My IBD flare plan
Content date: 10 November 2026
Complete this with your team while you are well, then update it when treatment changes. Do not guess the numbers or doses.
Diagnosis: ........................ | Plan date: ................
Treating team: ........................ | Plan review date: ................
1 · My usual pattern in remission
Usual bleeding or night-time bowel movements? ........ | Usual weight: ........
Current medicines, or location of attached medicine list: ................................
2 · What change needs prompt assessment?
The team enters my individual thresholds. If these are blank, seek assessment when symptoms worsen; do not wait to reach a particular number.
| What I monitor | Agreed threshold or change and how long it lasts |
|---|---|
| More bowel movements or night-time diarrhea | ................................ |
| Blood, pain or weight loss | ................................ |
| Drinking, urine and temperature | ................................ |
Fever while taking immunosuppressive treatment, or new pain and swelling around the anus, needs same-day assessment. Infection or another cause can mimic a flare; increased diarrhea does not always mean active inflammation.
3 · The team’s plan when symptoms change
Tests ordered by the team and dates: ................................
Response review date and person reviewing results: ................................
Do not start steroids, antibiotics or antidiarrheal medicine, or change treatment doses yourself. Do not stop steroids abruptly. Follow only a dated, written personal medicine plan; seek advice before the next dose if you have fever or infection.
Prescriber and date: ........................ | Reassessment date: ................
4 · A short diary when symptoms change
| Date | Stools / blood / pain | Temperature / drinking and urine |
|---|---|---|
| ............ | ........................ | ........................ |
| ............ | ........................ | ........................ |
Heavy or persistent bleeding, fainting, severe dehydration, severe abdominal pain especially with swelling, vomiting or inability to pass gas, or fever with severe illness. Do not delay emergency care to finish the diary or obtain tests.
For appointments, results and questions about your treatment plan, use your healthcare facility’s official contact channel shown in your appointment message or visit report. Seek prompt assessment for urgent problems; if timely assessment is unavailable, go to emergency care. In an emergency, go to the emergency department immediately and do not wait for a message reply.
Person explaining the plan: ........................ | Date: ................
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