Let's face it... nobody enjoys having IBD. It hit me like a brick wall. I found I had to plan my whole day around where the closest bathroom was. When a Gastroenterologist told me what I had, that I had the genetic marker for it & would have it for the rest of my life, I couldn't believe this was happening. But I took my asacol faithfully, was relieved of a majority of the symptoms, and could live fine with that. I also had unrelated chronic joint pain and was on a maintenance dose of an NSAID called Nabumetone. I had to stop this last drug 3 months ago for a variety of reasons, but as soon as I did, the IBD vanished. Upon checking the pharmeceutical effects of the drug, the manufacturer warned of possible severe intestinal irritation. I got irritated that my doctor didn't make the connection. It would be a wonderful world if doctors knew everything & were perfect, but it just isn't so. Educate yourself about your conditions and your medications to supplement the doctor's advice. Your doctor could be missing something.
I believe that I have been in a flare over the past week or so. I have had headaches, gumaches, cramping and ph so much diarrhea. It seems that I cannot keep anything down. I am sleeping more than usual.
I was diagnosed perhaps 5 years ago. Are there new medicines which can really help and which do not have unmanageable side effects?
I thought is was the flu. Now, I think it's a flare because it lessened up, then returned. I have spent the day in bed, and in the bathroom.
The main drug used is asacol, which doesn't have any side effects because it isn't absorbed into your body... it's a "topical" treatment for the lining of your intestines. It was very effective for me, but takes about a week to completely bring the diarrhea under control. There is a drug called dicyclomine that will stop the cramping within 30 minutes & is great for immediate relief, but it is a powerful drug that can have side effects. Ask your doctor about it.
Thanks much for your response. I will print this out. I feel a bit better this afternoon. I would like to be prepred for the next flair and this should help! I had heard about the former, but not the latter.