steroid suppository (other ?s, and updates)

How long should one take a steroid suppository? I've been taking Anucort (25 mg steroid) since September and have been alternating it every other night with Canasa since October. Bleeding stopped in October. Should I start to wean off the rectal meds? I feel like whatever little steroid that goes into my body each time I use Anucort is building up.

I'm getting tons of acne and having some hair loss. My guess is that they're from Anucort, since I didn't have a problem with either before starting Anucort. Or could the acne and hair loss be from Remicade or just a combo of meds?

The reason I was alternating between the Canasa and Anucort in the first place was because Canasa every night had previously caused diarrhea. How should I wean off of them both?

I started Colazal (the generic version) in July.

Thanks, quincy!

No, I was on Canasa back in March when my flare wasn't so bad (I was just on Asacol back then). Canasa had stopped the bleeding, but it caused loose stools which weren't there before. When I started Anucort in September, it didn't get rid of the bleeding, so I started alternating b/w the two.

maybe you should discuss this with your doctor?

going off a steroid can lead to relapse of your disease. Maybe the doctor can give you an alternative to the steroid (you mentioned remicade -- so you may not need an alternative) but at least touch base with the MD, he may have a plan

neednewbody said...
maybe you should discuss this with your doctor?

going off a steroid can lead to relapse of your disease. Maybe the doctor can give you an alternative to the steroid (you mentioned remicade -- so you may not need an alternative) but at least touch base with the MD, he may have a plan

steroid suppositories....not systemic.

It's always suggested by most (here) to taper....interestingly, many doctors neglect to state that fact or deem it important.

 

I was actually scheduled for surgery back in September, but my c-scope came back with only a little proctitis, so I canceled. Some days I wish I had gone through; but other days, I'm glad I didn't (I'm not much of a risk-taker).

My GI wants me to get off of Colazal completely for 2 weeks! He thinks that whatever problems I still have could be side effects of it. It kinda freaks me out to cut off a maintainance med! He also said I can wean off the rectal meds if I want, which I am more than happy to do so. We also think that the remaining problems could be IBS. I think I need to get my stress/anxiety under control--this disease has really taken a toll on me.

Hmm, artifical sweeteners? I used to drink Powerade every day but haven't done that since April; I've just had a bottle every once in a while. Occasionally I'll have a slice of pound cake or other baked goods. I've kept and am currently keeping a food diary, and haven't found any correlations.

Yep, I saw the GI yesterday. He wants me stop Colazal cold turkey. But I'll keep up with the rectal meds for now.

I'm feeling so horrible. I've already run to the bathroom 6 times today (along with slight urgency and pain) and I am exhausted. Actually, I'm exhausted all the time. This disease is so annoying.

Yep, I had stool samples done a few weeks ago. Everything is normal.

I don't know when I'll see my GI again. He wants me to call after a couple weeks to see how I'm doing without the Colazal. He also thinks that if the problem is not Colazal, then it's probably stress/anxiety/depression causing IBS symptoms. (I actually broke down crying at the appt.)

Today was horrible; I've been to the bathroom about 8 times and have been feeling a little naseous and bloated. Could skipping one day of Colazal cause this? Or could it be the fact that I've been feeling horrible emotionally the last 2 days?

I can deal with cramping and mucous, but the whole going to the bathroom 5+ times per day (esp. during the first half of the day) is driving me nuts. It's okay right now since I'm not in school, but I cannot imagine going back and doing that with classes and everything. Especially if I don't have a private room and since I'll have to get up 2 hours before my earliest class to make bathroom runs.

Thanks for all the advice and support, quincy. I really appreciate it! :)

Hi CD....I wouldn't say that 8 times a day would be IBS. Especially with it all happening in a short period of time.

If the doc thinks that the 5ASA is a problem, then completely stay off the Canasa as well...

I still think that trying the fibre supplement (metamucil or other if you prefer) can at least help with some of the bms by bulking them up....is it diarrhea or formed stool?

If you're having these many symptoms at this time...it seems that the Colazal is either a culprit or not helping you at all...some people cannot take any 5ASA meds or salicylates or they do absolutely nothing.

If you are salicylate sensitive, possibly checking into foods that contain salycilates and avoiding them might help....but you don't know yet if that's a problem.

I would call the doctor and set up an appointment anyway for maybe the 22nd or before that (before Christmas) or to find out if he's going on holidays at that time...just to set up something so that you know if he's going to be available...and to be guaranteed to have an appointment. Bad time of the year to be stuck if you're not feeling well..or to be making this kind of change.

I sure hope you make a turn around to feel better soon.

Oh, I don't know if I suggested dicyclomine...it's an antispasmodic...could help somewhat.

quincy

Hi...hairloss can be caused by so many things. Just having UC, stress, autoimmune disease, hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, adding meds..etc can exacerbate an already existing problem.

Are your periods up and down? Are you on birth control?

5ASA can stop working it seems from others' postings and symptoms. It could be that too high a dosage or not high enough might be a problem...don't know. Some formulations of 5ASA seem to do better for patients than others.


Artificial sweeteners come in a variety of products...one clincher would be the terms "lite","0 calories", "sugar reduced", "sugar-free", "calorie reduced"...etc.

For sure avoid aspartame, sucralose, and another one that looks like the word aspartame. There are also the sugar alcohols that have been discussed recently that end in "tol"...but I would accept sorbitol or xylitol in small amounts (like gum or cough syrup) over mannitol and others that I don't know off hand in food products. I'm a sugar consumer basically than artificial sweetener consumer. I never purchse low calorie or 0 calorie or any products without reading the labels..actually, I read the labels on everything. Everything.

V8 juice contains sugar and lots of salt if I remember correctly. There are other brands that have less ingredients that actually taste better. Learn to read the labels.

Any products for diabetics...stay away from.

Probably, it would be best to bake your own treats.

Remember, however, to consume good balance of food.

What fish oil are you taking and how much? Yeah, I'm sure I asked you that in the past.

Do call the doc soon for an appointment so that you're not stranded/left hanging during the holiday season.

The metamucil orange smooth (not the sugar-free) will help bulk up the stool. I take it after supper because I don't take any meds/vitamins at that time.

hope this helps...
quincy

Well, I called my GI today so hopefully I'll get a call back tomorrow.

I had less nausea and fewer BM's today, which was a nice break! But then I don't know what caused the last two days to be horrible...

My periods are fairly normal, other than the fact that I've had a lot of nausea during the last two. No, I'm not taking birth control. I took it for a couple months beginning of this year and I'm pretty sure that's what caused my flare...NEVER ever taking that stuff again! I'm taking 1000mg fish oil, which I think is by Nature's Bounty.

I hope I'm able to pinpoint what's blocking me from remission soon--I have five weeks before spring semester begins. Thanks again, quincy and emory!

Yes, have another feeling-better day, CD! Take good care, both of you --