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Friday the 13th colonoscopy

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/13/2009 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Well I survived the colonoscopy this morning!  The prep wasn't as horrible as I thought it was going to be and the test itself was a piece of cake.  I was pretty relaxed but I stayed awake and watched the whole thing on the tv screen. 

He said it is definitely colitis.  He took several biopsies to try to determine the cause.  He has stared me on asacol.  2 tabs 3X's a day.  He has also put me on rowasa once a day at night. 

Does anyone have any information on these drugs?

Posted 2/13/2009 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Both of those are 5ASA meds (mesalamine)- typical first line of defense for UC.  Make sure you take the Rowasa enemas - even though they are gross at first to use - they really work wonders.

Posted 2/13/2009 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Asacol and Rowasa for awhile. The Asacol will help the upper part of your colon and the rowasa will help the lower part and rectum. I agree with KTM, Rowasa is really helpful and starts helping within a few days.

I hope they both work really well for you.
Posted 2/13/2009 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Those are the drugs I use, except for when I also need prednisone.

Wasn't it fascinating? My doc now knocks me out completely and shows me the photos later but I used to think it was cool when I was kept awake enough to see it all.
Posted 2/14/2009 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
     Wasn't it painful?  Were you sedated?  I sure hope so.
Posted 2/14/2009 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
I was pretty sedated. Didn't feel a thing!! BUt, I am pretty stuborn and once I saw I could watch on the sceen I forced myself to stay awake.

I am feeling a bit down tonight. I guess up until today I was still holding out hope it was something that could be cured and not something I am going to have to fight the rest of my life (even though I had a good feeling going in what it was). Just knowing for sure is a little depressing.

Any advice on how to give myself the enema. Never had to do one before.
Posted 2/14/2009 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
Lay on your side and slowly inch the enema in as you slowly squirt. Once it's comfortably in, squirt it little by little. After you've finished putting it in, lie with your knees on the ground and your ass up with your arms and head on the ground (almost as though you're praying in a mosque). After 15 minutes, lie on your left side with your right knee bent upward and your left leg straight for another 15 minutes. This will allow the medicine to all the necessary parts of your colon.

Hey, please heed this advice if you want to avoid the problems that many people on this board (myself included) endure. Quit alcohol for awhile, look into changing your diet dramatically if you haven't already, and look into alternative medicine or therapies with no chemical side effects.

If sounds as though you have a very mild case and if you're smart about your health, you could eradicate this problems or subdue it. If you're not smart about nipping it in the bud now, you could end up on drugs with side effects and huge insurance bills for the next 10-20-30 years of your life.

Asacol has the least side effects of all the colitis meds, but it ain't cheap. Seriously, I would love to be in your shoes now as I'm taking 12 Asacol daily, acupuncture, chinese herbs, a pentasa enema nightly, probiotics, and an occasional cort enema. Not to mention a strict diet, and I'm already a pretty thin guy.

Seriously, do what you can to become drug free and I promise you'll be happier for it. Just do it sensibly and don't stop the drugs until your body can stand on it's own. I'm sorry, I'm not a doctor, I'm just telling you what I wish I'd done for myself years ago.

Good luck!

Post Edited (jone bone) : 2/13/2009 6:37:39 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/14/2009 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jone bone. I appreciate any advice given here! I'm not looking forward to using this tonight. Still sore from the colonoscopy this morning. Luckily I have never been a drinker so not having alcohol is not an issue for me. I guess it is time to start researching foods and their effects.

I couldn't believe the cost of just these two meds. Total cost was $412.00 which luckily insurance paid all by $80.

I appreciate everyones advice and so thankful for these boards.
Posted 2/14/2009 2:49 AM (GMT 0)

Hope the mesalamine medications work for you - it is a great combination.  I believe they would have worked for me but I could not "tolerate" them.  I fyou have problems or worsening symptoms talk to you doctor - there are many alternatives - medications to try, etc.

Good luck!

ElaineNY

Posted 2/14/2009 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
There have been several good thread about using enemas. I think the most important thing is to get the extra air out first! And put an old towel under you because if you drip some it can stain.

I don't do cortortionist positions, just lay on my left side with the top knee bent up, slip it in from behind, squeeze out the medicine, then stop squeezing, relax for a little bit, and you'll find it will slip right out. Then stay in that position until you feel any urgency subside. Oh, I guess you're supposed to try to do it in bed so you can stay on your side for 30 minutes, but I admit I get up and jump into bed. You might feel some urgency feelings come over you for a little while, but for me it eventually subsides so try to hold it in if you can.

Good luck! It's an adventure!
Posted 2/14/2009 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Peety,

I did my first enema last night. It wasn't to horrible. Like you I did it in the bathroom and then jumped up and ran into bed. I was able to hold out with the urgency.

You guys here are wonderful!!
Posted 2/14/2009 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Risan, I have been living with ulcerative colitis for 23 years now. I take the Asacol 400mg 3x twice a day. I also have used the Rowasa enemas for a flare, I love them, they heal what the Canasa 1000mg suppositories don't. Glad your colonoscopy is over. I had one back on the 6th of February. Granted you cannot get rid of colitis but it can be controlled. Mine was under control for many years up until a few years ago, and I've had several flares in the rectal area primarily on and off over the past two years. My stress levels have been up a good deal over the past two years due to other health issues, and that probably has not helped things with me.

Posted 2/14/2009 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
stress is definitely a precursor to my flares. without fail when other aspects of my life hit the fan my guts stop cooperating as well.
One side effect I just found out about with Asacol is that it can impact the effect of other drugs (6-MP) in my case on liver function...
i've been on Asacol for years...i just started 6-MP and my doc pulled me off Asacol FAST! a week later my liver results are looking better already but he still wants to monitor.
of course now without the asacol my guts are not doing as well.

jone bone you mentioned herbs...what herbs do you take? on the crohn's forum someone mentioned lingzhi- a mushroom used in China for over 4000 years. I googled it and it looks very safe. i think i'm going to try to find some today.
Posted 2/15/2009 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
You have to go to a Chinese doctor and let him or her make you a blend depending on what's needed for your particular case. I've had different blends and not all the doctors agree on the best route.
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