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first flare..meds?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/10/2012 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
first got symptoms this time last year was diagnosed and got flare under control with pred and been taking 3 x asacol everyday since.
now in my first flare since diagnosis and i phoned my specialist on fri (which was very hard for me to do, admitting I was sick because of this disease) but she hasnt got back to yet
so I phoned my doctor( who i originally didnt phone coz he doesnt know anything about colitis tbh) and have an appointment for thus, now as i said he doesnt really have a scooby, so do you guys have any suggests for other drugs to get me under control?

Ive only ever used pred and would like to stay away from it( even although Ive took 5mg-10mg over past week coz I was desperate.
I dont really know about the drugs, and when im flaring is it worth even suggesting enemas? would enamas alone be no use?

thanks u guys
<3
Posted 1/10/2012 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I got my original severe UC flare under control with Asacol (12/day) and mesalamine enemas. I've never had to use pred so far. Everyone's different but it would definitely be worthwhile to try the enemas first. Are you only taking 3 400 mg Asacol pills a day? That's not even a maintenance dose. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 1/10/2012 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Enemas are the answer for you, especially if the inflammation is limited to the rectum and sigmoid colon. Depending on the severity of the flare you're in, you might need some prednisone to quickly reduce your inflammation.

As your regular doctor for 4g mesalamine enemas. I find the generic works for me; other brand names are Rowasa and Pentasa.
Posted 1/10/2012 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
thanks I will do! no im on 3 x 800mg asacol.
i didnt know you could get a flare in control with just asacol and eneams.
do you's think I should up my asacol dose myself just now? Ive upped it to 4 the past few days actually . any more?

x
Posted 1/10/2012 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I think you should call your GI's office back, tell them you called Friday and haven't heard back from anyone yet and that you're flaring and need to speak with someone. Then ask them if it's okay to up your Asacol dose. You're on the lowest effective dose and you can go all the way up to 12/day (what I've been on since 2007).

Keep in mind mesalamine isn't as fast-acting as pred so you have to be patient and it may take a few weeks before you notice improvement in your symptoms. Hang in there!
Posted 1/10/2012 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
What exactly are your symptoms and where in the colon is your uc...throughout or limited?
I wouldn't suggest you up the Asacol 800mg pills to 6...try to 4 daily initially. You can always up it if you need to.
But, I'm suggesting this to be used in conjunction with the enemas as well.


Call the doc's office and ask for him to please call in a prescription for mesalamine enemas (if you're un the US, it's Rowasa..if you're in Canada, it's Salofalk).

I think you should first try the combo rather than resorting to pred, even if he suggests for you to use pred and not the enemas.

And...just for he record, if he says "the enemas won't treat your whole colon"..while it's true, they're not meant to.

Both ends approach. Keep us posted how you're doing.
q
Posted 1/10/2012 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
my symptoms are bloody mucus diarhea, sometime more blood than poo. going about 5 times a day rather than just once in morning.
stomach pains, nausea quite a lot, and im anaemic again so dizzy and no energy.

em limit i think. im sure i read that somewhere.

I will defo say to my doctor on thurs about enemas, ive a feeling he will turn his nose up at them though, but can only try!
im in the uk , but would try any make
x
Posted 1/10/2012 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, your symptoms at this point sound limited and mild, so good to hop on the enema train asap.

In UK, you'll have the Asacol foam available. While it's a low dosage of 1g (1000mg) , they can be effective and can be used twice a day. I wish we had foam available here of the mesalamine.

He may turn his nose up, but it's YOUR butt...and there's no reason for him to not want to see you successful rather than you having possible forever repercussions from continued use of the pred.

You can say you need his support and prescription refills, for it would give you your life back to have such freedom...blah, blah...whatever you think will tickle his ego.

If you're anemic, ask to have your vitamin B-12 checked and your vitamin D.

q
Posted 1/10/2012 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with everyone else about the enemas. For me along with oral medication I felt considerably better within a few days when I was first diagnosed. Pred at only 5mg or 10mg isn't really going to be effective I would think.

Hope your doctor listens to you...thats half the battle. Good luck
Posted 1/11/2012 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
I hate Pred but in the UK NHS colitis treatment tends to be aggressive, thus I've asked for Predfoam and / or Budesonide (a steroid that acts more locally but tends to have more effect higher up) and have had some joy with both.

Pred foam has gotten me into remission in a matter of days when a mild flare was caught early so it's agreed with my GI that I keep it - and a cousre of Budesonide - in my house (albeit from a finance standpoint i'm sure they'd rather I went on 6-MP...
Posted 1/11/2012 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
I believe the foam is much safer to use then the oral prednisone. I wouldn't hesitate to try that but I don't ever want to take oral pred again if I can help it.
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