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Just what IS a flare-up of UC (or Chron's)?

Wed, February 25, 2009 9:40 PM

Hi all, I'm majorly frustrated by all my digestive problems, including alleged UC diagnosed in June (who knows, the way I feel it could be Chron's - all over). (I am a sufferer of GERD/reflux disease.)

I really want to know what a flare-up is. I had some major diarrhea problems back in May that led to the colonoscopy and diagnosis, but that was it. I haven't had any real diarrhea (or constipation, FTM) since.

The only thing that agonizes me almost daily is burning pain - moves around, but often is right side and left side, sort of the bottom of the rib cage on the flank. In fact, the VERY day of the colonoscopy - AFTER it - is when the burning started. Well, at least since I was pregnant.

Does this endless burning count as a flare? Or do we consider some abdominal pain as normal for UC (or Chron's, whatever, if that is what it really is)? Do you have to suffer tangible evidence such as diarrhea or (God forbid, worst case) vomiting?

ollinerebel
Joined Jul 6, 2008

Tue, March 03, 2009 9:31 PM

Reply posted for OlLineRebel.

I think you need to check out that burning pain with your GI. I've had UC for forty years. A flare-up is when I start bleeding and having diarrhea. I've gone for months without problems. Other times I'm flaring up constantly. But I've NEVER had any burning pain, just cramps.

je
Joined Dec 3, 2008

Mon, March 02, 2009 1:46 PM

Reply posted for OlLineRebel.

Hi there,

I have UC and my flares have included some, if not all, of the following symptoms:

Abdominal cramping, diarrhea (urgency), blood in the stool, fatigue, dehydration, loss of appetite, weightloss, tenesmus, nausea and occasional vomiting (when it gets really bad), aching joints, dizziness and heart palpitations (from the dehydration mostly).

I noticed that it usually starts with some cramping and the diarrhea follows shortly after that, along with the blood. Then I stop eating because injesting anything causes pain, which leads to the dehydration and weightloss and fatigue, etc.

moogan83
Joined Aug 12, 2008

Sat, February 28, 2009 8:29 PM

Reply posted for OlLineRebel.

I am not sure what a flare-up is either. I was diagnosed with UC (proctitis to be exact) 8 years ago after i showed blood in my stool and several tests to eliminate everything else. I still have a hard time thinking I have UC because I have none of the "symptoms" except blood in my stool.

Although I started bleeding again in August and differnt forms of stool discharge I had never experienced before. I then had several sharp pains on my left side just at the tip of my rib cage. (the lowest point of the rib) the pain was so bad the first time that I could not sleep. I thought it was stress (because I was in a jury for a murder trial) but then it happened again and again. Finally I went to my dr on Jan 5th. (The appt itself I was not impressed) I finally got to ask a question about the pain and he told me it was unrelated and walked out of the room.

Since then I have not had the pain again. Is it or isn't it. If it is not from UC, then what is it from?

cbruns
Joined Jan 26, 2009

Fri, February 27, 2009 1:00 AM

Reply posted for OlLineRebel.

I have Crohns, flare to me means realy bad headache, uncontollable and frequent diarreha, fever, and go to bed for two days tired, never had burning !

david morse
Joined Apr 8, 2008

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