Hi all,
I've been lurking here for a few months while dealing with a flare-up of my UC (mild/moderate procto-sigmoid) and I've decided to put my situation out there and get some feedback. But first, some background.
My first symptoms started in 1977 when I was 18 y.o. after being on a course of Keflex. I was diagnosed in 1986 and started on Sulphasalazine which worked for a while. Was switched to Asacol (400 mg)and have been on it for more than a decade at increasing doses; currently @12 (+ when flaring) per day. Also using Rowasa (generic) enemas. I've never had to venture beyond the 5 ASA's.
Well, I had been enjoying a 9 year remission when in January/February I got hit with a triple whammy! My mother passed away suddenly on 01/30/10, I got an intestinal virus on 02/10/10, and I developed a case of allergic rhinitis right after the virus. Naturally one, or all, of these things kicked the UC up and I have been flaring since the end of February. I've increased the Asacol to 14 per day (7+ 7) and have been using the enemas every night for the last 2 1/2 months. The bleeding is slowing down, the urgency comes and goes, stool runs the gamut from formed to pure liquid, bathroom trips down to around 3 per day, most in the A.M. But the disease is messing with my head....maybe because it's been so long since my last flare that I have forgotten how long it takes to achieve remission? I've lost 24 lbs. (can afford to lose even more), and been sticking close to home because of the "bathroom" anxiety. My saving grace is that I work @a Doggy Daycare facility which has it's own private bathroom. So I have been able to work, but not much else...feeling sorry for my husband. Our 32 wedding anniversary is on 05/26 and I would love to feel comfortable enough to go out to dinner with him.
So, I guess my question is.....Should I stay the course for a while longer or should I contact my GI and ask about steroid enemas? I know I'm not sick enough for oral steroids, not that I ever want to go that route. But, I don't have the same kind of aversion to the enemas if they work. Does anyone out there use steroid enemas to maintain remission.....like once or twice a week like you would use Rowasa? Or maybe alternate them w/Rowasa?