Karen’s Severe Flare Story

I am 75 and diagnosed with UC in 2015 which I think was caused by months of antibiotics for infection after surgery.

Current Symptoms:

Bloody watery diarrhea with little stool,cramping,bloating and urgency. Awful fatigue and weakness and lightheadedness

Karen’s Story:

I am currently in a bad flare which has been going on for months. I am losing a lot of blood and watery stools. I would like to know if anyone experiences extreme weakness especially in legs during a flare. I take generic Lialda 2 per day but bump up to 4 during flare I just started taking L glutamine 2 days ago. 500mg capsule once a day. I am 75 and have moderate diverticulosis. I was diagnosed with UC in January of 2015 after experiencing bleeding. I had a colonoscopy which showed UC throughout the entire colon. Was put on Apriso but then changed to Lialda 2 pills once daily. It worked pretty well with some flares now and then and in January 2017 a colonoscopy showed no inflammation but that didn’t last. I have had had some pretty bad long lasting flares since then. Tried a 2 week course of prednisone last fall and dealt with awful side effects that lasted for months after stopping them. I am so weak and lightheaded right now during the current flare. My hemoglobin is good but my iron saturation is low because I’m not absorbing any nutrients. My doctor put me on 28 mg of gentle iron by Solgar. I find I get dizzy after taking it. If anyone takes iron how does it make you feel and how much do you take? I also started Renew Life probiotics which I’ve taken in the past. I am desperate to get the bleeding stopped as I have no energy and feel like my legs won’t hold me up. I would love to hear any suggestions from those who have gone through really bad flares. I have been miserable and tired of the urgency and bleeding.

Thanks for any help and suggestions you have.

Current Medications and supplements: Generic Lialda,L glutamine,Renew Life probiotic

written by Karen

submitted in the colitis venting area