Recently diagnosed with Proctitis

So, it's now the 3rd day since taking the Asacol enema and 3 days of completely blood free bm's. I do one enema just before bed at night, which is fine, but in the morning I try to do the second one (after a bm) and within 10 minutes my rectum gets stimulated and chucks it back out. So really I'm only getting 1 x 1g does instead of the 2 x 1g as directed.

I did the first day's second enema in the morning and the second day's second one in the afternoon, both applied standing up, then sat down at a computer. Once sat down, they've both been chucked out within 15 minutes. The night ones were taken literally just before going to bed and stayed in all night. This is foam enema.

In the letter dated November 24th 2011 from the surgeon, who did the sigmoidoscopy, to my GP, it states "I reviewed Neil today following his recent flexible sigmoidoscopy for rectal bleeding. A flexible sigmoidoscopy showed the presence of proctitis. Histology has confirmed this raising the suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease".

Does this statement mean I definitely have IBD?

The initial 2 months of oral Asacol didn't have much effect, but since taking the Asacol enema 6 days ago, it stopped the bleeding instantly and hasn't bled yet (except 1 bm which was caused by a slightly constipated, larger bm).

Would Asacol reduce inflammation/bleeding if it wasn't IBD?

     Yes Neil, sound like IBD to me.  I also had ulcerative proctitis but was on the generic for Colazal.  I am very happy for you that the bleeding has stopped.  Hope you continue on the road to recovery.

Hi Neil,

     I have ulcerative proctitis also.  At first my GI just had me on the Rowasa enemas for three weeks with a three week refill.  She told me to just do it for three weeks but as soon as I stop everything started back again. I got the refill and everything seem to be good for about two months and then it started back.  She finally put me on Asacol along with the enemas.  She said some people with UP take maintenace meds for the rest of their life and some don't.  She said most of them do take maintenace meds.  She said it's better to have some meds in your system.  So far everything is going okay.  It took some time.  Your GI may just want to see if your are one of those people who don't have to take meds for the rest of your life.  I hope everything works out for you.

Never come back again?? more than likely not, but possible for a good long remission. I'm on maintenance meds, but still flare....having to increase the enemas and then taper to maintenance.
In my own defense, I treat very mild symptoms that others might not until things are more obvious.

When do you see your doc again?

Regarding the diagnosis...UC is diagnosed after all other things are eliminated. You do, however, need a copy of your biopsies report, but it will more than likely state "consistent with IBD or Ulcerative colitis" if your doctor was looking for that in the introduction reason for biopsies.

q

Hi NY..you're most welcome. Figures about the suggestion to go off the meds. Who set you up initially to see the surgwon for the sig-scope?

You do need a complete c-scope...so push for that with your GI. Get a copy of the results from the surgeon for your benefit.

Make a list of questions for the GI.

q

Yes, I'd say slowly healing, and very well!
It does take time, and the last part of a flare can be the most difficult. The bleeding means still fragile tissue. Once the bleeding is gone, there's still healing of the inflamed tissue.

Since you're on both the enemas and the supps, both low dosage, it might take a bit of time yet. How many bms are you having daily?

Are you having urgency and the uncontrolled urge to push?

q

The pushing can exacerbate hemmies, and I push as well. I most often have a teeny small bm about a half hour after the first one. No urge, but I push it out. because I know it's there anyway I asked the GI about it and he said it's a continuation of the first one, probably what's left in the sigmoid and eventually makes its way down. I should add extra fibre to possibly help with that. but I only eat main meals twice a day and that's when I take the capsules.

The hot curry last month could have been part of your flare anyway...hope it was good!
Some foods I eat, I'd expect to have a different stool the next day.

q

     Sounds like it is healing nicely Neil !

Thanks to you both, I'll see how it goes. Interesting you mention the fissure Quincy.

"THE fissure? meaning you have one?"

No, but now you've mentioned it, the small amount of bleeding does tend to occur after the a bm has been on the harder/larger size. Perhaps these harder bms are opening a wound?

Just to give an update on my condition.

I had a second sigmoidoscopy on Feb 7th 2012 which showed the colon had mild inflammation for 3cm from the anus. Interestingly, there was no bleeding at the time of this.

I've been on a totally dairy free diet since November 2011 and tried totally gluten free diet from Jan'12 - May'12. Neither seems to have made any difference.

Basically, if I take 1 x Asacol suppository per day, there is no bleeding. If I miss a day out, there will be a tiny (1mm x 20mm) streak of blood in the bm. All my bms are perfectly formed and 1 per day for the last 7 months.

Maybe I'm not taking the suppository enough times per day to clear the last 3cm inflammation? I'm just scared my body will become resistant to Asacol, so I try to keep it to 1 per day.