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Frequent Urination and Swollen/Bloated Abdomen Ulcerstive Colitis

Posted , 6 users are following.

carlacupcake
carlacupcake

Hello All

Does anyone experience frequent urination and a swollen/bloated/heavy/tender abdomen with UC flare? I have managed my UC well over the last few years, mainly through diet. I've had mild flares in the past, but I don't usually present with these symptoms. There could be another reason for these symptoms, but now I'm thinking it's the UC. Thoughts anyone? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated x

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • zoev2004
    zoev2004 carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hi Carlacupcake, I'm yet to be diagnosed but specialist suspects I have UC. 

    I do get a bloated abdomen and it does get very sorry. Is it possible though that maybe you have a urine infection? X

    • carlacupcake
      carlacupcake zoev2004

      Posted

      Hi Zoe

      Thanks very much for your reply. I was initially treated for a UTI with antibiotics, but no joy. I didn't think I had a UTI - no culture found in urine either. My UC was diagnosed about 8 years ago and I manage it really well - through diet. I've had mild flare ups, but have never had the swollen/heavy abdomen and frequent urination. I'm currently being investigated for possible cyst or fibroid, as a follow on from UTI as these can cause same symptoms. I have a transvaginal scan on Mon and if all fine, I'll ask for a referral to a gastro to look at my UC and bowel... Lovely! How are you feeling and what symptoms do you have? x

  • looloo43
    looloo43 carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hi, I currently have exactly the same prob as you. i have previously been diagnosed with colitis. I currently have proctitis & the same symptoms as colitis minus the heavy bleeding. my consultant thinks I may have chronic IBS as well as IBD (common) but is referring me for tests for fructose intolerance & bile acid malabsorption as they can also produce the same symptoms. My abdomen is very swollen/heavy/tender/sore like you, but the very fact it is swollen & heavy probably makes you wee more anyway as it puts pressure on your bladder - it does me. if you are getting other symptoms like diarrhoea, increased frequency, tiredness, pain, it may be worth seeing your specialist or gp to consider other conditions. good luck, hope this helps. x
    • carlacupcake
      carlacupcake looloo43

      Posted

      Hi looloo

      Thank you for your reply - very helpful and interesting what you say about your symptoms, especially the abdominal ones... Very similar to me. I Was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis about 8 years ago and manage it really well, through diet mainly. I have flare ups here and there, usually brought on by stress, being over tired/run down, or not eating right. However I have never experienced the symptoms I have right now. My UC has been active the last 4/5 weeks now. I was treated for suspected UTI with antibiotics due to above symptoms. No joy and no culture in urine. I didn't feel it was a UTI. Now currently going through tests for a possible cyst/fibroid as these can cause same symptoms. I have a transvaginal scan on Mon - I had an internal with a gynaecologist yesterday and all looked and felt fine/normal. If no cyst or fibroid, I'm going to get UC and bowel checked. I went down the gynae route as doc recommended it could be that. GP didn't seem to connect my UC flare with symptoms I have. Anyway, time will tell. How are you feeling with your symptoms just now? I don't know much about proctitis. I get diarrohea, increased frequency, passing of mucus & blood - the usual UC symptoms. Are you getting these too? I hope you are feeling generally good and get answers an a way forward soon x

  • looloo43
    looloo43 carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hi carlacupcake,

    Proctitis is colitis but only in the rectum. my consultant thinks my main problem is chronic IBS now, but it feels like I have all the colitis symptoms minus the bleeding. my most recent scope came back with biopsies being within normal limits, so perhaps it is IBS-my consultant says it's common for IBD patients to also have IBS, & the symptoms can be chronic & severe. I have a rectal tear for the 3rd time now which causes a little bleeding & awful pain when I have a bm & afterwards. I do feel c..p at present. They are trying me on amitryptiline for pain relief but I have to stick with it for at least 2mths to see if it will help. The other tests I mentioned previously are to eliminate (or diagnose) other conditions that produce same symptoms. I am currently on mesalazine, but no more steroids as I have had 6 courses in last 2yrs. If it turns out to be IBS, fructose malabsorption or bile acid malabsorption steroids would be no use anyway. I would see if you could see your gastroenterologist or IBD nurse going on what you said about you symptoms of diarhea, frequency, blood & mucus. xx

