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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/30/2008 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all,

Im new to this an was diagnosed with UC after being in the hospital for 10 days.

I just came across this site and have been reading alot of interesting info. Since i have been out of the hospital i have been doing great. I have been putting the weight back on that i lost, i work out and run every morning for work.

I am currently taking 6 pills of asacol, 40 mg(was at 60mg) of presidone, and lomotil.

After reading this site i am kind of scared becasue of hearing all the terrible things about taking asacol and presnidone. I have not really noticed any of these side effects except at first i was getting night sweats.

Also, does anyone know what meds i will stay on, and what ones i will not have to  take forever. I have an appointment next week.

When i get off of these is it common for me to get the symptoms i was getting before. I hope this thing is just done becuase i feel great now.

?

Also is it strange to not have a colonoscopy done? I actually had 2 trips to the hospital. The first one they were unsure exactly what it was and i just sat there and lost weight due to not being able to eat for a week. They then released me and i was worse so went to a GI Dr. He did a partial colonoscopy(they said i couldnt get a full one becuase of being enlarged) and within 10 minutes he said you have UC get back in the hospital. Thats when i was then treated correctley. The plan was then to take the meds then go in for a full colonoscopy but at my last appointment he said i seem to be doing great and a colonoscopy wouldnt be nessesary. Is that a bad idea? i just want to make sure i am all better and i think i would actually feel better if they went and had a look.

Thanks for all the help

 

Posted 8/31/2008 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, and welcome! My guess is that you will stay on the Asacol at your current dosage - I was on Asacol, am now on Lialda, which has the same active drug. The prednisone your doc. will most likely continue to wean you down until you are off entirely, and I am not familiar with lomotil, although I googled it and think it's a short term drug. Definitely advocate for a full colonoscopy to be done eventually. My GI wanted to wait until I was in a good remission before doing the first colonoscopy so he didn't "upset the apple cart" as he put it. Maybe that's your doc's logic, too, but do make sure he is intending to do one relatively soon. Hope you are feeling better soon! You sound like you're on your way.
Posted 8/31/2008 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on asacol since before it was approved because I participated in a drug study for 5-ASA. I've take prednison on and off during the past 20 years. I don't think I have suffered any long term affects, fortunately. I have a little back trouble, but most golfers do!

Colonoscopies can be very irritating, so if it's obvious you are ulcerated it makes sense to wait until you are doing better.
Posted 8/31/2008 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Asacol and the other 5-ASA drugs have really low rates of side effects or allergies; that's why they're usually the first drug used for UC. The side effects of short-term use of Prednisone are annoying but not permanent; the really bad, lasting ones only happen with long-term use.

I'm sure your GI will want to do a full colonoscopy when your colon heals a bit. In the meantime, enjoy the fact that you are once again feeling good and remember, some people have first remissions that last 20 years or more.
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