Unexplainable Flare

[DD]

Hi Everyone, I can need some insight. I've had CC for 4 years and in all those years I have never had diarrhea this bad, the stool is different too. I was in remission, doing great, no drugs involved for about 2 months, it was absolutely AMAZING! Remission is possible! Then out of nowhere, I got a nasty flare. It is not COVID-related. I can't figure it out and I need to stop trying to figure it out. However, the only thing I can think of what set it off was either the fluctuation of female hormones (pre-menopausal) or a chlorophyll pill my functional doctor wanted me to take to reduce inflammation in the ileum (I stopped taking it). However, yesterday I paid more attention to what was going on and I have small red scab-like bumps on my abdomen, plus occasional itching when I go, not being able to sleep, and constant gurgling all through the night... no cramping, that happened earlier along with dizziness. Now it's just gurgling and D.

I quickly started taking Pepto Bismol and took it for 2 weeks, it was helping a little but not enough. My Gastro said to try cholestyramine again. So I started taking his recommendations (2 packets a day), it was a terrible day. I then took an Imodium and that held things back for the night. I also got dehydrated and have been drinking a lot of water. At 11:00 today I had my first BM since the Imodium and it was slightly better, however, it had white 'chuncks' the size of a pinhead scattered all through it (sorry for the mental picture). Wondering if I have some bad bacteria or a parasite of some sort?

Has anyone else experienced something like this? If so what is your protocol for flare-ups? I'm really bummed because I had such a fabulous 2 months of remission and now feel I have to start all over. Thank you in advance for your help!

[Gabes-Apg]

The white chunks in your poop sound like the cholestramine.


The flare could be a combo of things.
What did you eat for the 3-4 days before it happened?
Other than the chlorophyll pill, have you changed any other treatments?
Do you still have the red bumps on your abdomen.


My initial thoughts is that the flare is a combo of triggers. Based on the info you mentioned. The chlorophyll pill, increased histamine, hormones .
If your immune system was fighting germs and or you ate some foods that you normally wouldn't, these with the other items are enough to cause a flare.

I don't mean to sound harsh but 2 months of minimal symptoms is not really remission, it is start of healing journey.
Many here have flares/ intense symptoms many times in the first 6-12 months of healing.
And remission is quite fragile. One new thing or change you might be ok. But a few triggers and a flare will happen.

What do I do?? Go back to bland basics food wise increase Vit D3 and magnesium to help body reduce inflammation, moderate histamine.

[HockeyMom]

Yes, white “chunks” in my poop aren’t uncommon for me. Is it the cholestyramine ? Who knows. I can have those white chunks in any colored poop!

I used to worry about it. Since I dialed in the right amount of cholestyramine and gained all my weight back, and basically returned to normal.....I don’t worry about it . I used to sort of think it was food?

Laine