hydrocortisone suppositories -- do they have side effects like the oral version?

Hi -- my doctor wants me to try hydrocortisone suppositories along with Canasa for a week or so to try to bring this proctitis flare to a close. He said they don't get into the bloodstream like the oral steroids. But I'm really scared of steroids because I'm already struggling with insomnia and anxiety. Anyone have any experience with these and can offer advice?

Thank you!

Just met my GI today. Will be trying salofalk enemas from today and Ill let you guys know the progress.
My doc told me that regular use of cortisone enemas cause the lining of the colon to become thin. So, worth doing some research on that before starting out
Thx chere

Quincy, by the way, did you happen to see my earlier post about Effexor? I see you have it in your signature, and wonder if you have any advice on how it's worked for you. Thanks so much!

emory.....your next progression should actually be to the 5ASA enemas with a higher dosage of medication .... as well to help the proctitis from spreading upward.

I didn't read your posting about it...will do and maybe answer you there.

I've been on low dosage of Effexor for about 7 years...it's awesome for me since the depression/anxiety cycle is tough to deal with sometimes.
Therapy was also amazing. I did therapy long before I had to make the decision to go on Effexor. Coping was too beyond what I was able to deal with.

q

I can't keep enemas in. I have good luck with Canasa and cortifoam. Neither one bugs me at all.

Thanks, quincy -- 16 years is a milestone worth celebrating! I hope we'll have reason to celebrate soon enough. I have to say my husband isn't having the easiest time with my illness.

Re: Lialda, on the first try, the doctor said take one the first week, two the next week, three the next to avoid headaches, so I guess he wanted me at 3.6 mg. The next try, he just said try one pill for a week, then go to two if you do okay. I only made it to day 4.
He told me there are new studies showing that Lialda works better than the other oral mesalamines and than suppositories on proctitis, so he really wants me to give it a try.

I've never taken Asacol. I was wondering if it might have less amounts of mesalamine in the system at a time, and thus be more tolerable. My brother also has UC (13-15 cm since 2004, which is actually when I had my first small flare), and he says Asacol always worked for him within a week. He hasn't had to take meds in two years. I am so jealous of him right now. (And so grateful for his experience.)

I'm doing my best to eat. The nausea/food revulsion, during the periods it strikes, makes things really hard. I'm trying to stick to a low-residue diet, but that's totally the opposite of how I've always eaten -- tons of whole grains, raw fruit and vegetables, and salads. I'm 5'8", was 148 in late June, and just weighed in at 127.5. It's getting worrisome.

Not taking any other supplements right now because of the nausea, but am planning on a B vitamin complex and fish oil. Also interested in FiberCon and probiotics.

Saw my psychiatrist today; after looking at my sleep/medicine/BM logs, she thinks the nausea/anxiety is from the meds, not so much from my period since I've never had that problem in the past. My gastroenterologist thinks the nausea symptoms are just anxiety (and not the kind from meds), not UC related since I just have proctitis. Me? I don't know what to think. I just want to get past this flare in the hope that I can start eliminating at least a couple of meds from my life.

Thanks for any thoughts. It's such a relief to have this forum...

Saw a tiny smear of blood last night. Feeling quite anxious down. Before that, I'd thought the hydrocortisone suppositories were really helping; maybe they still are.

Hi...I think you should just stick to a LOW dosage of Lialda...2 daily is a good amount, that's all I'm on.

Add the 5ASA enemas 2gram dosage instead of the suppositories.

Worth a try because less is best and you've clearly got a tolerance level well defined.

My opinion on it.

quincy

I need something to soothe me, I feel sore after each bowel movement - and I am fed up of seeing fresh blood dripping into the toilet pan and on the outside of my stools. It's like they bleed on their own after a bowel movement and pool up in time for my next BM. I hate it.

I am certain steriod suppositiories can help the piles and the inflammation at the same time.

Oh emory, I didn't read your original correctly...oops.

Did you ever take Asacol?

I would still suggest a retention enema.....yes, the 5ASA to start...if you cannot use 5ASA meds, then go to either the foam steroid or the liquid steroid enemas.

q

Hang tougn...maybe the increase of Effexor will help your moods.

Are you using the steroid supps daily and the Canasa nightly at this time?

q

Hi...you're welcome!

Why exactly are you taking Effexor? For depression? Are you taking it at night or in the morning?

If you just started the 75mg, I would think it would be no problem to go back down to the 37.5.

Do you take the clonazepam at night as well?

Hope the doc calls you today!
q

Hi....I've not heard of Effexor helping with the sleep patterns, interesting. What if you took it at breakfast instead of at supper?

I can totally understand the stress and anxiety you're having at this time.

Oh, what about calcium with vitamin D...do you take that? that could help possibly?

quincy