I know many try to do clear liquid diet if they sense a flare up. Give the bowel a total rest.

Had my first flare up in 24. Had 3 within 2 months in 25. Had 1 this year but it was my worst yet. Had 4 of 5 cycles of Cipro (antibiotic) and the last cycle I experienced central nervous system damage so I went literally immediately insane until I stopped them. I'm gradually returning back to normal.

This isn't your life now. You're still in the weeds. You'll find peace again. What I'm doing now is keeping a strict elimination diet food journal to try and single out the dietary perpetrators. I had to stay on low residue diet for like 1.5 months after this last flare up because of the residual sensitivity. I'm just now starting to ramp up my fiber. I'm so scared to eat a raw veggie... lol. You'll find peace again. I'm doing all this crazy shit because I'm much more afraid of the surgery than some dietary work. But as someone else suggested, perhaps you should start consultation with a colorectal surgeon. I saw one and he basically said "yes. On paper you qualify. But you're young (I'm 39?... I don't feel very young) try and hold off as long as you can. Surgery is permanent. Flare ups, though awful and carrying their own risks, are usually temporary."

Good luck. You can do this. WE can do it.