symptoms are back :(

Seems there's lots going on. Any 5ASA you're able to take?

Can you not use steroid enemas?

Please use mega sunscreen since you're on Aza.

Up the probiotics?

Hope you feel better soon.
q

that's too bad.....maybe you could try the steroid enemas? I personally would go right to the big guns & ask about Remicade... it doesn't seem that there's any benefit in putting the biologics off anymore, medically speaking. Generally when this hapens, the doctor will increase your pred dose for another couple weeks, then try to taper again. Since it's only been 5 days since your last pred dose, it doesn't really bode well for a future taper. And since you don't want steroids again, & you're on the max 5ASA dose plus the immunosuppressor, the biologics are the next step. Whatever you decide, I truly hope you feel better ASAP! Those diapers don't look too cute with a swimsuit...hahaha!!!!!! kidding!

Ya know Dawn, when you mentioned you got a boat that is exactly what I was thinking - your poor fair skin doesn't stand a chance! :) After you burn, do you at least get to retain a tan?

I just thought of something. My dermatologist recommended this sunscreen b/c it has zinc oxide. Anyway it is "Blue Lizard." It has a 30+ spf and says on the tube "very water resistant and good for sports."

Hey Dakota,

I am so sorry you are going through this. I am doing the steriod e's and some days I think I am getting better and some I think I am getting worse, I just don't know. If I am not significantly better, I have to call my GI this Wed (will have been on the e's for two weeks) and I don't want to go back to a high dose of pred. I am on 10mg right now.

I'm on azathioprine and my next step is remicade, I already passed those tests but I am afraid to try it, b/c if it doesn't work then I have to go the surgery route, which I am not ready to face yet.

Before doing that I do want to get a second opinion.

Okay - talked to the doc. He gave me two options. 1-Back on the pred at 20 mg for a S-L-O-W taper and increasing the Imuran. 2-Remicade. I voted for 2.

Now I'm freaking out!!! I know it's the best choice for me, because the pred is destroying my body. I also know that Remi has worked wonders for other peeps. I just hope it does the same for me... I'm okay with this, but for the next hour or two, I'm going to freak out.

He's going to have the nurse call me back - I'm guessing they'll schedule things soon. I don't know though - they might have to deal with my insurance company first. Although insurance has been pretty darn good with working with me - they didn't say much about my hospital stay.

I'll stay on my current meds for a while - then taper down. Down to what? Not sure yet. I am a bit concerned about being on the Imuran along with the Remi - that's where I've read the lymphoma would be from... I'm making a list of more questions to ask.

The freaking out part has has passed. It was pretty short. I just want to feel "normal" again. This being scared to go to the bathroom because of seeing blood and having pain is getting old!

Waiting for the Remi appt until they can get some insurance stuff straightened out. Sigh... I hope it doesn't take long and I can get it early next week. BMs are painful. Will keep up with the Rowasa for now. Gosh I hope something helps soon!

I picked up the Blue Lizard sunscreen this afternoon. Going to try that next trip to the lake!

Old Hat: I did try Colazal when I was initially dx'd. It did nothing for me, except give me some yellow liquid poo! I have been on Asacol since Sept '03. Maybe after 4 1/2 years it's losing it's effectiveness? Sigh... I just don't know anymore. I really thought the Imuran and Asacol combo was my miracle drug combo... I did have a good year with it - almost to the day! It was within a couple of weeks of when I came off of the pred in 2007.

Thanks for the positive vibes - I'll take any I can get right now.

Sunblock and I are trying to be good friends! I think I really need to dig out my water resistant watch and set an alarm for every hour or 90 minutes to reapply. But who knows - maybe with the addition of the bimini I'll be okay.

I'm really trying not to second guess everything right now. Maybe I should try another pred taper (my teeth are begging me not to) - maybe it was something I ate (although food doesn't seem to send me into a flare) - maybe I moved around too much - maybe I didn't sleep enough - maybe I took my meds an hour too late - maybe if I hadn't have missed that ONE dose - maybe this - maybe that... Every time I catch my self in the maybe - what if cycle I tell myself to STOP! It doesn't do me any good. I could try any number of different combinations and each and every one could end up with the same result. Or maybe because this disease is what it is - crazy! - one combination could work one time and not the next. The frustration!!!

I know what you mean about the what if game. I have been doing that myself lately. Good luck with the Remi, you are gonna have to come tell us if and when you have it. I'm curious if this will be your magic bullet as it has for so many others.

Yep, I know someone with Crohn's colitis who does extremely well on Imuran-Pentasa combo. It must be your right-side inflammation that makes Colazal ineffective. Hang in there! You did have a period of upheaval moving, which is a known stressor even to totally healthy folks. Pat yourself on the back for trying valiantly to stay "caught up" with everything & stay as positive as you can. Hope you'll get another good UC break real soon. We're all rooting for you! / Old Hat

I may be right behind you but want to increase my pred first. uuugh! Teeth sensitivity stinks!

Let me know how everything goes!!!!