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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/5/2007 11:14 AM (GMT -6)
Should I take it or not? haha. I don't really know if it's sensible to take something like that for things that are supposed to be once in a while problems... when UC is almost every day. I just think I'm having a huge flare up today because I haven't been able to get out of the bathroom. Anywhere from hard pebble like bowelmovements to total liquid bms to long soft bms. Blood too. I feel like puking and I don't know if that's because I'm straining so hard... or what. I feel like i'm on fire also.. but no fever. I called in to work because right now there's just no way this is gonna stop in time and i just feel awful. So should I take pepto...do you think it would be pointless as it's not JUST an upset stomach... like most people have every once in a while.. its my UC.
Posted 10/5/2007 12:20 PM (GMT -6)
I'd put in a call to your GI's nurse before I'd take anything over the counter as bad as you're feeling. You sure don't want to do anything that would make a bad situation worse... better to err on the side of caution. And make sure you're replenishing with plenty of fluids so you don't get dehydrated. Hope you feel better soon!
Posted 10/5/2007 12:37 PM (GMT -6)
I've taken Pepto on occasion for upset stomach but it normally doesn't even touch my D. But I agree that you should call your GI and try to get this flare under control. What meds are you on?
Posted 10/5/2007 12:43 PM (GMT -6)
im only on colazal and i dont think it helps me much.. im tryin not to go back to the dr till im on my future hubby's insurance.. we're getting married in a week.

Anyways.. right now im just feeling exhausted and weak from being in the bathroom so much... maybe i should drink something cuz the above person said you get dehydrated...maybe thats how im feelin right now. Anyways.. thanks guys for the help.
Posted 10/5/2007 1:04 PM (GMT -6)
Is there a way anyway to call your GI to have him/her prescribe you rectal meds? It would sure stink to be having to run to the bathroom constantly are your wedding! Congrats btw! Definately drink a lot fluids during this time, dehydration can send you to hospital if you're not careful. Also too many on here have had success with probiotics and/or fiber supplements. Probiotics take time to work but the fiber supplement might bulk your stool up so you won't be running to the bathroom constantly. Also please keep an eye on your fatigue, you might be becoming anemic from the blood loss. Which is why I think you should call your doc anyway. Anemia, like dehydration, can be quite dangerous.
Posted 10/5/2007 1:11 PM (GMT -6)
Ah I know I'm anemic.. blood tests have been revealing that for a while now. I drank somethin and feel a bit better. The whole fiasco right now is that I just moved to perry, ga to be with my fiance.. we just bought a house. My old GI is in atlanta, which is two hours away. She told me that the next step after colazal is steroids, which I was like... not gonna happen before my wedding sorry. I have since heard way more options on here and it makes me skeptical about her being a good UC dr. I think I might just try to find one down here after I'm on my fiance's insurance. But I might just call this old GI and see who she recommends down here or see what she says about whats goin on period.
Posted 10/5/2007 6:26 PM (GMT -6)
When I'm dehydrated I feel REALLY warm! It's one of the "symptoms" I use to dx my dehydration.

I tried Dramamine (regular not the non drowsy) for nausea the other day. It seemed to work. I tried it on a day when I wasn't horribly nauseous though - didn't have it the other days.

Iron supplements can constipate a person.

I don't think pepto will do anything but give you funny colored stools. Maybe it's good for entertainment value? Hmm, let's see, what color will it be this time????

If you started the pred now, you shouldn't have any side effects within the week - except for superhuman energy! Being sick for your wedding will make the day memorable in the WRONG way.

Congrats - and I hope you feel better soon! Keep us posted.
Posted 10/5/2007 9:09 PM (GMT -6)
yeah but if i start pred now.. i might not have it within the week, but what about my honeymoon? i dunno.. there's GOT to be some way of fixing it before then withOUT steroids.
Posted 10/5/2007 9:37 PM (GMT -6)
What about a fiber supplement? Maybe Fibercon or Benefiber? To help bulk up the stool... I think they are both soluble fiber.

Tylenol for any pain. Might also slow things down a bit.

Perhaps a probiotic?

Maybe just call the GI's office to see what they recommend. Make sure to tell them you don't want to do pred. Perhaps steroid enemas? With the enema you absorb so much less of the steroid. Those are never fun, but they get the meds right to the source of the problem.
Posted 10/6/2007 9:23 AM (GMT -6)
Speaking from experience, a low dose pred taper may be exactly what you need. In most cases, pred will help you feel much better very quickly. If I had a wedding and honeymoon coming up, it's the option I'd go for. If you're started at a moderate dose and immediately taper within a week, side effects should be minimized, if not totally eliminated.

I recently took a trip with my hubby for our first anniversary. I was pretty miserable the whole time we were gone. I had a c-scope and was started on pred (40 mg) the week after we returned from our trip. A day or two after starting the pred, I felt much, much better... like a switch had been flipped. Sure made me wish I'd started it before the trip.

Pred has it's scary side effects and you certainly don't want to be on high doses for long periods of time, but under the circumstances - wedding and honeymoon looming - it's hard to beat pred for how quickly it can get symptoms under control. I urge you to at least talk to your doc about it.
Posted 10/7/2007 7:52 AM (GMT -6)
Dear sweet with the wedding a week away some of what was suggested above are really very good suggestions. I hope you try something that will give you that burst you need to be able to enjoy your wedding day and honeymoon. Definitely need something to quiet the BMs down.

Best of Luck and congratulations.
Posted 10/7/2007 8:46 AM (GMT -6)
I love Pepto Bismal!!!  And a doctor I saw from the Cleveland Clinic recommended it (up to four times a day even).  He said it's perfectly safe to take every day, even long term.  I'm feeling fine now, being on Lialda and tapering Entocort; BUT Pepto is my security blanket.  If my stomach is making noise in the morning, I just take a swig and immediately feel better.  I've also taken along a big bottle on vacations, just to know that I can walk around without being constantly worried about having an accident in public.  Yes, it turns your stool dark, almost black, but it should help with the diarrhea and that's what we all want, isn't it??!! 

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