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Cramping - New Symptom

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/18/2011 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
Q - Split the dosage today and will continue to do so, we'll see.  Had cramps off/on from 9:00 a to 1:00 p today.  Did not coincide w/BMs. 

Thinking about Colazal as I seen posts that indicate some folks did better on this than Lialda or other meds that requires a certain gut ph to dissolve properly.  The coating is off the pill, just the whole white center is what I've been seeing.  Had the same issues with seeing whole pills when I was on the Asacol too.  Took Apriso for about 10 months, but started the flare from which I have never really returned to my previous level of remission. 

Thanks for all your input!

Posted 7/18/2011 5:55 AM (GMT 0)
That's weird about seeing just the white centre because the coating is supposed to split and as it travels down the colon, it "spills" out.

Do you have any antispasmodics? they're a must for me. I use dicyclomine...started with 10mg and upped it probably 6 years ago to 20mg.

Colazal is a good option...different 5ASA. Definitely worth trying another type. Bacteria causes the coating to release the medication...so with you taking probiotics, that could help a lot.

One interesting thing happened to me during my last c-scope. I took the Asacol in the morning, the day of my clean-out, but not at night or the morning of my scope.
During the scope we saw one lonely Asacol pill split open and just sitting there. That was the weirdest thing that it wasn't cleaned out from the gallon prep. I think it was sort of stuck to the side of the colon. I could see the medication around it.

Cool stuff happens in there sometimes..lol.

q
Posted 7/18/2011 10:18 AM (GMT 0)
Q - Thanks... Guess I figured I'm seeing the pill since things seem to be moving pretty quickly. 

Doc prescribed Levsin.  I've taken it a few times and it seems to take the edge off, but doesn't stop the cramps. 

I know the probiotics populate the gut with good bacteria, but I'm unsure as to what "symptoms" they help with or what results I should be seeing from them.  Guess what I'm asking is "how do I know if they are working".  What positive results should I look for?

Thanks again.

Posted 7/18/2011 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
insofla, my gastro wouldn't do the allergy test for me because he said diet has very little to do with colon health. i was pretty annoyed to be honest but i found a place that will do it for me. only problem is that it's $250 and i really depended on my insurance covering it. i will get it done soon though.
Posted 7/18/2011 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
PFC...I've not used Levsin, but others have. You could ask for a script for the dicyclomine and see if that works better. Remember...options.

Regarding the probiotics....you need them. Changes you can see? maybe better digestive health in general, protection from foreign invaders since you are already compromised, possibly having your meds work better, depending on what else is going on in there..if things are a bit out of whack..maybe the probiotics will help.

I have never questioned whether I should take them or not....I just know they're a good thing, and I've had more consistent bowel health in general.

I did a search on the different kinds of probiotics and came up with the ones that I use. pb4 was the one who introduced the reuteri and i've had no problems with them..so I take them in conjunction with the others.

I do take them at night....for if I do take them during the day, I'll have some discomfort and gas.

q
Posted 7/20/2011 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
Just an update....

Had my flex sig yesterday and seems my UC has moved up the left side and possibly further.  Since the flex six only goes so far, doc could not see exactly how far it has extended. 

This explains the cramps/D which I have been experiencing. 

 

Posted 7/20/2011 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Oh,not good. What did the doc offer regarding med options?

q
Posted 7/21/2011 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry to hear this. Unforetunately, this was my recent experience, too. At least now we can move forward with a more effective treatment plan. What is your doc suggesting?
Posted 7/21/2011 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Q/cgjk - 20 mg Prednisone for two weeks.  Inflammation was mild.  She felt inflammation has just started developing.  Recto/sigmoid was very mildly inflammed.  Guess Rowasa/Canasa is helping in this area but not above where it reaches. 

Not at all happy about Prednisone, but hoping this will get ahead of it.  Hope I don't have to bump to a higher dosage.  Need to see doc after biopsy results come in and will discuss changing 5ASA...

Posted 7/21/2011 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi PFC. Sorry to hear about your recent flex sig results. I think your GI wants to get you quickly into remission considering he has prescribed Pred. Thanks for keeping us up to date.
Posted 7/21/2011 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hope you are better.

I'm actually in the hopsital right now since my urgency and cramping increased while on pred. It turns out I had C diff. After dose of antibiotics I am doing better.


FYI- I also had an off/on fever as a side effect.
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