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Flex Sigmoid tomorrow (first time)

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/22/2011 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all:

It's MyUC.  I haven't posted in a while.  I guess I haven't felt the urge or the need to.  Well tomorrow is a big day for me.  As most of you know I have been taking Imuran along with Canasa.  It has put me into remission.  I have a bm once every 1-2 days.  My doc started me on 200 mg of Imuran and it cleared up 95% of my colon within 6 months.  My last colonoscopy showed 98% healed with a little patch of inflammation in my rectum, about 5 cm.  Hence the added canasa.  I have been using the suppositories for about 8 months now.  I lowered the Imuran to 150 mg with my doc's blessing.  I have asked to lower it even more.  He said to have a flex sigmoid to take a peek at the rectum after using the canasa for a while.  So tomorrow is the day.  If it looks good he will consider lowering it to 100 mg.  I know I have UC but I like the idea of taking a localized med and not a systemic one.  At least a lower dose makes me feel better. 

I am a little nervous, I have never had a flex sigmoid, only colonoscopies.  Wish me luck.  I will post back after.

MyUC

 

Posted 6/22/2011 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Goodluck tomorrow. I've had 2 flex sigs. I am not going to lie to you, it's not fun. I've done it twice so it must not be so terrible that I would never do it again. If you're uncomfortable, just tell them and they will slow down or stop. Next time I am going to take an antianxeity beforehand.
Posted 6/22/2011 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MyUC,
Good luck...I have had 2 of them and they are not too bad especially if your Dr. has a gentle hand. I am glad you posted as I was wondering how you were doing. Glad all is still going well and let us know what you find out at the flex sig. Good luck!!!!!
B
Posted 6/22/2011 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck! It's not a fun procedure but it depends on how much air you get in you and how uncomfortable you are going to be. I've had about 10-15 (lost count) and I only had one that was extremely uncomfortable afterwards. I hope things go well and it shows good things! :)
Posted 6/22/2011 11:10 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for all the well wishes.  I have my doc whos seems well intentioned and overall a gental soul how the procedure will be.  He has told me to just take 2 fleet enemas 2 hours prior to the procedure.  He said it would take about 5 minutes and that there is no real post operative instructions.  Again this is my first time getting one. 

I will definitely post my results when I get home.  Sorry for the lag time since my last post.  It's just that my colitis is really in check and I don't think about as much.   Again thanks.

MyUC

Posted 6/23/2011 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
I lost count on those too. BREATHE OUT when they go in. If you relax it's rather easy. If you feel like you gotta release gas LET IT GO, gets sucked up in that contraption anyway and you don't tense up, lol.
Posted 6/23/2011 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
My first one was rough.
Posted 6/23/2011 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dsm4life.  I was just relaxing about it until I read your post.  No worries, I will just try to take some deep breadths and relax and take it like a good colitis patient.  I will post back later today.

Now I have to go take some fleet enemas.

MyUC

Posted 6/23/2011 10:29 PM (GMT 0)

I am back from my appt.  I went into Boston and had a flex sigmoidoscopy today.  Overall it wasn't that bad.  Doing a procedure with no sedation was a little wierd for me but it went well.  It took about 10 mins in total. 

Good news.  My colon was 95% healed from the Imuran this last October.  There was one stubborn patch in my rectum.  My doc added Canasa suppositories.  It has helped alot.  The patch is just about gone.  He also said I could lower my Imuran dosage to 100 mg.  I started at 200 mg about 2.5 years ago, he lowered it to 150 mg at my request.  No problems.  I then said my goal would be to have it even lower and just try to maintain with rectal meds if possible.  He said at my Oct 2010 appt that if the rectum looked better he would OK with that.  So, with his blessing I get to go down to 100mg. 

I did have a psuedo-polyp in the rectum.  Biopsy was taken and sent to path.  My doc explained that in areas where there is long standing colitis in the past it is normal and common to get a psuedo polyp.  It is just localized inflammation. 

I will follow up with him in person after 6 months.  He said I don't need a colonoscopy for about 2-3 years.  I asked him in the end if I have a healed colon and he said yes.  He said I am definitely in remission.

MyUC

Posted 6/23/2011 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hey MyUC,
That is great news!! You are a real Imuran success story and our go to guy with that medicine. So I am confused about one thing...I know your Dr. was on board w/ lowering the Imuran, but what did he say about maintaining on rectal meds only. Curious if he agreed with that approach.

Anyway great news, glad the procedure wasn't too bad and it is always comforting to know for sure that your colon is healed. Thanks for updating... I sometimes wonder how you are doing when you haven't popped in for a while..lol.
B
Posted 6/23/2011 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again,
Ok, just re-read you post...got it..maintain w/ rectal meds while being on the lower Imuran dose. Good luck also w/ the pseudo polyp..sounds like all will be fine based on what your doc said. Would your doc ever want you to be off of Imuran and try to maintain w/ the 5asa meds or is that off the table?
B
Posted 6/23/2011 10:57 PM (GMT 0)

not sure about that hateuc.  He definitely wants me on both oral and rectal, at this point imuran at 100mg is good and definitely canasa 3 times a week.  Only time will tell and then I may be able to go off Imuran and on an ASA med for the oral.  I will definitely keep you guys and gals in the loop.  Thanks for following my thread.

MyUC

Posted 6/24/2011 12:14 AM (GMT 0)

Just another quick update.  Got all the results of all the bloodwork just a few minutes ago.  CBC with diff, sed rate, crp, liver panel, renal panel, platelets all normal.  So all is well on the UC front.  I just wanted to share with the group here.  I don't want to be one of those people who just get up and leave when things are good.  Thanks to all  for your support.

MyUC


Posted 6/24/2011 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
Awesome news! I'm glad for you :)
Posted 6/24/2011 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
It all sounds good, I am so glad. I hope you will occasionally pop in here anyway though, you always have good input to offer.
Posted 6/24/2011 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
WooHoo!!! Definitely has been long in coming, but you've persisted and done what you needed to do.

I would suggest every second night for the Canasa for at least a month..then every third night or twice a week however you want to play it.

q
Posted 6/24/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of your comments.  Yes, Q the plan is for every other night for now and take it from there.  Yes, persistance can reap wonderful results.  I will be around, don't worry about forgetting this wonderful place.

MyUC

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