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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/17/2019 7:08 AM (GMT -8)
Hello all,

Those that have read my posts in the past know that I have a lot of anxiety surrounding UC and deciphering between real symptoms, anxiety, and just everyday variation in stool and digestion.

I have been in remission seen through biopsies and my last scope in July.

I have many moments of questioning if I am starting to have inflammation etc. It always turns out to be normal variation in stool, food intake, stress, etc.

Anyways, starting Friday after an admittedly poor day of eating on Thursday, I had more gas than normal. I was able to expel it but it was more. I had upper and lower gas. So burps and farts!

The next morning my bm seemed ok but the second half of it was fluffy looking and ragged. I also had stomach aches and cramps on and off throughout the day.

Today, I had a morning bm normally and after had some nausea (I have the end of a cold with just coughing mucous) and I have that feeling I will need to go again with a loose bm.

I’m wondering if I should up my enemas to nightly from every third night or do you think this is normal variation and anxiety talking and upping enemas will just reinforce the anxiety since there is no need?

Sorry, looking for opinions that are rational. Thanks
Posted 11/17/2019 7:20 AM (GMT -8)
Oh I hear you!
I think my symptoms a mild, but I don’t sorry about ragged bm’s. I used to not expel gas, so when I do I think of that as a bonus. I don’t think your symptoms, along with just having an illness, necessarily mean a flare. However, I’m now in the camp of if in doubt take the extra medication! I don’t think I would up my pentasa because as far as I know I might be at the highest dose, but I think I could double my suppositories if I felt like I needed to.

Of course the best answer is talk to your doctor, but I know (in my case) that’s easier said than done. I think UC patients need a team, and nurse support (like a hotline) when they need it.

How is your energy level?
Posted 11/17/2019 7:32 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks for the reply. My energy is same as usual. I have 3 young kids so... there you go. Oh, and I am a teacher !

I would not up my oral either but perhaps up my enemas. My concern with that is perpetuating the idea that I’m flaring when in fact I am not. This causing my anxiety to keep cycling. Bahhhh so much grey area.

Along with the fact that I think our bodies just change as we age and things we used to be able to eat react differently with age ...
Thanks again
Posted 11/17/2019 9:56 AM (GMT -8)
If symptoms don't improve in a few days it's probably a flare. Right now like normal dietary variation along with having a cold.
Posted 11/17/2019 2:12 PM (GMT -8)
Reaching out for reassurance feeds anxiety loops, too. It's pretty normal to have at least some anxiety over UC though. Hopefully it's nothing.
Posted 11/17/2019 3:15 PM (GMT -8)
For me if I notice increasing in mucus
( colored or foul smell) I know then it’s maybe a flare coming, passing blood pain and diarrhea confirms it.
Gas, soft stool, aches, bloating, I think these are normal, even healthy people experience these every once and awhile.
Posted 11/17/2019 3:47 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks everyone. Sara- you are completely right and I know this. Thanks for the reminder.

Today ended up ok. I’m starting to think my GERD is causing some issues lately and I’ll need to re start my PPI again.
Posted 11/17/2019 4:04 PM (GMT -8)
I only know because I myself love getting reassurance. Lol. smile Glad today was better.
Posted 11/17/2019 8:39 PM (GMT -8)
Sometimes I think getting sick with a cold or other virus can cause us to have a flare. If I were you I’d be doubling up on my probiotics and also increasing the meds just in case. Enemas are so helpful. Maybe you can start increasing to every other night first and see what happens before you do every night.
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