    • carlacupcake
      carlacupcake looloo43

      Posted

      Hi looloo

      Sorry to hear you have been feeling so c**p. How are you feeling just now? On the up and calmer symptoms I hope!? I'm okay, bladder pressure and frequent urination bothering me more than the UC symptoms just now. The transvaginal showed lady bits to be normal and healthy - no cysts or fibroids. However she did see a very active bowel! It was obstructing view of one ovary, so only one could be seen, but she's confident no ovarian cysts. She thinks symptoms are all UC related. Went to see my GP yesterday - now waiting for gastro app. Will most likely be going for a colonoscopy. When was your last colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy? What is involved in the testing for fructose intolerance and bile acid malabsorption? Sound like your doc is on the case and being thorough!? Hope you are getting on okay and the amytriptiline work well for you and soon... x

  • looloo43
    looloo43 carlacupcake

    Posted

    H Carlacupcake, my last scope was a sigmoidoscopy in january, biopsies came back within normal limits which is why my consultant thinks my main problem now is and/or chronic IBS, fructose intolerance, or bile acid malabsorption. my symptoms still feel just like colitis minus the heavy bleeding but I only seem to get a little blood now probably from the rectal fissure(tear) I currently have. My consultant is being thorough now, but this hasn't always been the case. I have had to really push things myself as I am fed up with suffering long term, & have had so many spells off work I am worried about keeping my job. My employers have been fab with me & still are, but they are a business & need to have staff they can rely on. To test for fructose intolerance they do a special breath test measured at specific times after ingesting a fructose solution. To test for bile acid malabsorption you swallow a mildly radioactive capsule that mimics bile acid & then get scanned. Then a week later they scan you again to see how much of the fake bile acid is left in you. Apparently bile acid should recycle back to your gall bladder after each meal ready for the next meal. If too much bile acid leaves the body (via colon) this can cause diarrhoea, irritation to bowel, stomach ache etc. I live in hope with the amitryptilline; the last few days some of the sharp pain in the left & right side of roughly where colon is is slightly better - it still has a feeling of soreness from inside & a kind of fizzing/bubbling where the sharp pain was, like the pain's been "muffled" a bit if that makes sense. I still have the rectal pain & soreness, stomach ache & lower back ache especially before & after bm's, & stomach like I'm 3mths pregnant, but at least some of the pain feels slightly better. I've got to up the dose once more tomorrow (monday) so crossed fingers for some improvement soon. Hope you get your gastro appointment through soon.x
    • carlacupcake
      carlacupcake looloo43

      Posted

      Hi looloo

      It must be really difficult and stressful trying to manage your symptoms and pain, with the pressures of getting to work too. I really hope the amitryptilline works well for you - sounds like a positive start if it's taking the edge off some of the pain already - yes I understand your reference to the pain being 'muffled' Fingers crossed your appointment comes through soon and you get some answers. It's the waiting and not knowing that's the hardest at times, don't you think? I have a wee health anxiety thing too, so often convince myself it's a lot worse than it is. My UC symptoms seem to be improving the last couple days, however the frequent urination and bladder pressure is really playing up today. I think anxiety makes it worse! Like you, I still look 3 months pregnant - odd how a have a wee pot belly now. Lovely! Is your abdomen bloated looking all the time? Funny, my friend mentioned today that she has a bile acid issue - she is just back from her hols, where she ate more greasy food and had diarreha every day. She controls it through diet mainly. I will keep you posted on the gastro app. Let me know how you are getting on and with tests too. Speak soon x

  • looloo43
    looloo43 carlacupcake

    Posted

    Hi Carlacupcake

    I agree with you it's hard not knowing & waiting for tests, & results & appointments, trying to pinpoint exact problem-it all takes so long, & you have to suffer in the meantime. It is stressful as I'm off work again at present which is a worry in itself. I try not to look too far ahead now as I start thinking what if what if what if...& it makes me more stressed about my situation. I just take it one thing at a time like deal with one appointment or test then take if from there. Same with my symptoms - take it as it comes each day. I do have tearful moments now & then, being unwell for so long does get me down, but I get over it & pull my thinking back to sensible perspective again. Suppose a few tears now & then helps let out accumulated frustration!! My abdomen is bloated all the time, but its also worse after eating. I lost half a stone without trying in january which is so not normal for me; great to lose a bit of weight but not for wrong reasons. Its stabalised since starting the amitryptilline at end of january though, & my appetite is bit better for being on them. I am so tired all the time too, I wonder if its because I cant eat hardly any fruit or veg now as it comes out looking the same as it went in(undigested) sorry no other way to put it!! Do you get that problem? keep me posted on your appointment, will let you know how I get on. x

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