It seems to be back...

Hi everyone,
It's been a while since I've been on here. I've been on Humira for 2 years now and it has been pretty amazing. I was on azathioprine up until recently. I stopped that back in October of last year so about 8 months ago.

Over this 2 year period I have had some bloating and gas but no mucus, blood, urgency. Solid BM's. I've had a few bouts of diarrea but nothing that hasn't resolved in a few days.

On the 19th this month, I went to the bathroom and only mucus came out...since then for the past 7 days I've only had diarrea, cramps and mucus... going 1-2 times a day for BM, always diarrea.

Today I am getting cramps, and wet farts (mucus). I have no urge to go to the bathroom even though I have the cramps, which is usually resolved after going for a BM.

My latest blood work and calprotectin only 2 months ago were great. Calpotectin showed no inflammation, so I don't understand what could have changed so quickly..


I feel like I'm back at square one after all this progress. The doc put me on 1g mesalazine suppositories on Friday but I'm seeing no benefit at all so far. In the morning I feel the urge to go but what pops out appears to be a mucus blob which is a a bit white due to the suppository.

Some days like today it's already 7:30pm and I havent had a bm, which I know would still be diarreah. The constant cramping today is new because I cant fix it by simply going to the bathroom.

I'm back on the "diet" route and feeling lost once again. I have followed a YouTuber for some time who apparently "cured" his IBD. I bought his protocol and diet plan out of desperation of not having to up any meds or start doing the liquid enemas again.

Funny thing is 1 month ago I had a holiday at a nice all inclusive hotel, ate loads, had some drinks and my goal was to get into shape and eat well after, no more candy, fizzy drinks, junk food. Just as I attempt that, I get this happening to me...

Is there anything new in the space that is working for anyone nowadays? Could this be IBS that is playing up (which I also have) or is that wishful thinking?

Any advice at all is appreciated.

Thank you,
1Wish.

I agree with poopydoop's suggestion: any time you have an abrupt worsening after a period of stability, you should have a stool test done for infectious causes, including c. diff. That should always be ruled out first.

Next, I would suggest blood tests to measure adalimumab levels and to check for antibodies.

It could be that you caught something parasitic at the hotel, even though it was "a nice, all-inclusive" one. Also, you should definitely cut out carbonated drinks and junk food. Excreting mucus repeatedly shows irritation if not inflammation so you still need to exercise caution with diet. Good move that you're consulting your doctor ASAP. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)

Calprotectin is most sensitive to rectal inflammation. It is less sensitive to inflammation higher up because it breaks down the further it travels. Rectal calprotectin has a shorter path to the toilet...You can have a calprotectin in the thousands and just a few cm of inflammation is it's in the rectum... or you can have a normal calprotectin if the inflammation is further back in the colon...