How should I treat it?

Hi all,

I just went in for my first colonoscopy since I was diagnosed in 11/2008, although I've had some flex sigmoidoscopys since then.  When I was diagnosed initially, 2/3 of of my colon was inflammed.  This time, inflammation was only seen in the sigmoid colon, and it was mild inflammation at that.

This is good news.  Originally, I tried various mesalamines with little success.  The only medication I've been on for the past 2 months is 10 mg of Prednisone daily, along with a spectrum of probiotics.

My question is this: what should I use to finally get to remission (never been there) and clear up the UC in my lower colon and rectum?  Are enemas the best route to go?  I still have frequency, urgency, and some diahrrea, although no blood and more formed stools now.

As an aside, I also have painful hemmoroids which cause trouble off and on, and started after I got UC.  How should I treat those?  Should I wait until after I get full in remission, since UC symptoms only worsen and prolong hemmoroids anyway?

Thanks,

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CollegeGrad85

Male, 24 years old

dx'd with UC 11/2008

Tried Lialda, Apriso, and Colazol.  Mesalamines don't seem to help and only seem to worsen my symptoms.

I've been reluctant to try Imuran due to possible side effects and risks.

Currently on 10 mg of Prednisone, Fish Oil, Align Probiotic, and another probiotic with 20 billion cultures per tablet

10 mg of prednisone is hardly worth taking at all, in my opinion. You probably need to take 30 or 40. What did the doctor prescribe?

I had trouble with Align, it really upset my stomach and I knew it really wasn't the best anyway since it didn't even have to be refrigerated. I think it's meant more for people without bowel disease. Does the other probiotic you take need refrigeration?

Just a couple of possibilities...urgency is the worst part of UC, I think!