All-

4 weeks ago, I was on a business trip out of town for a week, and off my sleep schedule and diet routine (and stress levels). Was in what I would call a mild flare, that was slowly getting better, tapering Pred and was at 20mg for a week before leaving and doing just as well, especially with the Rowasa I had started a few weeks before (shout out once again to Quincy!).
Got a little worse while I was out of town, and as soon as I got back, got a sinus infection that alternated with a sore throat and a dry cough. Normally I would have taken a z-pac and called it a day but I've been trying to avoid that like the plague after the last time I tried it. So I've been back and sick now for 3 weeks, and slowly but surely getting worse- frequency, urgency, and amount of blood.
For the last 7-10 days, I've had some very intensive C- and let me describe it. It's a spasm from the colon, not a push like a non-UCer might describe C, and it's very intense, to the point I'm clenching my fists and grunting (and I'm not a grunter!), it's completely involuntary and once it starts there's no turning back, feels like I'm pushing out an elephant (borrowed that one from a thread I remember reading a while back), and 10 seconds later (it's not quick), I'll see anything from a few small soft bits to soft small stool, but nothing anyone would think of as coming out after that experience.
I don't think it's C, and I remember reading another post about someone being diagnosed with C when it didn't look or feel like it, been trying to find that one to see what happened.

When I went from 20-40 of Pred a few months ago, saw no difference, and same from coming back down from 40-20. so I don't think I'm dependent (or hit the level yet), nor do I want to bump the Pred up since I don't think it will make a difference. Tried different foods and liquids to no avail, and in different amounts, no difference. Still using the Rowasa but it's h-ll trying to keep it in (never had a problem until recently).

Seeing the GI Friday morning, but anyone have any thoughts on this before then? Don't need a stool softener; maybe some mineral oil, but don't think it has to do with that... muscle relaxer? I'm thinking the inflammation is bad enough, or different enough because of whatever infection I may have, that's causing my body to try and push everything out... is antibiotics the best bet here- don't feel like my throat/cough/sinuses are getting any better on their own.

Thanks for reading :)

Yes, it's rectal inflammation. The rectum holds back and that's why very little is coming out. Maybe you should add canasa to your regime, it's a mesalamine suppository that helps with rectal inflammation.

I'm glad i know know why I'm always straining. I learn a lot here :)