Meds stopped working - new to the forum - advice request

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and to UC as I was diagnosed in August this year. Actually, I think I've had UC for a couple of years now but this year it was quite severe (rectal bleeding) so I wen to doc and after colonoscopy I got diagnosed with mild UC. Strange thing is that while I was waiting for diagnosis my symptoms resolved, I felt better and had no rectal bleeding...Now, after the results came back, the doc gave me meds (Etiasa - mesalazine) 1 gram per day for 3 months. I have taken the meds but as of last week the symptoms came back...;/

Don't know what to do know now, Should continue taking meds or stop them altogether (as they seem not be working) and try a different drug? Should I increase the dose (1gr per day seems awfully low, that's what I read on forums)? Don't really know what to do now...;/ Any help will be appreciated

Thank you!
Tom

I would go back to the GI and ask them how to proceed. You can definitely increase the dose, but ultimately you need a new script in order to have enough to make it through the month, so I'd make an appointment and see what they say. Sorry you're dealing with UC.

Welcome to the forum!

Do you have a copy of your original pathology....what is the extent location of UC?

From what I read, your med is oral granules. 1000mg daily isnt enough, but you aren't on rectal meds....so you are way undertreated. Your title of the meds stopped working is a misunderstanding of treatment.

q

quincy said...
Welcome to the forum!

Do you have a copy of your original pathology....what is the extent location of UC?

From what I read, your med is oral granules. 1000mg daily isnt enough, but you aren't on rectal meds....so you are way undertreated. Your title of the meds stopped working is a misunderstanding of treatment.

q

Hi there,

My initial diagnosis was I quote "Colitis chronica maioris gradus" in Cecum (-3 - 0.3cm), Transverse colon (-4-0.3cm) and sigmoid colon (-3 - 0.3cm). Whatever that means... It was done in Poland, and the doctor said it was mild (I checked on the internet and couldn't make heads nor tails of it but, of course, I'm not a doctor). The Polish doc said I should take 1gr Etiasa at least 3 months. But I'm in China now and am treated by a Taiwanese doc, he confirmed that it was mild (again don't understand it as 'colitis maioris...' stands for severe inflamation, I believe) and he said 1 gr is ok maybe even less than 3 months...Don't know what this is all about because, I checked on the internet and UC is a lifetime disease which comes and goes...and on the Etiasa leaflet it says that the initial does is 4x the one I'm taking! But again, I'm not a doc so I used their suggestions...

I'll go to see my doctor next week and tell him about the symptoms (which are BTW subsiding as I'm writing this post, meaning no cramps or urgency just a little blood on stool). Ehh, I hate illnesses (in general of course too) which vary so much in symptoms...;/

Thanks again,
Tom

quincy said...
I have no idea about the location description....lol...but no mention of the rectum?

Let us know how your appointment next week goes. Please bring your report and ask the specialist for clarification 😁

q

The cecum is the part of the large intestine closest to the small intestine, so the furthest away from the anus. I know because I had a big old polyp there a few years ago.

ya, but do you know where the Jurzi girl is ;-)

Hi all,

I saw my doc today and he said that my UC was mainly connected with transverse colon and rectum. He gave me prednisone 0.5 grams twice per day for 7 days and upped the dose of Etiasa to 4 grams a day also he gave me some pills to stop bleeding. What do you think about the dosage and the meds? Isn't it too soon for a steroid medication? I heard so many bad things about the steroid drugs that I'm worried:/

Thanks
Tom

iPoop said...
Glad they increased the Etiasa dose to 4 grams a day.

A typical dosage of prednsione is 20-40mgs per day for us. Are you sure about 500mgs twice a day (0.5grams) as that does not sound right. Just make sure they have given you the right dosage, as they've mixed up mine before and prescribed too much. I generally did not experience pred side effects until a couple weeks in, a 7-day course is much shorter. Pred sucks, but it is rocketship fast in getting rid of our worst symptoms (it's a love/hate thing for us with pred).

Hi there,

My bad...I got 15mg of prednisone....for 7 days...(my wife just translated the Chinese characters for me;p and it turns out I was looking at the other drug;p). I guess it's lower than usual then, I just hope it will work...

Thanks for all help!
Tom