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People with left-sided colities, NEED HELP!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/31/2008 4:57 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, everyone! I'm just doing survey for myself. I've been on generic Calazol 2x5 for a 6 month now, and it seems it's not working (but my GI said it's the best for left side). My question is: People with left side colitis, what meds or vitamins do you take and what does put you in remission??? Any diet to follow? (I have horrible constipation, so some diets suggested here is making it even worth!)

 

P.S. Has anyone had Left-sided which spread within whole system after while?

Posted 12/31/2008 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...I'm not on Colazal, but my UC original diagnosis was limited up into the sigmoid (so, not left-sided).   Yes, there are some whose has continued upward....

You really should consider rectal meds...the constipation can very well be a symptom of low in the rectum inflammation.  The Colazal should help the spread of it upward. 

When was your last c-scope?

Are you having any other symptoms?

What type of diet are you following at this time and what foods seem to make it worse for you?

Are you using any fibre supplements?

You could consider to take a stool softener...I don't remember how many times a day it suggests, but that will help at least with the discomfort of the constipation.

You could also have IBS...which constipation is a symptom as well.

Can you not take rectal meds?

q

Posted 1/1/2009 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
I have left sided colitis. I take Asocal 12 pills a day and right now I am on prednisone (tapering) for a flare. Prednisone, Asocal, and Rowasa and Hydrocortisone as needed is what has worked for me in the past with flares. I am keeping my fingers crossed this time. I am also experimenting with Probotic enemas while I'm on my conventional medication.( I am tired of the prescription route). I just purchased the Listen to Your Gut book. Also, my colitis has not spread to the whole intestine that I know of.... but I did start out with Ulcerative Proctitis so it has spread from that to Left-sided colitis. So unfortunately who knows it could spread or not? We are all so different with this disease.

My doctor never mentioned to me that Colazal would be a good med for my left-sided colitis, but does it have sulfur in it? If yes that may be a reason why he wouldn't because I have had a possible allergic reaction to it in the past and he does not want to take the risk of me having a reaction.
Posted 1/1/2009 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
If you can do rectal meds then I highly suggest then as well. I have left sided but fortunately Colazal has been nice to me :) I was on Asacol for years and then my body decided that it didn't like the mesalamines including the rectal meds. But I'm wondering, have you ever tried the brand name Colazal? Some people have better results with the brand name as opposed to the generic.

Mjw, no Colazal does not contain sulfa. I am also allergic to sulfa and I have been on Colazal now for 3 years. Also too my GI mentioned that Colazal is designed for left siders because the release mechanism in Colazal is desigend to disperse to the left side as opposed to Asacol which opens around the beginning of the colon. That is why some left siders have better success with Colazal then Asacol.
Posted 1/1/2009 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have left-sided.  I am on Colazal....in my signature.  My GI gave me the generic and it did not work, once he switched me back to the name brand stuff, I was fine.  I also take probiotic, fish oil, bee propolis, multivitamin and fiber supplements.  Look into the name brand stuff, I know it was a big difference for me.

Posted 1/1/2009 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried using rectal meds in addition to the Colazal? Rowasa and Asacol have helped me. I had pancolitis when first diagnosed, but I'm sure it would probably help with left-sided colitis, too. If constipation is an issue for you, have you tried taking a soluble fiber supplement like metamucil on a daily basis?
Posted 1/1/2009 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Colazal was my break-through med in 2003 for treating left-sided UC. I've been able to stay in remission much longer thanks to it; however, it can give you constipation if you don't drink plenty of water all day while taking it. Try to drink at least 4 oz. every hour. Eating raw or steamed (as tolerated) veggies can also help the C problem. Rowasa use results in looser bms generally, in my experience; maybe it would enable you to lower the no. of Colazal capsules you take daily to 6 or less, which in turn would solve your C problem. Mainly be aware that you need to keep yourself well-hydrated for the med to work optimally over time. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 original Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)
Posted 1/2/2009 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
i'm left sided as well, colozal worked wonders for me...once i started the generic it did not work for me. i am now in humira and lialda. lialda works great! im totally impressed. i do use canasa a few times a week as well.
Posted 1/2/2009 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
For several years mine was considered left sided, now it involves 3/4 of my colon.  Azulfidine worked best for me when first diagnosed and continues to work best for me now.
Posted 1/2/2009 1:12 AM (GMT 0)

The generic colazal does not work as well as the brand name for many people.  I switched to generic a few months back - and starting exhibiting symtoms.  Told my doctor and now he writes the prescription DAW - and I only get the brand.  Within a few days of being back on the brand I was back under control.  My GI said that he has had many patients tell him this about the generic. 

Also - as many people have said before - rectal meds are the way to go when trying to get a flare under control.  Rowasa is great.  If you can't hold an enema at least try a suppository - like Canasa.

Posted 1/2/2009 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much, everybody! i will definitely switch form generic to Colazal. With Rowasa is have a little bit a problem...It makes me feel boated. May be i should try suppository.
Does anyone take vitamin B12? Does it do anything?
Posted 1/2/2009 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I used take B-12 and while it didn't help my Uc it gives me a little more pep for the day.
Posted 1/2/2009 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Question to those of you who take Colazol? How many Mgs do you take per day. This maybe something better for me since I also have left-sided colitis and it has no sulfa in (Thanx Red_34!) it,but I need to get an average on the mg to see how it would affect my breast milk.
Posted 1/2/2009 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
I take 750mgs 3x3 a day so 9 total. 9 is the average dosing but some people can't do the full dosing such as Old Hat and some people can go as high as 12 a day but that is a rarity.
Posted 1/2/2009 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
I take 750mgs 2x5 generic, but I'm thinking if I go on brand name, I'll try 2x4...(really tiered of swallowing these gigantic pills)
Posted 1/2/2009 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Spluxa-- 10 Colazal capsules daily is a high dose. I think you should be on 6-9 max, especially if you have constipation. When was your last c-scope? Variable dosing is possible with (original) Colazal once one gets to remission; my gastro agreed to let me try it so I'd recommend that you discuss it with your doc at next appointment. There are several of us here reporting problems with the generic: me, doors12, lemonhead, Kelina, & KTM so far-- plus my gastro says many patients are complaining about Watson generic especially. RE vitamins: you might want to look into Forvia, designed for IBD patients. Many members here report good results from it. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 1/2/2009 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
Old Hat, thank you very much. i started generik 8 per day, and then my GI increased it to 10. Really, no difference. I also tried VSL#3, no effect...that's why I want try 8 Colazole brand per day. Hopefully, I'll see resoults :-)
Posted 1/2/2009 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Spluxa-- you are absolutely right to try the brand name Colazal. The usual recommended daily dosing for it is 3 capsules with main meals. Good luck & let us know how it works for you. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
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