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Finally I have a diagnosis!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/24/2011 8:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

Firstly I want to thank everyone for their help support and advice over the last few months. I am very fortunate to have found this forum and gotten such great advice.

So, I had my colonoscopy this morning. I had 'twilight' sedation but remember most of it. Certianly remember the doc showing me the differene between the healthy tissue and the ulcerated tissue. My inflammation is moderate but is limited to the first 15-17cm of the rectum. So Proctitis! The GI took biopsies both higher and lower to rule out microscopic inflammation but he is pretty confident with his diagnosis.

I now have cortifoam for morning and pentasa enemas at night to see if we can knock this 5 month flare into remission.

It is a relief to finally know what is going on inside me.

Thanks again, and if anyone has any advice for management of UP I would be glad to hear it.
Posted 8/24/2011 9:59 AM (GMT 0)
Keep up with the rectal meds. It's hard to treat. Mine started same area.
Posted 8/24/2011 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
It's sort of odd isn't it? To be "happy" to finally know what is wrong with you??!! lol But I totally understand that :)

I agree with Dr. A - keep up the rectal meds and don't skip.
Posted 8/24/2011 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
I know it *is* weird! and I am not sure "happy" is the right word - lol. But I had been having symptoms for months, and the docs have been treating it as if it was UC, but there was always that doubt. Now we know where the problem is we can make sure I am getting the right meds.

I guess very relieved :-)

Pleased to change my signature though!
Posted 8/24/2011 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
LOL That is why I put the happy in "". I was the same way when I got diagnosed with my diverticulosis. I was having this horrid right sided pain and I had no idea what was going on - ovaries, appendix etc etc. So now that I know what it is, I can take steps to avoid complications. It does come as a form of relief to KNOW.

Good luck with the meds and I hope they help you tremendously!
Posted 8/24/2011 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
It's probably not microscopic if it's limited as such....but the meds are appropriate regardless and hopefully will get the flare treated .

My advice...make sure you use the enemas long enough and then taper them to a maintenance level.

I do think, however...if there is no inflammation in the biopsies above where the visual is, you should request to taper down the dosage of the oral Pentasa once you're on a maintenance of the enemas.

q
Posted 8/25/2011 9:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Heather,

Actually the GI told me to stop the oral pentasa straight away and I did. Do you think I should ask to keep taking it while flaring? I am going to see my GP next week to get the full report from the GI (he will just print it off and let me read it) which is good. So I can request more oral pentasa then. I was just so pleased that he suggested taking less medication that I didn't question him.

Hmmmmm
Posted 8/25/2011 12:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...You're using both enemas at this point and it should take care of the inflammation. The medication will extend into and possibly a bit farther than the sigmoid, so all is good.

Do you go for an appointment for the results? Get a copy. If there is ANY inflammation on a microscopic level (not meaning microscopic colitis) that's farther up you should be on an oral 5ASA....but that's My opinion.

It can be discussed at your next appointment or even saved for added reassurance to keep all calm above the sigmoid/rectum.

I do suggest you continue to use good probiotics and fibre supplements, and a maintenance dosage of the pentasa enema tapered.

q
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