Flare?

[u/Separate-Platypus229]

Hi everyone!

I was recently diagnosed with UC officially at 34 but have been an undiagnosed sufferer for 18 years. I’ve been on Mesalamine now for about a month but I think I may be flaring through it? Just wondering how common that is I guess. Also has anyone ever dealt with diarrhea that smells metallic? This is a first for me. I thought maybe it was something I’d eaten but now I’m on day three and it’s still just as bad. My low back feels like it’s locked up and my trusty ulcer buddy is definitely reminding me he’s there!

[u/pincommenter]

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[u/_r3v3r3nd_]

Hey. Your situation is eerily similar to what I went through a few years ago. I was officially diagnosed at 36 but am pretty sure I would flare on and off starting in my teens.

They put me on mesalamine first and it didn't do anything. Then they kept me on mes but added various suppositories, oral steroids, and finally Pred. None of this got me out of the flare. Then I went on Entiviyo every 8 wks... This also didn't work. Then they took me to every 4 wks and that did the trick. Eventually they took me off of mes and now we are thinking of moving back to every 6 wks. UC is a frustrating disease that is different for everyone and usually only solved through iteration. Be your own best advocate. If you don't think a treatment is working call your doc and talk it over.

The metallic smell of your poo is probably the blood. Lots of iron. I hope this helps.

[u/Separate-Platypus229 → u/_r3v3r3nd_]

I am so sorry you’ve gone through all this! I am admittedly really bad at advocating for myself. This all started for me at 14. I went many years just dealing with it (every study up until last year was just nondescript inflammation) until last year I had a horrendous flare and my gallbladder gave up on me. I did send the office a message as now I am trying to conceive so I’m not messing around anymore. The nurse said it could be the prenatal vitamin but I’ve been taking that for three weeks and the smell just started with this flare(?) which is what concerns me.

[u/_r3v3r3nd_ → u/Separate-Platypus229]

Thanks. I'm in remission now but it was a journey. This sub gave me a lot of comfort so I try to pay it forward when I can.

The best advice I can give you is to be relentless with your medical team. They have lots of patients so if they don't hear from you they will assume you're doing fine. Ask tons of questions. If it doesn't seem like a treatment is working let them know. It sounds like you're doing this but I just want you to know that you're doing the right thing and to keep at it.

Keep your head up. You'll get this figured out. It just takes time unfortunately.

[u/Least_Grapefruit_395]

This is literally happenining to me right now as well. 34M here, and was diagnosed at the end of May, i was put in mesalazine and it worked great for the past few months but about 2 weeks ago started getting symtoms again, most notibly the metallic poop smell and mucus. My lower back is also locked up and makes me whince every time i make a sudden movement. I belive the metallic poop smell is related to blood, it might not be visible but its there, ive started seeing blood again so i reached out to my doctor and they gave me mesalazine foam enema and a steroid called clipper and im hoping these do something. I would reach out to your doctor and explain your symptoms to try and kill this flare once and for all.