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Posted 10/22/2007 12:35 PM (GMT -6)
Hi can coffee or caffeinated products cause a flare?
Asacol 2 pills 3 times per day
Hydrocortisone Enema sometimes

Posted 10/22/2007 12:39 PM (GMT -6)
I've never heard that they can cause a flare, though it's thought that many things can.  When it comes to coffee and UC, I simply use it every morning to get things moving a little quicker so I can have a majority of the day symptom free...much of the time anyways.
---Nathan---  31 yr old male
Diagnosed May 2006 w/severe UC
Currently in mild/moderate flare
2 400mg Asacol 4X day
20 mg Prednisone
1 multivitamin/day
2 grams calcium/day
75mg Imuran/day
100mg Tramadol/day for abdominal pain (as needed)
1 Fioricet ever 4 hrs as needed for severe migraines

Posted 10/22/2007 12:39 PM (GMT -6)
NO...it's a digestive stimulant...and if you have any stool in the lower part of your colon, it'll stimulate a bm.

I'm in the camp that food doesn't cause flares, proven time and time again....and I drink coffee daily. However, if I'm in a flare I'll choose how much coffee I drink based on if it causes my gut to be too active and where I am at the time I'm drinking it.

quincy
*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 4th night)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)
~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed
~vitamins/minerals 
~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime
~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper
~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg;  Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)
~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)
My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS"  worth it !!!

Posted 10/22/2007 3:01 PM (GMT -6)
caffeine can increase D however I doubt it could "cause" a flare.
Prednisone 10mg (1.5) tabs twice per day= 30mg per day

Asacol 400mg (3) tabs twice per day= 2400mg per day

started both meds on Thursday 10-4-2007

10-22-07- coming out of about an 8 week flare (my first one ever)

Posted 10/22/2007 3:20 PM (GMT -6)
I am in Quincy's camp, too. I don't believe that food or drink causes a flare, but I do believe that it can aggravate your symptoms while in a flare. Coffee is something I drink every day... but I don't dare touch it while in a flare. It will send me right to the bathroom. If I am constipated, though, it can get things moving again.
Current Medications:
- Asacol (4 pills, 2x per day)
- Rowasa (1 enema daily, as needed)
- Folic Acid (1 mg, 1x per day)
- Calcium (600 mg, 2x per day)
- Prenatal Vitamin (1x per day)

Posted 10/22/2007 4:38 PM (GMT -6)
I dont know coffee (or any food for that matter) will cause I flare but if you like it but it makes you sick I know folgers makes a coffee for sensitive stomachs.

Sam

18 years old

Diganosed in Sept 2004
Currently taking 12 asacol, immodium occasionally, 25mg Elavil and Ortho Lo

Remission since April 2006

"If you dont like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude"

Maya Angelou

Posted 10/23/2007 5:33 PM (GMT -6)
I suffered a flare after indulging in one "einspanner"-- double expresso Viennese roast, with whipped cream. Never again-- though it is delicious! / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 10/23/2007 6:17 PM (GMT -6)
My Gi requested that I only drink 1 cup of coffee a day and really limit carbonated beverages. I've found that when I am flaring any pop causes extreme gas and pain.
  • LINDA
         
Prescriptions: Lialda (on a study) asacol, hycosamine, protonix, synthroid, zyrtec, avalide, nasocort, Miacalcin spray and Trazadone for sleep.
OTCs:  Usana multivitamins and multiminerals, Usana Procosa, Usana Mega Antioxidants, Omega 3, Vit. E,  Healthy trinity probiotics, Calcium Citrate

Posted 10/24/2007 4:44 PM (GMT -6)
Probably a coincidence, but the evening before my first flare happened I drank several cups of coffee (decaf.) I rarely drank coffee. Haven't touched the stuff since.
Dx Left-sided UC Dec. 2006
Currently:
Azathioprine (Imuran) 125mg/day
Prednisone 2.5mg/day (trying to taper-started at 60 6/1)
Lialda 4/day
Multivitamin, B complex vit., fish oil, calcium, fiber supplement, probiotic

