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Saw Primary today....starting anxiety meds, foam ? and possible pred. induced diabetes.

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/27/2011 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all! I have been having some panic attacks and overall anxiety related to UC (and some other stuff). Decided it was time to get started on something. My primary gave me Lexapro. She also gave me lorazepam to hold me over until the Lexapro kicks in. Thinks I need to start seeing a therapist as well (a good idea!).

I also brought up I am up and down all night urinating. She did bloodwork and urine to check to see if I have pred. induced diabetes. I am off the oral pred. so hopefully this will resolve. I am still on steroid rectal meds.

We also discussed everything going on w/ my UC. My GI has actually been sending her a letter every time I see him. We talked about me trying the foam over the enemas for awhile. Anyone have an opinion on that? She also said she was concerned about the thinning of my rectal lining as I have been on the enemas for 5 1/2 weeks.

I think that's about it. Whew...slightly overwhelmed (good time for anxiety meds or what?!?!). I see my GI mid September.
Posted 7/27/2011 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
6mp makes me pee a lot more often. I wouldn't be surprised if Azathioprine does too...

I don't think 5 and a half weeks is too worrisome but you don't want to use them for TOO long continuously. I like the foam because it's very easy to retain, even if you use it in the morning. I never used cortenemas but I would imagine they are higher dose?

Are you seeing any improvement?

I am happy you got some anxiety meds. I hope they help you!
Posted 7/27/2011 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
pink1,

She also said she was concerned about the thinning of my rectal lining as I have been on the enemas for 5 1/2 weeks.

Sorry, can someone explain this ... I don't understand it...I didn't think enemas had any real side effects?

Posted 7/28/2011 9:46 AM (GMT 0)
Ditto - if someone could explain about the enemas. Is thinning of the rectal wall specific to hydrocortisone enemas? I am on Pentasa (mesalazine) enemas ans have been told I could stay on them for a long time with no side effects.
Posted 7/28/2011 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
She told me so much information but I definitely remember that statement standing out. I had asked her how long I could be on the steroid enemas (as I'm about week 5 1/2 now). She said there is a fine line between getting them to work and tapering before they thin the rectal lining. Again this was my internist not my GI. I was there to deal w/ the anxiety stuff and I brought up the enemas b/c I was interested in switching to the foam. She is pretty good about calling in meds for me and brought up foam to save call to GI to get him to call it in. Hopefully someone else can call in and clarify about the enemas. Oh and this is steroid enemas. Not rowasa.

So guess my explaination isn't really much help!

Notsosicklygirl.....No I'm not really seeing any improvement. I was doing better 3 weeks ago than I am today. I had my first mucus accident in years this am. Thank you humbling disease.....
Posted 7/28/2011 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey pink, just an FYI- if you have developed pred induced diabetes, it should go away once you are off pred. But, this means you really need to get off it for good ASAP. I was in the same boat, had to check my blood sugars 2-3x a day, & my PCP discussed taking insulin if need be. You bet I was thrilled with that... not! Not another med! Thankfully, in about 2-3 months time, my blood sugars leveled out once I was off prednisone. It does however make you more prone to developing diabetes later in life, if you develop it from prednisone use. Now I'm a little freaked out about this "rectal wall thinning"- I figured I could keep using my cortenemas 2-3x a week forever! So over this, I have a scope in August, & truth be told, if it comes back showing dysplasia, I'll gladly be calling the surgeon. Well, maybe not "gladly", but.... with some measure of relief. That's a pretty telling sentiment, no?

Posted 7/28/2011 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have been off the pred. for 2 weeks. Thanks for the info on the steroid diabetes. The nurse just called and said preliminary tests showed consistency with kidney stones??? They are still waiting on 2 more diabetes tests.

Now I"m worried I heard her wrong about rectal wall thinning. Let me do some research. Don't want to freak anyone out!!!!

Eva...are you still on humira? That's my next step...I think.
Posted 7/28/2011 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
I am still on Humira- I just did a shot yesterday. I've been on it for 18 months now, bi-weekly. I really like it, much better than Remicade- the dosing schedule is better, it's easier to administer, & I seem to have gotten better relief with Humira. Things aren't great- I do have bad days, but overall, things are middle-of-the-road for me. Are you not able to use Remicade?

Posted 7/28/2011 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
It's specifically the steroid enemas that cause thinning. I tried them when I was flaring last year and my doctor wanted me to be on them as short a time as possible. Hydrocortisone cream will thin your skin eventually if you use it constantly, too. I don't know exactly how it works but I've heard that from several doctors and pharmacists. I have also heard accounts of people needing a colectomy and not being able to have their pouch for a j-pouch formed until they had been off of prednisone for a long time and their tissues had had time to return to normal. Steroids are really hard on the body. ;o(
Posted 7/28/2011 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
 

Thanks to all who cleared up the issue about rectal lining thining.

It's good to know you guys know, because I'm not sure the doc have told their patients.

 

Posted 7/28/2011 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
My GI is leaning towards humira for the convenience for me. I see him again late Sept. to make a decision whether to start it or not.

Eva Lou said...
I am still on Humira- I just did a shot yesterday. I've been on it for 18 months now, bi-weekly. I really like it, much better than Remicade- the dosing schedule is better, it's easier to administer, & I seem to have gotten better relief with Humira. Things aren't great- I do have bad days, but overall, things are middle-of-the-road for me. Are you not able to use Remicade?

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