How long does an Ulcerative Colitis flareup last?

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Billbo

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I have Ulcerative Colitis and have been in a flare for about six months now. My doctor has changed medications twice and nothing seems to be working. Does anyone know how long a typical UC flare will last for? Other than medication, is there anything I can do to shorten the duration?
 
I was in a situation like that... a flare that just didn't want to end. Landed me in the ER, from there to the hospital (again). To make matters worse, at the time the docs couldn't decide if I had UC, CC or CD (or a rare combo of them all). I eventually wound up in a ward with other patients who were long timers when it came to IBD (one fellow was there for his 2nd or 3rd resection). Anyway, nothing was working to stop the flaring/bleeding, and I was getting ... well, scared for one... pissed off because the "EXPERTS" didn't seem able to do anything, when a couple of the veterans told me that if I started smoking, it would stop. I didn't believe them at first. They said to ask the next doctor I saw. I did. He said no, but something about the way he said it made me .. I dunno.. suspicious. So, I kept asking every doc, intern, out-turn, resident, GI, GP or other doctor I ran into the same question. One doctor reluctantly admitted that smoking was the 'old' cure for UC. Then a 2nd, equally reluctantly, confirmed that. It is not something doctors will admit, talk about, discuss, etc., unless they're pressured. So, to make a long story short, I got my hands on some cigarettes, and within 24 hours my uncontrolled bleeding slowed to a trickle, and stopped altogether within 48 hours. No bull. Now, heres the catch. If your UC should turn out to be CC or CD, then smoking CAN affect whether your meds will work. Smoking can actually make those forms of IBD a lot worse. Go figure. Anyway, fast forward... I go on LDN, my Crohns comes under control, stays that way for a year, and I figure... OK, this would be a great time to quit smoking. My GI thought it was worth a try, and the plan involved nicotine replacement therapy, (which is what the docs thought was the part of smoking that kept UC bleeds under control).. I went to see specialists at Smoking Cessation clinics, and they were very guarded about the outcome of this little experiment. Within 6 weeks of quitting, the bleeding started again. I became enemic, and that took nearly a year to set right. Again, within 24 hours of resuming smoking, the bleeding abruptly stopped. End of story.

Tobacco is poison. It will kill. But, in the overall scheme of things, many IBD meds may do the very same. My take on fighting whichever form of IBD a person has remains the same... you find something that works, stick with it, worry about the consequences IF or WHEN they arise. As 'patients' (I don't like to think of myself or anyone else with this illness a 'victim') I don't think ANYONE should expect us to 'cure ourselves' or defend the choices that we make (many of which are forced upon us) until that glorious day when the "EXPERTS" find a cure.
 
So Kev,

What is your current Dx? Are you still smoking? And what do you smoke?

The second time that I ended up in the hospital for uncontrolled bleeding in my colon resulted in an ileostomy. I took ALL the drugs and nothing was working. I wonder if smoking would have helped?
 
As far as I'm aware there is much debate about what exactly it is about smoking that helps. Some believe it's the cobon monoxide, which obviosuly can't be replicated (I've heard they're trying to make an artificial version of it though). You'd have to smoke to get that into your system, which no one is going to reccommend for obvious reasons but it's a personal choice. But for others it's the nicotine, proven by the fact that patches, gums, lozenges etc have helped their symptoms. As with every treatment, it's very individual. Only one way to find out I guess!
 
Lol they have actually done nicotine enema trials I think! The results weren't promising unfortunately. Hope you find something that works for you.
 
please try a nicotine replacement productbefore you start on cigarettes.I have read many posts on crhns and colitis UK. on this subject and apparently the nicotine replacement works well in reducing flares of uc.I have uc and I am an ex smoker and although I enjoyed a ciggie or ten I wouldn't want to go down thatroad again. Farfar too hard to stop.
 
Firstly I am convinced that ceasation of smoking causes many Digestive tract problems. i know several people who where diagnosed with colitis and where taking Pentasa and other drugs. Two of them had quit smoking 6 months before. Now they have both started smoking again and there symptoms have basically disapeared ?. So do we have colitis anyway and its being masked by smoking Im not sure but personally I had given up smoking 3 years ago because of bad D and back pain, did i get better ? absolutly not ! Things have got dramatically worse. gettin off the cgs was hard but dealing with IBD is a life sentence. Would i go back on the Cigs to see if it helped , yes I would try anything .
I also know a friend who uses Nicotine patches to ease symptoms , I think this is a possibility to try .
 
