HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Back again--I'm one of those people :)

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/24/2010 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I first flared early 2007 and was on here a lot--what a great resource!  After a bad year I finally went into remission with Azathioprine.  Had trouble getting of the prednisone.  The past couple of years I enjoyed myself and my UC was gone, but not forgotten (hard to forget and still worry about it a lot.) 

But the past week I seem to be flaring up again.  So back to the HealingWell forums!  I'm having some severe cramping, gas, bloating, pain, and loose stools.  This morning I saw blood for the first time again.  It was horrid and brought tears to my eyes.  I remember last time I flared checking the stool all the time for blood.  Now back to that again :(  I called my GI yesterday and like any "good" doc he just threw some pills at me.  Apriso, 4/day.  I wasn't familiar with this drug, though I haven't had much luck with mesalamines before, I'm giving it a shot.  I know it is a maintenance drug, but maybe it will provide a boost to soothe my colon. 

I'm so stressed out and sad.  I know I'm lucky to have led a normal life the past couple years after a major flare, and I've known all along that more flare ups would be likely, but it sucks.  Plus have some travels coming up and I'm really nervous about that.  I'm hoping it is just a minor blip and will not last.  I wasn't even convinced it was my UC at first, maybe just a bug or something, but the blood probably confirms it. 

Wife is 12 weeks pregant with first child, so she doesn't need this stress either.  Maybe it was the stress of this that made me flare.  Maybe it was the Thai food, or the beers.  Who knows.  But gotta deal with it now.  It is hard to stay positive.  Hate it, just like everyone else here.

Not sure what my point is...oh, I guess it is to remember to have some hope.  Most people on this forum are quite ill.  But there are many out there who are not ill and enjoying life, like I was.  And the last thing I wanted to do was read about UC. :)  But what a great resource this is and I'm thankful for those on here who are well and continue to help and share their experience.  Best to all.

Posted 8/24/2010 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
I was just curious. Have you been taking the Imuran the whole time?  Meaning you have never stopped taking it?  So now you are taking the Apriso and the Imuran if I understand correctly.  Let us know.

MyUC

Posted 8/24/2010 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I have been on the Imuran for 3 years continuously. I can count on both hands the number of times I've missed a dose, although I missed 2 in a row early last week. But I'm sure a medicine that takes months to begin working, doesn't stop working that abruptly. I took my first dose of Apriso last night.
Posted 8/24/2010 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
My first bad flare was put into remission from Asacol. I flared while taking a maintenence dose of Asacol and couldn't get it under control. Now I am on 6mp. I hope Asacol helps you. There is hope, it did help me and many others in the past. I doubt eating poorly casued this but you never know. It seems like dietary changes help some and not others. Unfortunately I am not one of those that it helps.

* you should ask your GI about adding rectal medication.

Posted 8/24/2010 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Did you like the Azathioprine? Did you have any side effects? Are you on it now?
Posted 8/24/2010 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
I think also the stress of things makes a major difference. I managed to be pretty much problem free for a while a few years ago. Then I went through a really stressful time at work with interviews for a promotion while sitting some professional qualification exams and my descent was pretty rapid.
On the positive side, if you managed to get yourself into remission for a couple of years, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to again.

d
Posted 8/24/2010 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Again....rectal meds...please start them asap. If you don't like taking them, put it in your siggie so we can stop hounding you about it.

The food or beers didn't cause your flare...since it starts in the rectum, you may never have even noticed the symptoms. Hence....rectal meds, and tapered to maintenence.

Hope the Apriso helps.

Rectal meds...don't know if I mented it before..lol.

q
Posted 8/24/2010 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Miracles--I have been on azathioprine for over 3 years now. It took a while to kick in, but seemed to do the trick (until now.) I had some minor side effects at first, but not bad. I am on it now and will continue unless I hear otherwise from my DR.

q--I have done rectal meds in the past. They didn't help, but I am willing to try them again. I will ask my DR. about them.

When I was feeling this come on last week, I was hoping it was salmonella!!! Who hopes for that, besides a UC sufferer!
Posted 8/25/2010 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
     I think stress makes the symptoms a lot worse.  Are you thinking of going the route of Remicade or Humira?  I did it all..lol.  Had to resort to surgery on June 28th but there are plenty of people out there who are helped by Remicade and/or Humira.

     I wish you well.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply