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Recently Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/29/2014 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Earlier in the year I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in it's mildest form (only in the rectum). The only symptom was/is blood on the stool. Before diagnosis I used to strain quite a lot on the toilet if constipated and this made the symptoms worse.

I have also been taking warfarin on and off for a couple of years due to a heart issue which has needed a few operations. The symptoms get worse when I'm on it which makes sense but when I stop it all but clears up unless I over strain on the toilet. I take mesalazine (1g) suppositories if I notice any blood and these quickly clear it up. The symptoms seems to be related to warfarin.

I'm actually starting to wonder whether it is colitis. It's a delicate part of the body and perhaps over straining in the past has weakened the lining and the warfarin is making it worse?

Does anyone else have a similar experience or able to offer an information?

Thanks,

NMA

PS, I'm 36 years old if this is at all important..

Post Edited (NMA1977) : 7/29/2014 1:49:01 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/29/2014 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Well, you have every right to question the diagnosis and you should. A second opinion is in order.
Posted 7/29/2014 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Were you diagnosed by colonoscopy? Were biopsies taken? You are only taking the suppositories when you see blood? Straining to go is because you are constipated which is also a symptom of proctitis which is inflammation in the rectum. I would use those suppositories every day if I were you for a significant amount of time and see if that helps.
Posted 7/30/2014 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your responses guys.

Sheri, yes I was diagnosed by colonoscopy. I saw the area on the microscope during the procedure and it just looked like a small inflamed area where a little bit of blood was coming from. Everything else was completely fine. Biopsies were taken and came back as mild colitis.

I make a habit now of not straining and just sitting and waiting for it to happen. I'm also rarely constipated anymore due to a higher fiber diet. Usually if there is blood, stools don't have any on them until the last one where there is perhaps has been a very slight strain to release (sorry about the level of detail). I go to the toilet usually once a day. Shouldn't there be more blood than this or other symptoms?

My consultant proscribed 1g mesalazine to be taken once a day in the evening. The longest I've ever taken them continually is about 2 weeks. What would you say is a 'significant amount of time'?

Thanks again for your advise.
Posted 7/30/2014 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Most of us here have had to use rectal mesalamine continuously for several months in order to really get rid of the rectal inflammation. It can be incredibly stubborn. If you can do this, then you can start tapering down the frequency until you get to some maintenance plan. I think I used suspension enemas on and off for several years before I was able to stop.
Posted 7/30/2014 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
I only have 2 cm of inflammation however mine is mild to moderate. However, I used to have inflammation up to 20cm. When I found out it was the lesser amount I did the suppositories for 3 months every night. Now I do them every other day. This is a lifelong disease. It may go away but come back and get worse.
Posted 7/30/2014 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your advise Kazbern & Sheri - I'll keep on the suppositories for 3 months.

Hi thefoodeagle - I've been taking wafarin on and off for about 2.5 years. I had to take it for a period of time before and after my operations, usually about 3-4 months. During this time my symptoms got worse which isn't unexpected as warfarin thins the blood so if you are bleeding from anywhere it will take a lot longer to stop. Once i stop taking warfarin my symptoms virtually disappear.

Constipation has never been that much of an issue, just that my diet wasn't that rich in fiber so stools were sometimes hard and this led to straining. When I think about it, I've always strained on the toilet if i haven't been able to have a soft BM which is why I thought it could be related. Now my diet is higher in fiber i'm hardly ever constipated.
Posted 7/31/2014 9:35 AM (GMT 0)
I would describe it as a small red area similar to a graze with a small amount of blood.
Posted 7/31/2014 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
please go away foodbeagle -
Posted 7/31/2014 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Soystud. This person is really irritating. Offering free support for the next few days, followed by no more free support. What does that mean? Are they charging now for their 8 years of GI experience? I wonder what GI experience really is? I guess I don't qualify because I've only been at this four years. Many of the people on here have way more than 8 years of GI experience and this is all kind of insulting to them.
Posted 7/31/2014 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the offer thefoodeagle but i think I've got it covered with the good advise already given by the other members.

Thanks again guys!
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