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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/9/2011 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

It's been awhile since I've posted on this forum. I have had my second flare up in 25 years. It started about 8 months ago. I am on 6 sulfasalazine a day and had 3-3 week doses of Rowasa.

I still have occasional bleeding, about 1 or 2 times a week. I only have a bowel movement about once a day which is mostly normal and sometimes with a little blood and mucous.

I have been having lower abdominal cramping a few times a week but I think it is related to nerves since my job is very stressful.

My doctor says not too worry about the bleeding if it is only occasionaly because at my age, (54) my colon has thinned out.

He does not want me to go on prednisone.

It still freaks me out when I see blood. It always stresses me out. Does anyone else feel this way. I just want it to go away.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Posted 4/9/2011 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Did he prescribe you anything? I think a mesalamine enema would probably do the trick.
Posted 4/9/2011 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Isn't that what Rowasa is? I was on Canasa but it didn't do anything. The Rowasa definitely slowed down the bleeding almost right away but I still bleed a couple of times a week. I have been using the Rowasa every third night but the doc said that really doesn't help. I did use if for 3 weeks at a time about 3 times. I just want the bleeding to stop permanently.

 

Posted 4/9/2011 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
did you do the 9 weeks of Rowasa continually?

You should still be on them nightly until the bleeding stops. If you have improved from them in the past regarding flares, that is your best bet.

Where exactly is your UC...limited or throughout (as per your original diagnosis)?

You should also be on fibre supplements that will help soften/bulk the stool and probiotics to help keep the intestinal flora as balanced as possible.

What other supplements are you taking?

q
Posted 4/9/2011 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
This sounds alot like my situation.  The bleeding/mucous almost seemed to get worse with the Rowasa enemas (which my doc prescribed for every 3rd day). 

I would have just very slight blood (primarily when I would wipe) about every other day but I stopped takin the enemas 4 days ago and haven't had blood since.  It will probably start back up again (been struggling with these symptoms for a couple months now - just 2-3 BMs a day with no urgency) but I generally have blood the day or two after doing the enemas.

Sucks because if it wasn't for this issue, I'd feel completely normal and feel like I was no longer flaring.  Sounds like that is your situation too?

Posted 4/10/2011 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
I think I need a new doctor. Lately I have been having cramping very low down then slight diarrhea. I really think that is from nerves. My doctor said diet doesn't have anything to do with colitis. I was first diagnosed with proctitis about 25 years ago.

First flare up since then about 8 months ago. Had a colonoscopy and everything looked great so I don't get it.

Right now occasional blood and mucous. Go from loose stools to constipation. Now I have been getting cramping in my lower abdominal area.

I'm wondering if I should see another doctor that can give me diet advice and maybe try another medication. I am on 6 sulfasalazine a day. Does fiber really help or hurt. It seems whenever I eat things with a lot of fiber my stomach reacts with cramping.

Also, what about probiotics. Which ones are good. I have tried Activia yoghert. Is that enough. I can't afford expensive probiotics. Again, my doc never mentioned these.

What is your opinion.

Thanks again.

Posted 4/10/2011 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Also, does anyone think stress is a factor to make things worse?
Posted 4/10/2011 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
In my experence stress does tend to make my symptoms worse from time to time as far as the probiotic I know where you are coming from. They can be a little pricy. I asked the pharmacist last time I bought mine and they said it was up to me what I wanted. He said as long as the amount of cultures per pill was the same it shouldn't matter which one you take (don't quote me on this as its only what I was told by 1 pharmacist) I went with the align cause its what my GI had recommended but I might find a cheaper one next cause I don't really feel any better while taking them (that's just me as they might help you)
Posted 4/10/2011 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice. How is the Lialda working for you?
Posted 4/10/2011 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I think the lialda helps but its not enough for me .. GI said I could take 4 a day but it seems when I take 4 the outer shell only breaks on like 2 of them so its a total waste ... I keep flaring up everytime I go off prednisone but when I wasn't on the lialda the flares seemed more intense.. asacol gave me nasty headaches and pentasa made my d much worse ... my GI keeps telling me the same thing I see a lot of people post here .. this is such an individual disease and what works for one does not always work for the other. You just need to find the right combo of meds and it does take time. If your not fully comfortable with your GI maybe you should switch my first GI only wanted me on prednisone .. that was his answer for everything .. I switched to a new GI and now I feel like he is really working with me to get better . As nasty as prednisone is I don't wanna be on it forever so I'm glad I made the switch ... I have not seen remission yet but I hope to see it soon and I hope you get better soon as well
Posted 4/13/2011 2:38 AM (GMT 0)

cpaarchie said...
I would have just very slight blood (primarily when I would wipe) 

This sounds like external hemmies to me..

Posted 4/13/2011 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Your theory on the external hemmies is interesting - by the same token, wouldn't this have been something the doc noticed when he did the colonoscopy last fall?

I suppose maybe I could have developed something?

For what its worth, it seems to hurt a bit (not that I suppose it would feel great) whenever I try to push in the enema and as I mentioned before, it sometimes seems like the blood is more prevalent the day after I've done the enemas.

Am I correct in thinking that hemmies may result from frequent use of enemas?

At the end of the day, the blood isn't signficant - again, usually slight bright red streaks on the BM and also on the toilet paper. 

 

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