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On flare with Rowasa

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/25/2012 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
I've been in remission on Remicade for almost 3 years. Just had my first flare about a month ago. Not so much urgency, but I would pass gas on toilet and bloody mucus would come out about 2-3 times a day. My doctor is gonna limit my time between infusions (it was every 10 weeks since I was doing so well, now down to 8). He also put me on Cortifoam and after a week it didn't work so he told me to stop and do Rowasa. I've been doing that for about 5 days (AND am able to hold it in thankfully!). The good news is I haven't been seeing any blood but it could be because I haven't had the urge to pass anything. I do get gas cramps and pass gas but no BMs or anything. Is this good or bad? This morning I did pass gas and there was nothing in the toilet, however when I wiped there was blood. I have three weeks to go until my next Remicade and I'm hoping it won't worsen drastically until then...and also hoping that the Remicade hasn't failed me shakehead
Posted 2/25/2012 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like your improving. Keep doing the Rowasa and if your now using a probiotic I would start one. They can help alot with gas.
Posted 2/25/2012 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
yes, you're improving.

Don't stop cold turkey on the Rowasa...they should be tapered to a maintenance.

Hang tough...is this the first time on rectal meds??

q
Posted 2/25/2012 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Why can't you stop rowasa cold turkey? I've never heard that. And then how would you taper it down?
Posted 3/2/2012 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
So the great thing is last week I had two great BMs NO BLOOD! I haven't been having the thing where I pass gas on the toilet and blood comes out BUT I haven't had a BM since Sunday (it is now Friday). I felt like I was improving since the blood was gone but is constipation a sign of the Rowasa not helping (I've been on it for about 1.5 weeks)? Any advice on what I should do/use to be able to go? Thanks!
Posted 3/3/2012 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Constipation is a symptom of limited inflammation. Think thermometer...flares upward, heals downward. Continue the enemas till you get past that point and start to have more regular bms.

Remember, however that if you're on a low residue or limited food diet and don't take in enough, the colon can get a bit lazy since it's not forced to work (from the wonky signals from the rectum).

sounds as though you're improving nicely...
q
Posted 3/3/2012 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Ok so I went like two hours after I posted. The BM was very soft and bordering on diarrhea (BUT no blood which is a plus). This is the first time I've had a not formed stool. I felt like I was improving with everything else (blood, urgency) but now I've gone from formed to D. Anyone know what may be up with this? Can loose stools be a side effect of Rowasa?
Posted 3/3/2012 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe the improvement was in part from the steroid rectal med. Maybe alternate and see if you improve? or add the one in the morning and the other at night?

How long were you on the cortifoam?

q
Posted 3/3/2012 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
The doc asked me to call him in a week to see if the cortifoam helped in the least. When it didn't in that amount of time, he took me off right away and started the Rowasa. It was Monday that I did the switch and and on the following Saturday is when I had my first blood free BM.
Posted 3/3/2012 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Rowasa helped me too.
Posted 3/3/2012 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Rowasa does make bm's a bit looser. It sounds like it is working for you.

Wishing you continued success.
D
Posted 3/3/2012 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with padedo. Mesalamine makes my stool softer, too.
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