I have been posting regularly on this site for over a year, and thought I had the disease pretty much under control. Having been fine for ages, 4 days before my holidays this weekend I come down with the usual bloating, stabbing pains and 3 "hot spots". 5 bowel movements today (tmi) and no relief from the stabs and bloating.
So taking my own advice I went straight onto the 48 hour fluid only diet and a quick call to my GP. With some reluctance (as it has not yet developed into full blown diverticulitis, and he was concerned about developing antibiotic resistance) he has prescribed antibiotics - different to the usual ones, but others on this site have mentioned them. I explained I did not want to be rolling in agony in a foreign country, without medication. I am going to continue on the fluids and wait and see. I should know by Saturday, but that would have been too late to see a GP, and I fly out early Sunday. Even if apparently improving by then, I'll make sure I have the pills at the ready with me.
However it made me think. The last 3 flares all came just before I was due to go on holiday as well, plus on other occasions, I have instead developed a bladder infection just before a holiday. So it has made me wonder about the psychological aspects of this disease. In the run up to the holidays, I am dashing about and I think subconsciously worrying I am going to become ill when away. So, I suspect I am actually making myself ill. I know others have cited stress as a factor, and the fear of problems that goes with it. So, still learning about this disease after 16+ years of coping with it. More fluid, 2 paracetemol and a hot water bottle now.
As you know I'm a newby to DD, but I wouldn't be at all surprised that the anxiety and worry has brought it on. I seem to feel worse when going on a journey with no known toilet facilities available, then start panicking that I need to 'go'. On reflection I think caring for my Mum with Alzheimer's for 4 years was the start of mine as it was extremely stressful. As the latest theory is that DD is caused by a low fibre diet, you and I know that can't be true in our cases being lovers of lots of fruit and veg!
I do hope your OK for your holiday. Best wishes, Sue
Sorry to hear your DD is playing up l hope the liquid diet helps so there is no need for antbiotics. I have heard that anxiety or stress can cause a flareup but not enough is known about this horrible disease. I also have lupus and stress causes flares so it wouldnt surprise me if it is all connected. Ive never been prescribed antibiotics but l hear they make you feel poorly so l hope you dont need to take them. Lots of water and more water and my fingers are crossed. How long is your flight
I hope you get the symptoms under control and the holiday works out for you. The more I learn about Crohn's and DD the less I seem to know. Well at least as far as my symptoms go anyway. I have been free of DD flares for some 10 years although I have been diagnosed with Crohn's and had flares associated with that disease a number of times in the intervening years. When I was putting the finishing touches to our planned Christmas visits I developed a fever and acute lower abdominal pain in November I assumed it was Crohn's again. Not so. I had developed DD and an abcess and though that has now dissipated I am left with 2 hot spots. I am still on Augmentin and this along with a liquid diet for 2/3 days appear to be helping. Sorry long story but am sure that stress has a bearing on gastro health and flares.
I think you could be right. The same thing happens to me. It doesn’t help that I had my first DD attack whilst on holiday in Florida and was rushed to ER. I am always worried when I go on holiday even to the point where I am almost waiting for symptoms to happen. My Dr now prescribes me antibiotics just in case and that does help to alleviate the fear a lot. Keep the hot water bottle and paracetamol close and have a great holiday.
Sometimes pain is over an indistinct area or radiates over the whole side of the body. On one or two occasions I have been able to point a finger at the precise point of pain/inflammation. These I call hot spots but am not sure it is a recognised term or medically derived.
Sorry to hear your not to good. I hope it settles down and you enjoy your holiday xx
Have you ever done any research on Aloe Vera Gel, I’ve read a lot of good things about it helping with DD?
Thanks for all your good wishes - at the moment I am leaking!!!! Any more water and I'll float away. I certainly expect a disturbed night but better that than the alternative!! The pills will be ready for collection tomorrow. Once he agreed to prescribe, I half expected the pain to go, but it hasn't. Everything crossed - literally - that I won't need them.
I take aloe vera daily. Started with the pure juice and switched to the capsules. The juice certainly helped initially. Fybogel and probiotics also help.
Hi Felinia, so hope things calm down for you and you can have a nice holiday.
You are always so helpful to so many of us on this forum, I have been so grateful to you ,taking the time to reassure me with helpful information. xx
Thanks. So far so good, but the pills are going with me, just in case. One more day of meal replacement drinks and soup, but the cat goes off to the cattery first thing tomorrow, and I'm all packed. Signing off now until 22nd.
Fingers crossed have a lovely painfree time xx
your mention of the word abscess ,,,I had a burst abs cess which was treated with a multitude of intravenously fed drugs ,and nothing at all to eat for 8 days. The infection was stopped and no theatre visit was necessary .
The second abscess did cause me some discomfort, And was spotted on a scan for a totally unrelated reason.
This abscess ,,did heal itself, I was told that if the pouches get blocked .inflammation usually follows.
so ,bowel movement has to be constant, is my way of dealing with possible blockages regardless of what I eat .If I get a twinge ,a couple of Paracetamol usually calms it down .must admit ,,it is now off my stress list
Hi felina. First just wanted to Thanku for all your support. I really needed it and appreciated it. Every time Xmas is here the past two years now I'm sure its cos I'm panicking I'm gona be ill over it and low and behold I am! I agree with u sometimes your mind can bring things on or is it the stress factor? Hope u have a lovely break! Take care
Break was the right word - I fractured my kneecap and am laid up at home! But the DD didn't play up.
Oh no you poor thing! Hope it gets better soon. So glad the DD didn’t play up.
Oh no! You were so worried about your DD playing up whilst away and then this happens. Hope the recovery isn't too long or traumatic, Sue.
Oh no poor you did it happen at the end of your holiday, I hope you still managed to enjoy your break where did you go.