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Flare or not?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/5/2019 10:28 AM (GMT -5)
Hope everyone is doing well. I have been in remission for over 2 years. I still had D and urgency issues until I started taking 2 tsp of Benefiber daily (started this about 4 months ago). The last 2 weeks I have had quite a bit of gas and will pass some mucous with it. I have seen a bit of blood (bright red so could be hemmies), mostly on the TP after a BM or a small amount with the mucous. I don't have urgency or D. This is so unlike any other flare I have ever had and I'm not sure if it's actually a flare or not. Thoughts?
Posted 3/5/2019 12:12 PM (GMT -5)
Always hard to tell. Do you have any hydrocort enemas left? You could always try them nightly for a couple weeks and see if that improves it. Guessing your reaction to lialda also happened with rowasa/mesalamine enemas?
Posted 3/5/2019 12:53 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks iPoop, was thinking the same thing about the enemas after I posted. It has been such a nice long break from them I didn't even think about using them. My rheumatologist advised that I should steer clear of all 5-ASAs. Logically I am pretty sure I am in a mild flare but that darn denial kicks in and I don't want to believe it.
Posted 3/5/2019 3:05 PM (GMT -5)
Do the enemas anyway....hemmies don't cause gas, but it doesn't mean you don't have that going as well. Or a fissure.

What is the shape and frequency of the stool?

If you can't see a connection to food addition, then assume it's very mild rectal inflammation.

q
Posted 3/5/2019 4:41 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Quincy, stool is formed, about twice per day. There was an exception last week where I think my entire colon emptied itself but I have been good since. I think it might be some rectal inflammation as well, my left side isn't sore which tends to happen when I am in a flare. No food that I can think of that would correlate. I did, however, quit smoking about a week ago so that may be a factor. I hate the UC guessing game! Going to try my trusty enemas for a few weeks and hopefully all will settle. Thanks for the response! Truly appreciate the support and sounding board!
Posted 3/5/2019 6:33 PM (GMT -5)
Quitting smoking can certainly play a role. Probably good idea to ramp up your treatment for a while.
Posted 3/6/2019 12:49 AM (GMT -5)
Seems possible regarding quitting smoking....congratulations!

Keep us updated on how you're doing once on the enemas.

q
Posted 3/6/2019 8:21 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks Q!
Posted 3/7/2019 12:34 AM (GMT -5)
😁
Posted 3/9/2019 12:23 PM (GMT -5)
My Dr mentioned years ago that benefiber can cause had and I found it to be true for me. I use Metamucil instead. Just a thought that it could be the cause of your gas.
Posted 3/9/2019 12:40 PM (GMT -5)
Unpopular opinion, but I don't think that bright red blood (being okay) vs. dark/tary blood (being a flare) distinction thing really applies to us. Blood gets tarry and dark when it gets digested (which happens in the small intestine). Our bleeding is usually toward the bottom of the colon where there is no digestion happening (at least initially)...So I think you could still have bright red blood indicating a flare. I'm in the same situation as you though holding onto my last bit of hope...
Posted 3/9/2019 12:42 PM (GMT -5)
Also this probably isn't the best time to quit smoking if you're on the border of flaring....
Posted 3/9/2019 2:17 PM (GMT -5)
I think your opinion is not unpopular smile I suppose the point is bright red blood could be caused by either hemorrhoids or colitis.
Posted 3/13/2019 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Quick update, finally heard back from GI and Rheumatologist. Going to give Rowasa a try as it is mostly topical with little systemic absorption. Have been using cort-enemas for the last week - although they are expired - flare is not getting worse and I see perhaps a slight improvement. Picking up the Rowasa today so we shall see, hope this does the trick. Over 2 weeks of not smoking! No intention of going back to smoking even if flaring. Thanks everyone for the advice and input! Greatly appreciated.
Posted 3/13/2019 11:58 AM (GMT -5)
Good to hear...hope refills are included. Keep us updated.

q
Posted 4/9/2019 12:07 PM (GMT -5)
Just thought I'd pop in with a quick update. The Rowasa is doing the trick! Took a little over a week but the blood and M finally subsided! Today is the 6 week anniversary of quitting smoking! Quick question for the experts, I am still doing the Rowasa and am getting the second month refilled today. How long should I stay on them? Should I taper off and if so, what tapering has worked for you? I can obviously ask my GI but I want your real life experience. I am sure my GI would have no issues giving me refills. I don't want to stop too soon or quickly and have a recurrence. Thanks so much, you guys are the best!
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