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How do you know it's time to start tapering Rowasa?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/16/2009 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

Tonight will be the end of my forth week of Rowasa. I am usually having 1 BM in the morning, kinda soft and fluffy, not really one whole solid one. No blood, no mucus and no urgency (I mean, if I let it go too long it gets urgent but not urgent like I was flaring). I do sometimes have a little twinge of left sided pain like I wish I could go maybe but then it's gone. In the evenings I feel kinda bloated and gassy but still no BM. I do the enema and go to bed. I do still have the feeling of pressure low in the rectum I guess sometimes...mainly in the evening but then the next morning its gone.

Now, when do I need to start tapering? I read on this board somewhere (sorry, I don't remember where) that some people find that the enemas start hurting if you do them every night while not flaring. So I don't want to get to that point either.

Any advice?
Posted 11/16/2009 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
I started tapering when I felt I'd been in remission for a few weeks. Somewhere between 2 and 4 weeks, but I can't remember for sure. Remission for me was off pred and 1-2 non-urgent, relatively well-formed BM's/day--I didn't care if I have "super-formed turds," because I never have. I think it's partly because I drink a LOT of water and eat very high-fiber foods. I went down to every other night for a few weeks (again, somewhere between 2 and 4), then dropped to twice weekly (Sunday and Thursday nights are my "chosen nights," and I move it around if I need to for some reason. For example, my 1 year old son was sick and running a fever on Thursday, and since I knew I'd likely be up with him, I pushed it back to Friday night.

It's really a personal decision on when and how to taper. We've all done different things. The most important thing to do is to go back up to nightly if you start to notice symptoms coming back as you drop off.
Posted 11/16/2009 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on the same boat on that one. I'm experiencing the same symptoms minus the left sided pain and the bowels are pretty solid. Haven't asked my GI about it yet but as of last week, he still wanted to refill the prescription.
Posted 11/16/2009 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
basically....if you are feeling "normal", take a few days to a week to continue the schedule of nightly, then taper to every second night for 2 - 4 weeks. If you feel "normal"..again, wait a week or so and then go to every third night...etc.

Just as a suggestion....mark the schedule on a calendar. That way, you won't have to remember and you have a documented schedule of your flares, taper schedule. You can cross them off as you do them....

quincy
Posted 11/17/2009 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Ok then...well besides the gassy feeling I feel totally normal....which is SOOOOOOO wonderful! I finished up my first set (4 weeks) last night so tonight I'll do my first of the next set and I'll start doing every other night.

But at the first sight/twinge/whatever of feeling 'not normal' I go back to nightly? Or give it a day to see what's up?

Thanks for holding my hand during this guys, much apprectiated!
Posted 11/17/2009 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
You're welcome....as you will find, it's an up and down thing. But, it can set you up for a very long time of a med regimen so that YOU can deal with your symptoms instead of waiting to see the doc every time.

Yes, if you've been feeling normal for the past week, then go to every second night.

The gas can be from the combo of the probiotic and metamucil. As well...it could be food/drink related.

If you regress....go back to nightly.

I've tried tapering fast, slow, slower....your body will tell you what to do.

I've had a setback with external hemorrhoids and fissures, and the lesson of reflaring is humbling. I went back to nightly and will stay for another week. I'm majorly ticked, but by arse is boss! Now, my flares are very, very mild, but once I have the clincher symptoms, it's obvious and I cannot afford to wait.

Lesson...deal with everything early....I'm still adjusting to a new issue that isn't going away by ignoring it. As we age, new stuff comes up. Sucks.

quincy
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