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New to UC and Confused about Remission

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/20/2011 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I was put into the hospital on 5/14 for bloody loose stool. After a the tests I have been diagnosed with UC. I am now on Asacol 400mg x2 3 times a day and Mesalamine enemas at night for 40 nights. I am still having loose stool and blood. I am having problems understanding this disease. Is the medicine suppose to stop the loose stool and blood? This low residue diet should help as well, but nothing seems to be working. I can't go to work because I am in the bathroom too much to be there. Will I always be on the medicine? I have no insurance and can't get help to pay for it, any suggestions?
Posted 5/20/2011 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I can understand your frustration. This disease is different for everyone, and doctors don't understand why. They don't even know why we get this disease. Pay attention to your body, find out where in the colon your inflammation is and how bad it is, research treatments...

Is the medicine supposed to stop the loose stools and blood? Yes. Does it? Not always.

Even if the meds work, your doctor will probably want you to take some form of maintenance medicine for the remainder of your life. Most people do take the medicine. Some of us go against our doctor's advise and don't. I'm one of those who has chosen not to take daily meds, not because of the expense, but because the medicine isn't good for the liver and kidneys in the long run. But if you need it to keep from flaring, then there isn't much you can do. They are much safer than many of the other meds that are given to treat UC.

See if your doctor will prescribe rectal suppositories. I find they work better than oral medicine when the flare is near the rectum.

Post Edited (subdued) : 5/19/2011 7:26:13 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/20/2011 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...welcome to the forum!

The meds you're on are what you should be on initially...I assume you mean 4 nights and not 40.

Where exactly is your UC...limited (to where) or throughout?

Hang tough regarding the meds...you should notice some improvement over the next 2 weeks and should stay on the nightly enemas until you're "normal". Then taper to every second night.

Yes, they're expensive.

I've used the oral/rectal mesalamine for over 22 years and will continue forever. Your doc should check your blood at least twice a year.

q
Posted 5/31/2011 7:53 PM (GMT 0)

Well thank you for your responses! No it is 40 enemas, once a night for 40 nights. Not sure why. They do tend to help though. I have still not seen my GI doctor since he did the colonoscopy when I was in the hospital.

I am not sure where it is exactly located. First it was left side pain with right side swelling than after the scope it was all over in the colon. The medicine is working which is great! The nurse at my GI doctor told me to stick to the low residue diet, problem is I am a fast food eater and have been my whole life. I work 3 jobs and I'm in school. Cooking time is hard to find right now. Yes I know this was stress triggered and it's obvious why with all the stuff I am doing, but without insurance I have to find a way to pay for the medicine and the jobs were just barely keeping me a float with the pay cuts I had to take just to find a job.

I have added Zantac 75 to my daily medicines and Gas-X as needed (it's been awful). It helps with the acid for sure and helps me to sleep at night. I am sticking to this low residue diet but I haven't been having any problems since about 3 days after I got out of the hospital. So it's been one and a half weeks with only gas as a problem. The side effects are starting on the medicine. I am having itchy dry scalp, things are tasting funny, gas pains, kidney pains with drinking less than 99 oz of water a day, and fatigue.

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