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Need advice re: bleeding prior to Friday trip

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/4/2008 7:48 PM (GMT 0)

I'm taking a ten day cruise on Friday to the Panama Canal, and, wouldn't you know it, I've started bleeding. My UC has been really great for the past two - three months and some weeks you wouldn't even know I had it. However, I started seeing some blood in the past 10 days or so which has increased to just about every bowel movement I have for the last 2 - 3 days. Other than some mucus, I don't have any other symptoms and my stools are still pretty well fully formed. The amount of blood colors the water in the bowl, so it's more than just a few drops, or what you might expect to see adhered to your stool (gross, isn't it?)

I telephoned my GI's voice mail this AM and told him what was happening, my trip plans, and that if something went downhill while on the trip i would bump the Prednisone to 40mg until I could get into the office after i returned. I"ll see his nurse on Thursday for my weekly Methotrexate shot and asked for his confirmation of the Pred. increase or other directions at that time.

My question is this: Is there anything else that you would suggest I do before leaving the country for 10 days?

Posted 11/4/2008 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Start rectal meds.

Sue
Posted 11/5/2008 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, Rectal meds. Try Rowasa! It works very quickly.
Posted 11/5/2008 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
Rowasa, Cort enemas or Canasa suppositories.  Also, did you doctor say anything about increaseing the Colazal?  I am on nine a day.   Finally off the pred and feel well after a seven month flare!!! yippeeeeeee.  By the way, which cruise line are you sailing with?  We were on a Panama canal (which did NOT go into the canal) cruise two years ago with MSC Lirica...worse cruise line we ever sailed.

Posted 11/5/2008 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
rectal meds for sure...I'd suggest the enemas over the suppositories.

q
Posted 11/5/2008 7:33 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately, I did not respond to the few rectal meds my GI tried me on several years ago. We tried several, each one for a couple months, but nothing seemed to provide any improvement or really make any difference at all. Wish i could report otherwise.

However, the good news is that the bleeding has decreased noticeably since yesterday's posting, so I'm hopeful. If it does subside, I'm going to enter dry-roasted peanuts to the "no-no" food list, as I believe that might have been the cause. I had some two or three nights last week and, although it took a couple days to happen, I think that was the stimulus.

nono

Christine1946; I was on 9/day Colazol but my GI doc. dropped me back to 6 when he put me on the Methotrexate.

Also, I will be sailing on Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas and we will go thru the Gatun Locks into Gatun Lake. I took this cruise in 2004 and, because it was the best cruise I ever had, we are taking the whole family with us this time. After sailing on Royal Caribbean, Disney and Carnival, we now only go with Royal.


Posted 11/5/2008 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Try them again! Why not, can't hurt? Keep to low fiber for the time being?
I think your plan for prednisone is what I would do.

And I'm the one who always says don't worry about bleeding, I'm always bleeding. It's the urgency that makes travel difficult.
Posted 11/5/2008 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, and have a wonderful time!!!
Posted 11/6/2008 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks. I'm hoping to, just hope TD #17 doesn't spoil anything for us.

Posted 11/6/2008 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
     Glad to hear you are going on Royal Caribbean.  We've never been on that cruise line but heard wonderful reports about it.  Don't EVER go on the MSC Lirica....terrible!  We like Holland America and Celebrity.  Have a great time!  Take all your meds along and try to forget all your woes..lol.  Just relax and enjoy!
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