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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/6/2011 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm newly diagnosed with UC. Started taking Apriso, Prednisone and Cipro (14 days) on May 9th. 30mg pred for 1 week, 20mg for 1 week and 10mg for 2 weeks. After week 1 felt some improvement but when tapered to 20 mg symptoms starting returning. Called GI and told them this and extended Cipro for another 2 weeks. No better. I feel like Cipro is causing stomach issues. Went back to GI last week and started me back on prednisone 30mg for 1 week, 20mg for 1 week, and 10mg for 2 weeks. Also did a stool sample. Have 2 more days at 30mg with no improvement. I have totally watery stools with lots of blood = at least 10 times/day. I am weak, tired and worn out.

Dr. told me that if no improvement in 7-10 days to call back. 7 days is Wednesday. Should I wait until then? What questions should I ask? I just don't know what to do. I hate to be a pest or not give the meds a chance to work but I just don't feel good.

Thanks for the advice and all of the good info on this forum.
Posted 6/6/2011 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi - Gosh, I'm sorry you're going through all this.

Usually I hear of people starting at 40 or 60 mg of pred, so.... 30 might not be high enough to kick the inflammation.

Would you consider rectal meds? There are retention enemas (you administer them at bedtime with the goal of holding all night.....not as bad as it sounds) based both on mesalamine (related to Apriso) and steroid. When nothing else will move a flare, I do the steroid enemas and find them to be very efficient and less systemic than prednisone.

I would call the doctor today and not with until Wednesday, since you're clearly not improving.

Keep us posted!

By the way - welcome to the forum! I'm glad you found us.
Posted 6/8/2011 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the UC Forum, though sorry that you're now suffering from our "curse". Did the doctor diagnose you via colonoscopy? If so, did he/she tell you how much of your colon is inflamed or ulcerated? That's the key to determine what meds you need to combat your symptoms. Cipro is an antibiotic and Apriso basically a maintenance med for UC; I'm wondering why the doctor prescribed them just now in addition to Prednisone. For example, Fruitgirl (another forum member) took Prednisone starting at 40 mg daily, then switched to Apriso maintenance after tapering off Pred to the point that her UC was totally under control. I myself had to go on Prednisone starting at 40 mg daily after taking Cipro for a bacterial infection caused my UC to flare severely some yrs back. Best wishes for you to get better info that will put you on a helpful prescription regimen ASAP. The Website ccfa.org may be useful if you haven't yet checked it out. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/8/2011 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Cipro is a strong antibiotic and most of us benefit from taking an equally strong probiotic especially if antibiotics are used. Antibiotics kill all gut flora, both good guys and bad guys. Probiotics help put the good guys back and get the balance restored, however they need to be taken daily because they don't last.

There are many probiotics for sale but VSL#3 has had actual studies done and found to be therapeutic. You can even get an RX for it in the DS-double strength if your healthcare provider will pay for it. Otherwise order it online and it's delivered very fast in a refrigerated cooler. Why order VSL#3 when you can buy probiotics at the drugstore? Because it has been studied and is much higher strength than drugstore probiotics.

Enemas, as mentioned above, are also a very good idea. There are both steroid and mesalamine enemas available by Rx. They really help, I've used the mesalamine type to stop bleeding. Others have good luck with the steroid type.

Good luck with the Cipro, my gut is allergic to it, very bad reactions almost worse than UC.
Posted 6/8/2011 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
ucmay11,

Sorry about your recent diagnosis. Welcome to the forum.

I would recommend Canasa suppositories as an alternative to oral meds, if you find they don't agree with you.

Also, diet is so important. What are you eating?

IMO, you should probably try to be dairy and wheat free to start with. If you love milk, try almond milk - it tastes great and is healthy too, and is lactose free.

Have you heard of the SCD diet? It's Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which has helped many on this forum.

Also, are you taking any supplements?

I would suggest: a good omega 3 oil or krill oil at least 2000 mg, VSL#3 probiotics, slippery elm bark powder.

And lastly, you could check out the information on LDN, low dose naltrexone if you want an alternative treatment to all the high side effect drugs.

If you need more info on it, I'll be glad to post it here for you.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Posted 6/8/2011 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Cipro gives me crazy poopies. If you're sensitive to it like I am you might not feel better until you are done with it.
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