Diagnosed today

The Rowasa will help, and you should also be on an oral 5ASA such as Asacol to help above the rectum to remain calm.

You might not have to remain on the Rowasa forever.....but it is a med that should be used nightly till your flare is over and then tapered to a maintenance dosage.

I would suggest you start probiotics, fibre supplements and eat as healthily as possible. I have my vices as well, but not in the category of being a junk-food addict.


I hope your doc takes at least 5 biopsies from each section in your colon....that will give you the perfect baseline for future screening.

Welcome to the forum. Others will give you tons of advice.

Oh, and if the doc suggests prednisone....run!

quincy

1. Will I have to take Rowasa forever? I read that most people take maintenance meds forever. Is Rowasa a maint. med? Doctor told me today that when I come for my colonoscopy we will need to talk about what medicine to start taking.
--Yes, Rowasa is a maintenance med, and you should always be on some sort of maintenance medication. Like quincy suggesed, though, you should probably also be on an oral medication. I am in remission and use Apriso (oral mesalamine) every day, and mesalamine enemas (generic Rowasa) twice a week. Studies show that people who use enemas twice weekly in additon to oral meds stay in remission for longer periods than people who only use oral meds.

2. I am an avid runner. Is this something I will have to stop or at least slow down?
Only if you feel too weak to do it. Exercise is good!

3. Anything else I should ask my doctor when I go back in a month.
You should ask about the extent of your UC (how far through the colon it is/was), and what his treatment plan is. Also, I'd get a feel for how willing he is to let you help make decisions about medications and your treatment plan. I personally wouldn't go to a GI who feels I should just sit back and let him make all of the decisions. I've read a lot about UC and the different treatment options, and definitely want to discuss it with him.

4. Any other supplements that I should take?
I'd get your vitamin D checked....a lot of us on here are low, and found that increasing it helped. Plus, it's just good for overall health.

You don't *have* to have a BM before using the rowasa if you don't feel you need to poop! Now that I'm in remission, I'll sometimes have BM after dinner, but never any later than that. So it's been at least 3 or 4 hours after having a BM that I use the enema, and I don't have any problems retaining it. He's right in that the oral meds aren't as effective as the rectal, but the rectal meds can only reach so high, and if your UC is higher than that, it's not doing any good.

Welcome! My symptoms started with bleeding only as well. I was also told that my problem was primarily in the rectum and only extended a few centimeters past the rectum however it has been terribly hard for me to stay in remission. I think part of that was caused because I was not put on maintenance medications right away and I got much worse over time. I also was only on rectal meds when needed. I wish I had been put on an oral mesalamine back when my symptoms first started. It took my doctor almost a year to put me on an oral mesalamine. My doctor was very conservative with medications - actually too conserative. I really like him and stayed with him too long. I have very recently switched GI doctors. Oral mesalamine has little to no side effects for most people. I have been on it for almost three years with no side effects. I would make sure that your doctor has experience with UC patients. Many don't and are not up to date on the most recent research in medications and treatments. I really hope you are able to keep this under control. I am doing much better now so it is possible!

Sounds like you have a good start on things. I'll second or third the Vitamin D levels that a few mentioned. I have found adding in the fiber to be beneficial too.

I'm definitely ecstatic to hear your doc started you on the Rowasa firstly, and he's correct that it's the most concentrated dosage to the area first to flare and the least to heal.

But, you need to be covered above that area with a low dosage of oral 5ASA as well...I only take 6 Asacol, same pretty much over 21 years....my flares are only limited to the rectum now, and I want to keep it that way.

As well....5ASA is also believed to help prevent colon cancer....a good thing for UCers, even if it's just limited to the rectum. Cheap insurance...OK, not $$ cheap, just no big deal taking them. They work well for me, but not for everyone....Apriso seems to be a good one with a low dosage...something to consider.

It should be both oral and rectal. Oral a constant lower maintenance dosage, rectal meds increased during a flare and TAPERED to a maintenance dosage. I think the twice a week idea is best....some, however, are able to get off them altogether.

I find maybe men would have an easier time maybe with NO periods to contend with and hormone fluctuations.

Regarding running.....extreme exercise or exertion continually...and that can include stress...can increase autoimmune reactions. I would think that if you learn how to deal with your flares in a wise (oral/rectal) regimen, and if you can use 5ASA meds....they will serve you for a very long time.

I'm still using them 21 years later....a good track-record. That means consistency and faithfulness....we all find out what works for us. My goal is to avoid the big-gun meds, and prednisone is included in that group. I've not used it and would only concede to a short course tapered off in 2 weeks.
I dread the day the meds don't work for me. I'm fortunate I tolerate salicylates very well.

I think if you use the Rowasa for the month and see your doc, you'll be fine. You'll give it a good treatment and it will treat the entire sigmoid. Some UCers believe it can go higher....better yet for you.

I had lots of ups and downs the first year. It took me over 2 years to figure out the meds and the 3rd year I had it down to a science. I discovered the butt rules and no matter how ticked I get about it.....suck it up, eventually it'll heal and just use the meds.

Be well...
quincy