Does this sound like a flare up?

[PandaPop11]

Hi all, my husband was diagnosed with colitis around 10 years ago, after a period of treatment etc he was considered to be in remission and discharged from the team at the hospital. I would say this was around 5 years ago now.

Last year, he fell over damaging his knee which became inflamed. After taking ibuprofen on and off to reduce the inflammation, it didn’t improve and he was prescribed naproxen. He has been taking this for 1 month when he started to notice a significant change in his bowel movements. He has had diarrhoea daily for the last week. He has also lack of appetite which in turn means he has lost quite a significant amount of weight. His iron levels are showing as being low and his GP has said he is very concerned.

He has been referred for an endoscopy and colonoscopy and he’s worried they’re going to tell him it’s the ‘c word’. Is it possible that this is a severe colitis flare? Can anyone with colitis share their stories of having a flare after so long or those who have had issues with naproxen.

Thank you in advance

[bantam12]

Ibuprofen and Naproxen aren't recommended for colitis patients as they will cause a flare up especially if taken long term.

He should also be under continual care of a Gastro team for annual surveillance and be on maintenance meds to keep him in remission.

I was diagnosed 25 years ago and I'm still with the same gastro team, seen every year or more frequently if needs be and I have immediate access to my IBD nurse and Consultant which saves a lot of time !

I hope he gets better soon.

[Maisywhippet]

All advice from bantam sounds spot on.I was diagnosed 2yrs ago with UC. Came completely from nowhere...after 6 weeks of running to the toilet and eventually being admitted to hospital it was confirmed. After hefty intravenous steroids for 5days I was sent home with regular meds ( octasa) to be taken for life, maintenance dose.

All was good for a year then it came back..advice from doc was “up the meds and catch it quick...it works and no probs since. Due a routine colonoscopy in3weeks as they do like to keep an eye on the colon.

I would say the anti inflammatories have cause a flare,

I have been told ibuprofen is a definite no no with UC.

He will lose weight fast with diarrhoea and iron is possible low due to passing blood in it?

Flares can come on very fast and you should have meds ready to be able to deal with it, get on to IBD nurse at your local hospital and please try not to worry! Good luck😊