:whistleinnocently: I've had UC for 23yrs and have taken so many drugs to alleviate symptoms, pain, and discomfort. I have taken Asulfasalasine, Prednisone, Rowasa, MP6,& Remicade and had side effects that have taken me to ER. Since we are on the subject of smoking, marijuana alleviates my symptoms and discomfort.
Smoking marijuana has helped with heartburn, appitite, and nausea. Marijuana helps me relax and keeps me happy during hard times :lol2:,I'm not as tired and my gut is relaxed. After 3 puffs (that's all I need), I always poop afterwards :poo:, I've considered nicotine patches and cigaretts but I would'nt go there.
My flare ups have lasted 2months up to 2years, at one point I did not have any symptoms for 10years. Depends on what you eat, for me it was alot of trial and error. I still eat spicy food and get yearly colonoscopies, I'm o.k., I apologize if I'm not informative enough but I've had UC for too long, I'm past depression..etc. Marijuana has helped me.
 
Last edited:
I have been in the same flare since 1986.
Quit smoking 1977, got UC 1980, ate thousands of azulfadine pills,cort enema ect, never
quite in remission. Started smoking 1982 immediate remission,no meds, quit for only two weeks in 1986,flared and started smoking again but did not go into remission.
Still smoke still have UC.
Old Mike
 
I had a flare lasted 2 months...it was really bad...lost nine pounds in a week... I had to go into the hospital. Every since then im having trouble moving my bowels...and my left side tightens and burns all the time.. theand my digestion has slowed down... They say my muscles to push are not working properly if at all.. they have also diagnosed me with something called crohns colitis
 
:cheerss:My smoking story is about the same as Kev's story. I always stopped cold turkey. Then problems would start. Maybe if you stopped slowly it might make a difference. But I'm not trying to stop again. I have it down to 7 smokes a day and I roll my own with Prince Albert Pipe tobacco.
 
billbo,
in answer to your question.
your flare will last till you find the drug that works for you.

I was dx'd with UC last June, had symptoms since last feb and am still in my original flare.

I have tried nearly all the 5asa's (oral and rectal) and predisolone (oral and rectal). none helped so im gonna start remicade.

I also have chronic pancreatitis so i have to skip the 6-mp step.

What meds ru on?

Ju
 
I am on month 4. 40mg of prednisone, full dose of Lialda and just started Cimzia. Meeting with doc to talk about next steps.

Mine previous to this have ranges from 1 week to 2 months. This is my longest so far.

2
 
thejdubb02 said:
I am on month 4. 40mg of prednisone, full dose of Lialda and just started Cimzia. Meeting with doc to talk about next steps.

Mine previous to this have ranges from 1 week to 2 months. This is my longest so far.

2
Click to expand...

month 4 of 40mg. why's that. can you not taper without symptoms.
i started getting relief this past wk from an odd smoke.
went from 9-14 times a day (painful urgent runny bloody diarrhea)
to 2/3 times a day (mix of soft/formed/diarrhea with some blood)

Isnt that amazing.

its the closest ive been to the elusive remission in 18months.

plus ive only had a scope a few wks ago that showed 50cm inflammation up the left side.

Julie
 
No I made it unclear. 20mg of prednisone for past 3 and a half years weeks attempting to taper off. Just a week ago it got much worse for me and I am now on 40mg.

Starting mesalamine enemas now and Remicade next week.

2
 
yeah im supposed to be starting remicade next wk too. i have already tried mesalamine foam enemas but my colon didnt like them at all. i think i might hold of the remicade to i figure out if i really need it. i might be able to get back on asacol and suppositories seeing its calmed a bit.

ju
 
Nicotine has been shown to help some people go into remission but it really is a hit or miss solution and depends on the individual. The nicotine helps, not smoking. Don't start smoke just purchase an over the counter NICOTINE PATCH and give it a try. Smoking can lead to a world of medical problems just as bad if not worse than IBD. I would not advise anyone to start smoking.
 
ms uc, the studies that were carried out discovered that NRT does not work as well as smoking.
ive talked to and read about loads of people who have tried all sorts to stop a flare and the smoking worked the best and was most reliable. were not talking smoking full time a few drags is all it takes.
anyway that's my new year 2 cents
ju
 
I have had colitis for about 14 years and it seemed to start after I gave up smoking I have had many flare ups in these years and been on hospital and have suffered from enemia constantly have taken many different medicines over the years one of these being predisolone which gave me mood swings and made me gain weight my wife done some research online and discovered some research was being done in USA about people using 25mg Nicotine patches that they worked for some but was and inconclusive. So I decided I would try them I have been using the patches for four months and I feel 100% better already I still take medication
Mercaptapurine
Iron
I have regular blood tests for checks on my organs and enemia.
My consultant says using the patches is ok if they work for me but they have not been trialed fully in this country so cannot be prescribed.
 
