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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/15/2012 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
hi all, 
I never really got a handle on this disease since first noticing blood last febuary.  Over Xmas i unmedicated myself(just lazyiness, feel free to scold me) and i noticed a few changes in my symptoms.  increase gas mucous blood and passing something pr every toilet trip. 
so as i had an app with my gi on fri 13th there i decided to get serious with my meds. 
i doubled my dose of asacol to2400mg and inserted the dredded pentasa supp every night. (i say dredded because i hate using them) i usually take asacol every night so i wouldnt notice it upsetting my guts when im asleep but now im taking them during the day i do.  My gut fills with painfull gas and my abdomen is rock hard.  it really uncomfortable..
So on friday i told my Gi exactly that.   His reply was that "I dont think it has anything to do with the asacol or UC but IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME aswel as UC. 
Then he said he was gonna put me on an 8wk course of steroids Predisalone (sp).  I refused them and asked about a steroid enema predfoam and maybe a 5asa enema as i dont like using the suppositories. He said to try that for a month but if it doesnt improve to go the steroid route.
Si now im on
salofalk 1g enema daily and
predfoam 1g daily and
decreased dose of 1600mg asacol daily.
What do yous reckon folks any thoughts on the meds
what do yous think about the IBS dx without any investigions?
havent started yet cuz my gp needs to do out the script for me.will start tomorrow.
Posted 1/15/2012 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sure this post will sound very familiar...;-)

Get back on the 2400 mg dosage of Asacol. Are you on the 400 mg pills? take them twice a day, maybe with meals..that should help some possible discomfort. But, they don't dissolve in the stomach.


Stomach discomfort, distention, etc is a symptom of limited rectal inflammation, once you get the inflammation under control, your symptoms will improve. Yes, it could be in combination of your flare.

The suppositories are NEVER enough medication to treat a flare...I probably mentioned that in the past.

What enemas are you using when? Is the Asacol foam as well?

I would try real hard to get the meds to work for you...I can make suggestions. I would also urge you to avoid the pred forever...and get really smart about the meds.

I applaud the doc for not pushing for the pred...much depends on how desperate you are in getting things under control. Remember, this isn't the only flare you'll have...the next one will be just as desperate.
Again...I urge you to understand how the meds can work.

I would suggest you ask the doc for an antispasmodic. I use dicyclomine (Bentylol in Canada)...start with 10mg before bedtime.

How are you eating? Some foods can cause more discomfort. Are you taking probiotics? ARe you taking fibre supplements?

Hang tough...it takes a while to get it figured out.

q
Posted 1/15/2012 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
jujumcm,

So you didn't take the meds...but you went back to the doctor, that's good.

I would be skeptical of the IBS without further investigation.

How do you know that you're not intolerant of the 5asa's? They gave me terrible headaches, stomach pains, cramping, and D.

Quincy is right, about treating from both ends. But perhaps you should try a non-mesalamine, no?

This way you can see if you're intolerant of the 5asa or not?

But diet, for most of us, is a big player in symptoms.

What's your diet like?

Have you had your vitamin d3 and b12 levels checked via blood work?

Posted 1/15/2012 10:30 PM (GMT 0)

Hmmmm that did sound familiar Q.  thanks.

insoflora nd Quincy

My diet is good and healthy.  i joined slimming world in Sep to loose a few stone.  Ive lost 17lb to date.  dont feel it though with this big swollen belly!!!!lol

spose diet food isnt good for UC, but it a lesser of 2 evils at the moment.  i eat plenty of lean meat and veg, lots of fruit, no bread, very little cereals, loads of yogurts and anything fat free that will keep from the biscuit press.

insoflora,

interesting about being intolerant to 5asa's.  i was prescibed pentasa in granular form at the beginning and reacted really badly.  as i said i would take the asacol b4 bed so i wouldnt be aware of any reaction. 

I had my bloods done in Dec.  all good,  no significant rise in inflamitory markers.  thats why im convinced its the drugs esp after increasing them recently.  but my GI recokn IBS.  i think he might of been tired and hungry cuz he didnt look at the full picture.

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