.

It doesn't matter what your colonoscopy showed four months ago. If you are having a flare now, a colonscopy from four months ago won't show it.