Posted 10/24/2007 4:48 PM (GMT -6)
I am a coffee addict. I have never had a problem with coffee and uc. It does cause my bms to come quicker (which i will use to my advantage some times). I did give coffee up for over a year and it was a horrible year!!! The only thing any Gi has tole me about my large coffee drinking is that its bad for my stomach, not my colon. and that's just quantity (i've cut back alot in the past few years)
Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, 15 mg pred. until immuran kicks in...
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---bumped to 100mg 10/8/07
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

Posted 10/25/2007 10:26 AM (GMT -6)
coffee.......ah, I almost want to get an ice venti non-fat caramel macchiato this weekend but know that I will regret it!!! It is super delicious!

For me, it kicks up my bm's and can bother my stomach (I think the acidity) if I start to drink it regularly (any kind of coffee), I don't need or want the extra bm's so I stay away for a long time then I start to have it again and bam, back on the can all day.

I have stopped all caffeine, it just makes me go! That is what I do not need when flaring, especially!
Beth, 32
UC Diagnosed March 2000
Imuran 100mg 1xday;Remicade tests pending;Hydrocortisone enemas 1xday;Calcium and Vit D 500mg 3xday, Multi Vit, Folic Acid 400mg 2xday, Potassium 600mg 1xday, Probiotics.
Minimal Change Disease (Kidney Disorder) Diagnosed Sept 2007
Prednisone 60mg 1xday, Simvastatin 20mg 1xday, Diovan 80mg 1xday. Fosomax 70mg 1xweek. MCD may be from hypersensitivty to 5ASA drugs.

Posted 10/25/2007 1:28 PM (GMT -6)
Weird to read all these responses about coffee. I'm in my third flare ever. Each time I flared up was after times where I was drinking large amounts of caffeine (sodas or coffee). My current flare started almost immediately after a few triple shot lattes I had. (And I had NO flare ups for almost 9 years...)
Posted 11/2/2007 1:50 AM (GMT -6)
Coffee - no. Coffee can stimulate a BM, but doesn't directly cause a flare as others have mentioned above.

For your information, check out this link (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&list_uids=2719009&cmd=Retrieve)

This study had a massive base of over 300000 people and in that, no statistical connection between coffee intake and onset of colitis could be found.
Posted 11/2/2007 12:34 PM (GMT -6)
For me caffeine and related products give me lots of gas and then lead to UC symptoms...so yep, for me coffee causes a flare.
2400 mg Asacol + 500mg suppositories as needed
Acidophilus
No Stress and a positive attitude (mostly!)
 
My colon appears to be acting somewhat normal (ssssshhhhh...don't jinx it)
 
 
 
 
 

Posted 11/2/2007 1:13 PM (GMT -6)
Well, in the hospital because of UC, dietry gave me caffenated coffee every morning along with my breakfast. So I'm guessing it's okay to drink.
Posted 11/2/2007 1:19 PM (GMT -6)
I like my coffee decaf - preferably decaf iced latte with some flavor. Yum!
I try to stay away from soda - the gas it gives me is awful :( It's hard here because when we go out to eat, the water tastes super cholrinated (sp?) and I order soda. I've been trying iced tea, which is better - no bubbles, but it's usually caffinated - and I like my decaf... Like others have said - caffine speeds up the GI tract.
Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003
 
Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed
Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray
Forvia and a Probiotic
 
Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.
 
Co-Mod for the UC forum
Keep HealingWell running smoothly:  www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 11/2/2007 4:51 PM (GMT -6)
I don't really think coffee can cause a flare (although it seems others in this thread have had flares caused by it, which makes me wonder...). I drink a cup or two every morning, but didn't drink any when I was flaring badly, because I thought it might exacerbate my symptoms. about a month prior to getting UC, I had just started a new job and was drinking lots of coffee daily...more than I had ever drank in the past - probably around 4-6 cups/day.
23 years old
Diagnosed with UC March 2007
Current inflamation in the rectum
Asacol 4 tablets 3x/day
Rowasa (generic) - every other night
Nature's Way Primadophilus Reuteri 1/day; Chewable multivitamin; Metamucil and Fiber Choice; Viactiv (Calcium and Vit. D) for Osteopenia; ground flaxseed

