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a step backwards, ughh!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/23/2007 8:36 AM (GMT -8)
Since last Thursday things started getting better for me. I have had formed stools since then with minimal blood.

Yesterday afternoon I went to the rr and was surprised by the amount of blood that just appeared out of nowhere. There was more blood in the stool which wasn't very present the days before. I could still see blood but it wasn't that much. It was mainly noticable on the tp.

Anyway, I just had another bm and there was blood yet again. What is going on here I wonder? Getting better for a few days and then BAM more red blood.

Does this make sense to anyone? Could something I ate of triggered this again?
Posted 10/23/2007 8:46 AM (GMT -8)
Have you started tapering pred? Changed anything med wise?
Posted 10/23/2007 8:50 AM (GMT -8)
I just started tapering Pred today. From 40mg to 35mg. Those instructions were given to me from my dr, but the blood didn't start showing back up (worse) until after I talked to them. The blood actually came back before any med adjustments.
Posted 10/23/2007 8:53 AM (GMT -8)
When I was in the middle of a severe flare last year, I would get better, get worse, get better again...it was a rollercoaster for a couple months. (I was also on 40mg of prednisone at the time)  But overall, I got better.  Each increase in symptoms was a little less than the last time.  I used a daily log of everything to show myself that it wasn't as bad. 
Posted 10/23/2007 9:00 AM (GMT -8)

UCreallySUCKS said...
When I was in the middle of a severe flare last year, I would get better, get worse, get better again...it was a rollercoaster for a couple months. (I was also on 40mg of prednisone at the time) But overall, I got better. Each increase in symptoms was a little less than the last time. I used a daily log of everything to show myself that it wasn't as bad.

makes sense because that's what I'm sensing right now. I feel great actually other than the blood. I started working out again which I always have 5-6 days a week. I actually think this Prednisone makes me feel good, lol. High energy, good focus, decent mood and even a sense of well being. I just need this blood to stop!

I really appreciate everyones replies and help with my questions / concerns! yeah
Posted 10/23/2007 9:14 AM (GMT -8)
Whenever I have tapered pred. I always see a surge in symptoms for a few days while my body adjusts. I would keep an eye on it. Glad you are feeling good though!
Posted 10/23/2007 9:37 AM (GMT -8)
I am kind of in the same situation you are. I know I am better than I was two weeks ago overall, however, some days I have increased bm's and some days are less and some days I have more formed stools than others. I feel like I take 1 step ahead then 1/2 a step back every few days. I hope I am coming out of a severe flare. I was going 20 -30 times a day all diarreah and blood for two weeks straight unable to sleep horrible cramping, everything. Last night I only got up 1x around 4am for a bm (only 1x at night a few days this past week too) today I only had 2 bm's before leaving the house and 2 bm's at work and I think I will be okay until later tonite. So I am still going 5 to 10 times a day but with light blood semi formed small stools and only light cramping (not keel over nauseating cramping) this has been over the past week. I am still really scared that I will start to get worse again.
Posted 10/23/2007 10:29 AM (GMT -8)
Could be hemorrhoids. A large and/or firmer bowel movement than you're used to having can stir them up, causing a sudden increase in bright red blood - especially on the toilet paper.
Posted 10/23/2007 2:24 PM (GMT -8)
I agree with Princesa's assessment re bright red blood on t.p. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily; seem to be back in remission)
Posted 10/23/2007 2:46 PM (GMT -8)
Just FYI and so you know it is not unusual, I was doing TONS of two steps forward, two steps back (oftentimes, one forward, two back etc) during the very gradual improvement, over 2 years, from my first massive flares to my 9+ year, completely med-free remission. Granted, that remissiosn is ancient history and my best remissions nowadays last months and are not even completely pred-free anymore, but I just wanted to point out that it can happen.

To get into that long remission, I had to learn to ignore the pred tapering docs recommended and go much slower, and be prepared to bump back up to whatever level prevented bleeding, baring in mind that it takes a few days to a week or two for a smaller pred increase to kick in vs a big one that can kick in within a couple days (but, once you have burnt yourself out on high pred doses, you just don't want to do again). Not that I would recommend pred to anyone.... but I just happen to be intolerant of all 5ASAs so it was that or lose my colon years ago I guess. However, I did get that long, long remission and it was 100 percent med-free, nothing to sneeze at.
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