I have read about the connection in giving up the dreaded weed and colitis.I stopped smoking 20yrs ago and wasn't dx'd until 6 years ago,so I don't think it applies to me.I have read of ex smokers having some success with just 1 cig per day.I couldn't do that mind,or I'd be back up to 20 a day in no time.But what ever works for you,go for it,I say.Hope your remission lasts a long long time
 
I never heard about this idea that quitting smoking leads to colitis. I have never smoked in my life, so that doesn't explain me.

But my big trigger is stress, and as I understand it, lots of people smoke to relieve stress. I also have to believe that quitting smoking is stressful. I wonder if this is the connection?
 
There have been studies about certain receptors in the colon that are affected by the carbon monoxide and other chemicals produced by cigarette smoking that keep ulcerative colitis at bay, and therefore once certain lucky patients (including myself) stop smoking, UC shows up.

Everytime I stopped smoking, I flared up. The last time I quit smoking the flare never ended, but I was not willing to start up again, so it was surgery time.
 
sheesh!!! I wonder Is that part of my problem again. I just gave up the smokes again after being of them for 2 yrs and back on them for a month. started to flare again but its mild so far. have an infusion on Monday so hopefully that'll nip it in the bud.
ju
 
I would NEVER encourage any-one to start smoking,but if you're an ex smoker and can keep it down to one or two a day,it would be interesting to know what the effects on a flare it would have.I agree that stress is a no-no,if possible,which it usually isn't.I mean,who would have it voluntarily ?
 
I don't think I could keep it to 1 or 2 a day. being an ex-smoker I would be back on them in a flash even though I hate them.
I don't even think i'd go back on them if I had no other choice. it certainly looks like remicade wasn't working because I just talked to mu gi nurse and she said its not good that im flaring already.
ju
 
6 months. nothing else has worked. pred, asacol, mezavent, salofalk, and all the bottom route as well. had pancreatitis last year so I cant try the 6-mp route.
ju
 
Sheesh!! I tried Remicade for a year... got up to the highest dosage at 4-week intervals and still didn't work. Right before that, I took azathioprine and that gave me pancreatitis, which was really unfortunate because it was just starting to work.

Are you able to try Humira? I was told that in UC (not Crohn's) if Remicade fails, Humira doesn't have much chance either, but it's worth a shot if you are able.
 
yeah our stories are very similar indeed. not sure what caused my pancreatitis but they suspected the 5asa's or autoimmune. only cause the pred made me better.
humira, well it scares me. I wouldn't be able to inject myself and your right, the chances of it working are slim. maybe I should start researching surgery more and be done with it.
ju
 
My UC showed up when i stopped smoking too, i gave up for over a year but after finding out it helps restarted and it calmed alot of my UC symptoms, it isnt something i wanted to stay on though so gave up and tried e-cigs but flared up and they havent helped like smoking real cigs did
 
I'm gonna have to find it down but David posted a study somewhere, and they used nicotine patches, and the control group had 70% of its members improve vs 30% on placebo, so it was quite clear the nicotine is what helped in this case.

its possible other matters in cigarettes help, but considering their carcinogenic effect, it's a terrible idea for a treatment.
 
:beerchug:patches did not help me. Only smoking. I roll my own. I am down to 7 a day. I stopped 3 Times, about 10 years apart. Every time I stopped I would start bleeding. I still have problems and have never got back to where I was when I stopped smoking the last time. What ever works for you!
 
if you aren't totally adverse to smoking and no, you don't need to take up 40 a day ive read about people just having 2 or 3 drags and it does them. I would never suggest some1 starts smoking but some would try anything once.
ju
 
Hi Guys,
I am a smoker of 2 a day and I am in a major flare of UC. I was diagnosed in 1997. This latest flare has been going on since last September, I am on Prednisolone, tappering and currently on 15mg, Mesalazine 4800mg daily (highest dose) Asacol supp's 2 a day and for the last 3 weeks Azathioprine 125mg. As you can see i'm on quite a few meds and also smoke, I know its not a lot but occasionally I will have more but have no relief from my UC symptoms at present. :ywow:
Not sure if smoking helps or not although I did have another major flare when I quit due to being pregnant with my son. I got it under control fairly quickly that time with meds but this time I just cant seem to get it under control plus to make things worse the Azathioprine are making me feel awful.

I for one will not be givinig up the ciggies just yet as I have enough stress with the Flare and will maybe think about stopping once I have it under control.:poo:
 
loulou,
that's surprising. I thought UC was not a smokers disease.
well there you go, it can happen. have they ever discussed remicade or humira as the next step?
 
