Alternative treatments don't help me but oxycodone, Remicade, Apriso and mesalamine do

I tried and started my pain medicine during my last major flare in the hospital, Dec 2009. Having had UC for 28 years I've had to consider colon removal many times during major flares. The pain gets so intense I cannot eat and lose weight. In 2009 I was treated with IV steroids, started azathioprine and infliximab (for the 3rd time, now on maintenance dose every 8 weeks) and mesalamine enemas and Apriso, a delayed released mesalamine. I take diazepam for stress and alprazolam and Carbatrol XR for seizures. I lost hearing in my right ear in 2004 and have hypoglycemia. I also take valacyclovir for herpes (flares up on lower lip on occasion). I have two teenage daughters and my wife also works, my full time job as NA_A (engineering/rocket science, turned manager). For years I made excuses at work for my UC and let others take credit for my work, they would present as I could not and you move up with exposure. If I had pain meds back then I would have been better off.   I've been hospitalized 4 times. I have tried every non-pharmaceutical remedy that makes logical sense that I’ve read about . I look at data and facts but consider testimonials because I want healthy alternatives to work. Specific carbo diet almost killed me as I stuck with it because I was told, and read, that there is a period where you start feeling worse because the "toxins" need to leave your body. I lost so much weight and became extremely ill I now warn people against staying the course. It might help some, I know many say so. My family, friends and acquaintances frequently suggest, with good intentions, other alternatives discussed in here and some folks get upset if I don't try them or speak against them. The last failed product was Nutriiveda Achieve. It was sent to me to try, I brought up UC in a phone conversation and she sent it the next day. It has so many ingredients that I tried individually yet all in one product. I was very optimistic but it made things worse, I had bloating, abdominal pain and it gave me a headache. Believe it that the person that sent it to me gave me the same verbiage about sticking with it because the "toxins" leaving my body where what was making me ill. I continued it several more times but got even more ill.   All that helps me, which I know of, are immunosuppressants and strong anti-inflammatory drugs.   about  the pain medicine...I admit it's very addictive and trouble for many. I have a craving to take it when I don't need it but just get over it; I work out, sleep or just endure.  I use it only for dire urgency or UC pain. But, for the first time in my adult life (after 28 years) I have freedom and success in my family life and career. I can travel when I want, I give presentations, teach, ride roller-coasters, snow ski, travel in a car at a moment’s notice, hike, bike, ride in a boat, plane...most anything now and without worry over using the bathroom. I carry the pain pills and pop 1 (at most 2), the urgency and pain stops after 7 minutes. I can't tell how many times I have embarrassed myself, crapped myself in public or driven erratically to find a restroom or bush, etc. I am more dependable and safer with these.   I am upset over the misuse of pain medicine by those getting high. Because so many pain users have turned addicts my working drug, oxycodone, is watched like a hawk, regulated too much. You hear so many stories about oxycodone being a bad thing, turning someone into a heroin user, a criminal and thief; I just wanted to paint one positive picture about it. Since being released from the hospital in 2009 I finally took more responsibility at work and at home and my marriage is healthier and I got a promotion. I am finally able to attend my own awards ceremonies, I get those more often now. I would have never even considered being able to attend a Shuttle launch but took my daughter and was on a bus for hours with her without worry. She enjoyed that experience and others so much. My life is much better now. Try it if necessary but be careful. It's funny, the pain medicine turned my life for the better but since it has this "alarming' side effect of making you feel good it is sinister. If they could only take away the part that makes you feel good I would be allowed to have more...ironic. I used to self medicate with alcohol for urgency issues; now I don't have to drink (I hated the side effects of alcohol, who wants to be drunk at Disney just to take a vacation with their kids).    

Thanks...I really like SCD yogurt and my family is addicted to it. I don't find it helps my UC but I love the flavor and texture. Have you tried antispasms like Levbid (Hyomax-SR)...they help with the urgency. I use the pain meds when I am stuck in a "no way out' situation.  

Oxycodone will have the effect of slowing down the bowels and reducing frequency but it does nothing to reduce the inflammation; it just masks your symptoms and eliminates your pain. I wouldn't use it for treating UC especially if I was a former substance abuse of another drug (alcohol). I think you are on a slippery slope. I do feel for you; I understand pain with UC can be intense (I never had an ounce of pain with my UC) but you might want to look for treatment that is less addictive given your history.

I applaud you for taking this on for 28 years! I tossed in the towel and had jpouch surgery after 12 years. I wanted my life back and thankfully I got it.

Sue

suebear: Thanks for your concern...from below you can see I do take take several medications to reduce inflammation. I also understand what oxycodone does, how it works and why it works. I think it's a great match for me and believe it can be used cautiously with great success for the treatment of UC. Calling me out as "a former substance abuse" because I used alcohol to stop or prevent urgency and pain or seizures is reasonable but not a concern for me. In saying "substance abuse", I assume you're calling out the fact that I used the alcohol for something other than what it is intended for. Instead of using it to get high, I used it as a medication. I didn't get addicted to it and I certainly don't miss the side effects it caused (headache, dehydration, damage to organs, etc.). I never over-used it to the point of losing control, being obnoxious, having financial or personal problems, etc. I quit taking it when I received the oxycodone and the thought of drinking any now makes me ill. I can just drink water like the rest of my family. When I discussed using alcohol with my doctors (my internist, neurologist and GI), I was prescribed Xanax from my neurologist for the seizures and oxycodone from the GI for urgency/pain. My internist prescribed diazepam for stress but I rarely use that and avoid combining the three. The three doctors are aware of all my medications and monitor my use closely. I'm probably more cautious than they are. For me this is a lot better than having surgery. There are risks in surgery and to put my family through two surgeries when they need me the most is not practical. The success can be measured in the results of my relationship to my wife and friends, success and stability of my kids and my success and accomplishments at work...all distinguished. I may need surgery some day and am mentally prepared but it would restrict activities I so freely engage in. So, my message in this post is to counter the horror stories and negativity one hears on television, especially lately (“The Oxycodone Express”, “The Gateway Drug”, local town hall meetings concerning abuse of prescript ion drugs, etc.). My story is the being able to manage a busy lifestyle using an inexpensive, readily available, and easy to take drug that has received a bad rap. deltaforce: I'm taking something for the urgency but it doesn't help. I've tried Bently but it didn't help me. Oxycodone, as suebear stated, slows down the bowell plus reduces the pain and works quickly. Good to hear from you as well Lonie. This is a great discussion group...thanks really suebear as I realize you're trying to help. I have a 'fix'...for now

My wife and kids tolerate a lot of crap from me. They are amazing...but thanks. You have a great attitude.

If it helps you great. The regulations are put there for those who abuse the drug for no reason, you have a reason and if it gives you your quality of life back then its worth it.

I also take oxycontin and found it put me right into remission, or atleast no symptoms of UC.