Posted 11/2/2007 11:27 PM (GMT -6)
The three times (out of three, including now) I have flared up have all followed large (larger then normal) intakes of caffeine (Coca Cola, or Coffee) . I don't believe it's a coincidence, for me.
Current Prescriptions:
 
40 mg Prednisone per day, 1 x per day
1000 mg Sulfasalazine, 4x per day
1 Mesalamine Enema per day

Posted 11/3/2007 3:36 AM (GMT -6)
It takes a while to differentiate flare symptoms and food symptoms. A flare isn't a one day thing.
*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 4th night)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)
~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed
~vitamins/minerals 
~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime
~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper
~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg;  Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)
~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)
My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS"  worth it !!!

Posted 11/3/2007 8:47 AM (GMT -6)
Well anytime I get blood and gas I'm assuming that means my immune system is beating up on my poor old colon. For me that's a flare and its definitely induced by exposure to caffeine products. That's just me though!
2400 mg Asacol + 500mg suppositories as needed
Acidophilus
No Stress and a positive attitude (mostly!)
 
My colon appears to be acting somewhat normal (ssssshhhhh...don't jinx it)
 
 
 
 
 

Posted 11/3/2007 11:32 AM (GMT -6)
If you are bleeding that easily...you're not on enough meds. If your colon is still in that fragile of a state...you're still flaring.

Also, maybe consider to change your probiotic .... one geared more for IBDers.

Try not to focus on the food issue...try to get a rectal retention enema....it's available in the UK. The suppositories aren't enough.

Caffeine products will increase the activity of a colon. Add that to an already inflamed colon and your symptoms (which already exist) will be increased.

My take on it.

quincy
*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 4th night)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)
~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed
~vitamins/minerals 
~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime
~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper
~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg;  Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)
~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)
My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS"  worth it !!!

Posted 11/3/2007 11:43 AM (GMT -6)
Nope I'm fine now. I've avoided caffeine and soda for a few weeks and no blood or any problems. If I go on caffeine or soda I get blood and gas. For me quincy, food and stress cause flares. Bottom line
1600 mg Asacol + 500mg suppositories as needed
Acidophilus
No Stress and a positive attitude (mostly!)
 
My colon appears to be acting somewhat normal (ssssshhhhh...don't jinx it)
 
 
 
 
 

Posted 11/3/2007 11:53 AM (GMT -6)
Are you still on any rectal meds even for maintenance?

q
*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 4th night)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)
~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed
~vitamins/minerals 
~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime
~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper
~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg;  Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)
~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)
My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS"  worth it !!!

Posted 11/3/2007 11:57 AM (GMT -6)
Quincy the rectal meds are awesome...the rectal meds got me out of my mini flare...not Pred...u were right...i take one suppository a night...500 ml...its not the nicest thing to have to do but the rectal meds have gotten rid of all that inflamed feeling in my rectum and helped keep everything in check
1600 mg Asacol + 500mg suppositories as needed
Acidophilus
No Stress and a positive attitude (mostly!)
 
My colon appears to be acting somewhat normal (ssssshhhhh...don't jinx it)
 
 
 
 
 

Posted 11/3/2007 12:04 PM (GMT -6)
My perspective..you're still "fragile". You're on a low dosage of Asacol as well....even 6 daily would be better than only 4. You have pancolitis..right?

My take on it is this....you sould be able to drink coffee if you had no problems with it before. Soda....is what you drink diet or the normal?

q
*Heather*Status:mini flare June 23* 6asacol daily+ Salofalk (tapered every 4th night)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~5ASA: Asacol + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)
~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed
~vitamins/minerals 
~Probiotic 2 (Natural Factors Protec) + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) at bedtime
~Natural Factors Multi Digestive Enzymes with supper
~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg;  Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)
~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)
My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS"  worth it !!!

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