A flare plan is a one-page guide for the days when your IBD acts up. It says what to do, who to call, and when to get help right away.
How to use it
Fill it in with your IBD team, at a visit or by phone. They can change the steps to fit you.
Print it, or keep this page open on your phone. Put a copy on your fridge.
Use it when symptoms start. Treating a flare early often makes it easier to control.
New to IBD? Read What is IBD? first. It explains what a flare is.
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About you
Your name (optional)
Your condition
Your usual IBD medicines
Name, dose and how often. Your pharmacy label has these.
What "normal" looks like for me
When your IBD is calm. This helps you and your team spot a flare.
Stools a day, when I'm well
a day
Do I usually see blood in my stool?
Anything else that's normal for me (optional)
Mild flare: what to do
A few more stools than normal, some loose stools or a little blood, but you feel OK otherwise. Edit these steps with your team.
Medicine change my team agreed to (optional)
Only fill this in if your team has told you exactly what to do.
Call the clinic the same day if…
Go to emergency or call 911 if…
This list is always part of your plan. It can't be removed.
Heavy bleeding from your bottom, or you feel faint or dizzy
Severe belly pain that does not settle
A fever with belly pain
Vomiting, and you cannot keep fluids down
6 or more bloody stools in a day, with a fever or a racing heart
A swollen, hard belly with vomiting, or you cannot pass gas or stool
Chest pain, sudden trouble breathing, or a painful, swollen leg
Who to call
Ask your IBD team for these numbers and write them here.
Fills in the clinic secretary and the IBD nurse practitioner at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Seeing someone else? Type your own clinic's details.
In Ontario, you can call Health811 (dial 811) any time, day or night, to talk to a nurse. It is free. It is not for emergencies.
My IBD flare plan
Who to call
Ask your IBD team: ______________________
Ontario: Health811 (dial 811), any time, to talk to a nurse. Not for emergencies.
Normal for me
Stools a day: ____. Blood when well: ____.
My IBD medicines
______________________
Mild flare: what to do
Keep taking your usual IBD medicines.
Do a stool calprotectin test if your team asks.
Call the IBD clinic within 2 days.
Write down your symptoms each day: number of stools, blood, pain.
Drink plenty of fluids.
For pain, use acetaminophen (Tylenol) as the label says. Avoid ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).
Call the clinic the same day if
Blood in your stool that is new or getting worse
Belly pain that is getting worse
A fever, or signs of an infection, while you take IBD medicine
Pain, swelling or pus around the anus
You can't take your IBD medicine
Your mild-flare steps have not helped after a few days
Go to emergency or call 911 if
Heavy bleeding from your bottom, or you feel faint or dizzy
Severe belly pain that does not settle
A fever with belly pain
Vomiting, and you cannot keep fluids down
6 or more bloody stools in a day, with a fever or a racing heart
A swollen, hard belly with vomiting, or you cannot pass gas or stool
Chest pain, sudden trouble breathing, or a painful, swollen leg
Only change your medicines as agreed with your care team. From drsquirell.ca/patients/flare-plan. General information; your own care team knows your health best.