Just Diagnosed-Ulcerative Proctitis

Hi all,

I was just diagnosed on Friday with mild ulcerative proctitis. I had a colonoscopy after a month of bleeding with BMs. I was quite surprised by the diagnosis as both my doctor and myself assumed the bleeding was from hemorrhoids. Glad I had the scope done.

I am now on Canasa 1000mg 2/day for a week and then 1/night for the near future until I see my gastro again in 3 weeks. I've only been on the treatment for 2 days so not sure if it's working yet or not. He said my case looked very mild and was only in my rectum. I'm just hoping it doesn't spread further.

about a year ago my GP found out I have very low levels of b12 in my blood. As I had no IBD symptoms, we just assumed the lack of b12 was a genetic inability to absorb the vitamin. It seems clear now that I had the IBD for a least a year.

Despite my diagnosis I suppose I am lucky as my only symptoms were bleeding with BM and maybe the occasional urgency to use the toilet. So far my "flares" aren't really that bad.

My main question is regarding the safety of using Canasa during pregnancy. I just recently went off my birth control with the intention of starting to try for a baby in the coming months. I read the prescribing information for Canasa and it mentions in studies of rats there was no evidence of risks to a developing fetus, but also mentions there are no long term studies in humans regarding the safety of the drug during pregnancy. Does anyone know if Canasa is safe to use (in a maintenance dose of 2-3x/week) during pregnancy?

Finally, does anyone have any advice for someone newly diagnosed? I'm not terribly worried just more caught off guard by the diagnosis.

Thanks for listening!

I read mesalamine oral and topical is safe for pregnancy - but continue to discuss with your docs and pharmacist. you need t be as informed as possible.

if the IBD is just in the last few cm, it is not the cause of any b12 deficiencies. A lot of vitamin absorption takes place in right colon. keep alert for other causes of vitamin deficiency - especially if getting pregnant.

you might have a backup plan of oral meds and stronger rectal meds because some people flare with the hormone changes or pregnancy, and others report flaring just after giving birth. you want to be able to switch to stronger, well researched meds at the 1st signs.

you can consider adding probiotics and anti-inflammatory foods to you diet. there is some evidence it benefits some people.

good luck

Thanks everyone!

I had a colonoscopy with several biopsies taken of the inflamed area and the "normal" colon higher up. He said other than the inflamed area, my colon was "immaculate." I sure hope it stays that way. I will know for certain once the biopsies come back.

In the meantime, I am just doing the suppositories. I did read for colitis confined just to the rectum, suppositories work best. And because I'm about to start trying to get pregnant, I'd rather not start with oral steroids. The doc didn't say exact measurements of the proctitis, but I am seeing him in 2 or 3 weeks and will ask then.

I am on b12 supplementation so that's all set. I'm actually scheduled for a blood workup tomorrow with my GP to check that very issue and make sure the supplements are working. The last time I had my vitamin d levels tested, I was normal.

I guess at least I can have this all sorted out before I get pregnant. That's a positive I guess?

PS I am 32 years old. I think this is my first flare but I did have very severe daily intestinal cramping when I was in my teens. I had a sigmoidoscopy during that time and I recall the gastro saying he didn't see anything abnormal and assumed it was IBS. Around the same time I went on meds for anxiety and ever since, the IBS has disappeared. So who knows.