Hi Francis & Sicknik, Not sure what MMJ and Humira and Remicade are but I guess if the Azathioprine doesn't work or I have an adverse reaction then I will speak to my consultant about them, I am seeing him next week. Hopefully my blood tests will come back ok from the AZA and I can continue, he told me it can take around three monts to feel the benefits so fingers crossed.

Can you tell me are these the generic names?

Thanks Guys :)
 
medical marijuana is mm,
infliximab is remicade and
adalimumab is humira.
lots to research.
good luck
ju
 
sickinlk said:
humira, well it scares me. I wouldn't be able to inject myself and your right, the chances of it working are slim. maybe I should start researching surgery more and be done with it.
ju
Click to expand...
My wife has Crohn's (much worse than my UC) and started on Humira almost a year ago. That was her big worry before she started - doing her injections. I even offered to do them for her (to her?). She worked with a nurse for the first few, needed a lot of coaxing and encouragement for a while after that, but she is now a pro with them and its No Big Deal. And the good news, it has helped her a lot.

I can't say if it would help you, but I hope the injection isn't keeping you from giving it a try.

Good luck with all of it.
 
Well. trying to give up cigarettes again. Its been two months without tobacco. I have been using patches and Halo e-cigs to stay sane. All seemed well until about 10 days ago my GI conditions started to dramatically worsen. I have been in constant pain and bloating no matter what I eat or drink. Going to the bathroom is pure hell now, extremely painful, can take an hour+ to squeeze it all out and then I feel cold, exhausted and achy esp in the joints when I finally finish. My life has come to a halt, cant go anywhere, do anything, lost energy and ambition. Been taking more lialda, canasa, cortifoam than ever - the only thin it seems to help is the first poop of the morning will be a bit easier and sometimes even the second, when I get to the 3 or 4th its like labor and childbirth.

I am so glad to be rid of that tobacco stank, but living like this is really not worth it.
 
I had to go back to smoking. I smoke 7 a day and it keeps me from bleeding and out of the hospital.
 
Hi all,

My husband was diagnosed with UC 20 years ago. A few years back he had a nasty flareup and nothing was helping. Finally he picked up smoking. It was a rough patch for us, because I HATE smoking. But the cigarettes completely took away the flareup, and eventually I accepted it. Afterall I was so happy to see him healthy again. His last colonoscopy came back completely clean.

A few months ago he started using electronic cigarettes. We are so happy with them - no smell, no carcinogens, no tobacco fingers. Things seemed to be going well.... but sadly another really bad flareup has started and it is getting pretty unbearable for him. He has made a number of other changes as well that are causing major stress, so its hard to say if switching to the e cigarettes is the driving factor.

Has anyone else had experience with electronic cigarettes and UC?
 
It is not only the nicotine that helps my colon. The other STUFF helps close the porse in the colon. My gi told me I was better off rolling my own smokes. This was long before e cigarettes. Like they say: what ever works.
 
I don't think it's the nicotine that helps. I've been dipping snuff for over 10 years now and I think it actually makes it worse sometimes. Sometimes when I get that early morning dip, it sends me to the bathroom in a rush. After being on remicade for 2 years with great results, I started to have a reaction and had to stop. I've had a flare up for the past 2 months now with mostly just blood and severe lower back pain. Started juicing cabbage, carrots, and an apple with some good results. Thinking about trying a little smoke to see if that helps. I'm really not into it, but if it helps then I guess it's worth a shot. You can only stand having a flare up for so long. If I get some results I'll post em.
 
I am still confused about what a "flare up" actually is ?

I started to have diarrhea in 1997.
A few years later my PCP at the time prescribed me Questran.
In 2006 I got properly diagnosed with UC.
I started on Asacol, then moved on to Lialda.
Right now I take the Lialda and the Questran.

I am not sure if I have ever had a certain period of time where I did not need the medication and that I did not have loose bowels.

Last year was the only time I had significant colon changes and got constipated real bad.....and then my colonoscopy came up normal. But the diarrhea came back a few months after the constipation when I was prescribed antibiotics for something.

So, what is a flare up ?
I have suffered from diarrhea for years.

Thanks for listening.
 
I can only speak for my own UC, which except for some gas and the occasional cramp, is pretty well controlled.

For me, a flare is pretty obvious - big increase in pain, pressure, cramps and gas, and usually my stools get looser, but not always.
 
I HAVE to take my Questran EVERYDAY or I will have yellow, watery diarrhea 24 hours a day and I would be home-bound.

I have been in the hospital for operations ( not related to UC) and did not receive my medications in a timely basis ( like I do when I monitor my medications at home.) When that happens I have the yellow watery diarrhea.

I have to be on a medication schedule pretty much every day because Questran can inhibit the absorption of medications, so the Questran must be taken in between the time I take my pills ! It gets tiring doing this every day. Have a good week everyone.
 

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