back from vacation...

Hi all, so, Red_34 and I just happened to be away at the same time (so other wonderful mods looked in on the conversations here).... I went north, to Maine.
I was edging toward a flare when I left, and had been doing Rowasa every night. I added it to twice a day (I know, a lot of 5-ASA in my system, but my GI had said it was ok) but by Tuesday I was seeing more blood and having some cramping, and the frequency was increasing.... so I started nightly Cortenemas, and increased VSL3#DS to twice a day. The next day I had only one, formed BM and only a little blood on the TP - and after then, so blood at all. So.... lol, what helped, the cortenemas or the increased VSL? (Obviously it's better to not add two things at the same time, so one can tell what's helping, but I didn't want to waste any more time.)
Sometimes I've had more stools per day because... well, I was on vacation and I ate all kinds of things, even corn on the cob and.... OMG - fried clams!
We rented a cottage by a small lake, and sat and read, and canoed around, and enjoyed the sights and sound of the loons. I even got up at 6 am two mornings to canoe around the pond with my husband (he canoed 3 or 4 times every day) - no bathroom issues! (I just didn't have breakfast until later, and it worked fine!) My son with UC also canoed a lot and had fun fishing.
We visited my older son's college, and toured the campus for the benefit of the younger son, and went into Portland to shop around and have dinner... so, yes, life can be good, even with UC, even toting around a container of Asacol for the kid and me!

Now to figure; I know I would recommend to someone else to stay on the Cortenemas another week after the last blood before tapering, but GOSH I want to get off these. I'll start by re-adding Rowasa on the nights I skip the Cort... and of course I'll report in!
This has always been "flare season" for me, for all these years, so I'm delighted if I've nipped it in the bud/butt.

I've been reading and trying to catch up with everyone - great to be back in touch!

THat sounds like a great vacation. So glad you were able to get the flare under control and have a great time. This is interesting b/c I am starting to try a new protocol when I bleed by adding a steroid w/ the Rowasa. Do you find that the steroid has any other side effects? How long have you used the cortenema in the past? I heard about it thinning your skin so I am wondering about that too. I am using the steroid suppository so I don't know how the steroid amts compare. Anyway, great vacation and glad to hear another positive story!
B

Glad to hear you had a good vacation and were able to tame a flare before it got too ridiculous.

THanks for getting back to me. I have been on the Rowasa nightly about 4 months. I was doing very well so started to taper and than started to bleed again. Went back to nightly but it was't controlling it enough so I started to alternate w/ steroid supps. What is your impression of the fact that I couldn't get the bleeding back under control w/ the Rowasa alone again. I am always scared that meds will stop working for me. Steroid supps seem to get things back quicker. Thanks again for all of your help and input.
B

Funny...I've also wondered if I was being too impatient and if the Rowasa would do it for me if I gave it more time. I am going to my GI on Aug 31 so I will also be asking these questions. Let me ask though....once the steroids stop the bleeding...does the Rowasa help maintain for you? I'm at least hoping that will happen as to minimize steroid time. Thanks.
B

And my appt is on Sept 2!

Hateuc - yes, in the past the Rowasa has helped once I'm not bleeding anymore, and I'm hoping that will be true again this time.

I may start alternating Rowasa and Cort tonight - I'll post if there are any bumps in the road!

Yes, that question had gone through my mind also!

Wow, I came to read about songlady's vacay and I get all this...lol

Sounds like an awesome trip songlady, glad you had a good time and were able to manage the UC to boot!!

And I'm really interested in the other line you guys have going here, cort enemas and all that.  The Rowasa is great for me as of now but I try to always be ready with an alternative if needed (oral steroids NOT being one of those).

I'd love to know what ya'll find out so I"ll be looking for those threads.