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How long before bleeding stops?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/12/2010 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I am new to the forum. I am having my 1st flare up after being in remission for about 25 years. I think it started due to taking antibiotics.



I have been on Casasa once a day before bedtime and currently up to 4 sulfasalazine tablets per day. Doc started on 1 a day and will be up to 6 a day in a few days.



I am still bleeding but only have 1 or 2 bm's a day now with some blood and mucous. How long does it usually take to have the bleeding stop on meds. I beleive I have ulc. proctitis. Had a colonoscopy about 3 months ago and everything looked great w/no signs of colitis. This all started shortly after the colonoscopy.



Any help would be so appreciated. I am starting to freak out a little bit!

I just put a title to your post

Post Edited By Moderator (Red_34) : 12/12/2010 12:43:08 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/12/2010 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi..welcome to the forum!

I think regarding the rectal suppositories, you should try them at least twice a day. Make sure your prescription reflects that you can use more than that.

Do you have the results of your biopsies? I would suggest you get a copy.

How far up in cms in your UC?

It'll take a while for the meds to kick in. I don't think the rectal meds are enough dosage....you could call the doc and see if he can prescribe the retention enemas...a 4g dosage of Rowasa and that might kick its butt.

quincy
Posted 12/12/2010 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hello & welcome :)

I am surprised the GI put you on Sulfasalazine over one of the newer drugs like Asacol or Lialda. What is the dose of the pills you're taking? 4 pills isn't a lot but it doesn't sound like your symptoms are too severe. You could try increasing the Canasa to twice a day. When I started Asacol (similar to sulfasalazine), I started on 9 pills/day and I was able to heal my symptoms in a week or so. I was in a pretty severe flare up at the time and I was also using Canasa morning and evening. The enemas are great but I find they are very hard to retain when you have inflammation in your rectum.

I hope you get some relief quickly!
Posted 12/12/2010 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for both of your quick replys. The results of my biopsies were negative. The colonoscopy was done when I was having diarrhea but before the bleeding started. My doc only gave me Canasa once daily. It worked for a few days and then the bleeding started again.
I called him and asked for the sulfasaline because that is what helped me before. Then I was given Rowasa and was put on 3 500mg of sulfa. a day and it helped right away.

I was told to start slowly on the sulfasalize this time and I will be up to 6 a day in a few days. I remember when I had the Rowasa during my initial flare up i beleive it stopped the bleeding almost immediately. I think I will call him tomorrow and see if he can prescribe the Rowasa again.

I just want it to stop. I just started a new job after being unemployed for 2 years and I can't deal with this right now!!

Thanks again
Posted 12/12/2010 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
welcome and congrats on the job! remission for 25 years is impressive. any tips to share with us?
Posted 12/12/2010 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
I was just lucky I guess! I stayed on the sulfasalazine 500mg. I took 2 in the morning and 1 in the evening plus a folic acid supplement. I stopped taking all meds about 2 years ago and was fine until recently. I can't beleive it's back.
Posted 12/12/2010 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
We've been told to never go off our meds. Never includes 25 years without a flare. You've done so well in all those years. Keep up the good work.
Posted 12/13/2010 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I know, I learned my lesson! Do probiotics really help?
Posted 12/13/2010 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome! Wow - 25 years....!

We seem to respond to different things.....probiotics helps me immensely. I am doing really well right now - "almost" remission, I would guess - but last week I forgot my VSL for a few days, and I saw blood on the TP 2 days ago, and had a little tum discomfort. So I've restarted at twive a day (VSL DS, the prescription only Double Strength) and.... I'm doing better.
Others find that probiotics do not do much for them. We are all different.

I would try some, if I were you.... and upping eh rectal meds seems like a good idea. I hope you get back into that remission soon!!
Posted 12/13/2010 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
The other good reason to keep taking mesalamine as maintenance is that it has been shown in studies to protect against colon cancer.
Posted 12/13/2010 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Songlady. I will try some probiotics, probably over the counter. I am calling my doc tomorrow to see if I can get some Rowasa.
Posted 12/13/2010 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
Use good probiotics....The ones I use are in my signature. There is also Culturelle over the counter...good ones to try I think if you're not interested in what I'm using.

q
Posted 12/13/2010 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am glad to have you on these forums Shiloh. 25 years of remission (with 23 years of medication free) is absolutely impressive. Gives hope to all of us. Try not to panic too much (though I know it is hard not too hehe) because that can possibly exacerbate the symptoms and even lead to IBS.

Either way, you are doing the right thing and actively nailing the sucker on the head. Well done.
Posted 12/13/2010 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
While on canasa I bleed for like 6-7 months. The enemas stopped the bleeding in days. I have UP.
Posted 12/14/2010 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
It can get so bad that you will ask that question in the short term. I read here that someone said to stand up when going to the can. When the bleeding was all day I found it just would not stop so I stood up, that seemed to signal something to the gut to get on with it.

As for the question in the long term, I normally get it under control within 1-2 months.
Posted 12/14/2010 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
HI All, called the doc today. Spoke with the nurse. Said no for now for Rowasa. Said sulfasalazine, 2 3x a day should be enough to stop the bleeding. Said if I am still bleeding after being on 6 a day for 2 weeks, then they can prescribe the Rowasa.
Posted 12/14/2010 6:31 AM (GMT 0)
but you're still on the suppositories...right?

q
Posted 12/15/2010 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Last night for the suppositories, then 6 sulfasalazine's per day.
Posted 12/15/2010 6:54 AM (GMT 0)
Why are you off the supps totally now?
Can you not continue the prescription?

If the doc told you to stop them....it's a stupid decision.

sigh,
q
Posted 1/3/2011 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I've been on the sulfasalzine, 6 per day for almost 3 weeks now. Was doing ok but still a little blood and mucous. That is, until today. I had a tiny bit of a salad last night and today I started again with blood and mucous, more so than the last few weeks. This is so depressing. No pain except a bloated feeling and beside the mucous, I feel constipated. What is going on? Does anyone think that maybe I should try different meds. I'm calling the doc again tomorrow to see if he will call in Rowasa for me. From what I remember from my last flare 25 years ago, is that it worked well and fast.
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