I can't stop crying

Cortifoam is a steroid based rectal med (in fact, for me it's the only rectal med that works) canasa is part of the 5ASA group of meds (I'm severely allergic to them)....I'm so sorry for your confirmed DX, the silver lining that you will see some day is that it's great that it's not Crohn's (speaking from my own experiance again) because many more complications are attached to having CD (I'm not saying CDers suffer more with symptoms, as we're all individual with our IBD).

Denial is a natural process and I'm willing to bet that at some point we all felt it to some degree when we became DX with our IBD.

And no, the test cannot determine the behaviour or severity of your IBD, they've only just learned within the last 10ish yrs that there are a cluster of genes that contribute to the development of IBD and define the severity and behaviour of it....maybe in our lifetime with the knowledge they have, at some point they will be able to test individuals to determine what their IBD will likely be like for them so they can administer treatment methods based on it.

You should only have to use the rectal meds until you get your proctitis under control (in remission), of course "Q" will likely suggest you take them indefinitely, I personally don't agree because our bodies do tend to become immune to things (especially meds) when they are used at times they aren't needed (like when your UP is in control/remission)...to each their own...discuss it further with your doc.

Be patient with the rectal meds though, the worst the flare, the longer it can take to work.


BIG ((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))) to you! You will get through this.

There isn't enough steroid in Cortifoam to cause the majority of patients any issues...also since it doesn't go into your blood stream the way oral pred (oral steroids) do, is another reason that the majority will not have any side effects from it. Plus with it being a foam, it can reach further up than any suppository can.

Very true, everyone is different and does have different experiances with the options currently out there for sure...as long as you find something that works, that's the main thing.

Hugs also. It is a hard shock when you felt you were young and healthy and now have to deal with this for always. Some people however do have a very mild course and experience long remisions. I also have had a very hard time dealing with it. I think we have all had our denial periods too.

With only proctitis, the question of how far the drug reaches is less important. However UC spreads form the rectum upwards, so this issue may become more important.

The 5-asa suppository may be best for you because it does not have the sulfate that is in the generic Rowasa. I actually get a bit of bleeding from the sulfate suspension. I am considering the name-brand sulfate free, but it is very expensive. I think I could manage it if I was down to twice weekly or something.

I need to get my left-side under control, so I had not considered suppositories. Could work well for you though if inflammation does not extend too far into the sigmoid colon.

Hope your spirits lift a bit.

Post Edited (DBwithUC) : 5/17/2012 1:53:57 PM (GMT-6)

oops .. fixed

Chrissy-

Have you had a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy?

I am a firm believer that without adequate treatment the UC will spread upwards.

I feel like Rowasa reaches higher up in the colon than Canasa and would be more effective.

My hubby also has UP and on his diagnosis he used Rowasa and Hydrocortiosne enemas and

when that did not completely alleviate all his problems he had to add in Asacol.

He used Rowasa with the Asacol for a couple months and then was able to stop the enemas

and now maintains on Asacol.

It sure is hard to advocate for yourself but you deserve as much time with your Dr as you need.

Don't stop bothering them until you get waht you need.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you everyone, from the bottom of my heart for all of the hugs, support and info you give to me. I'm so thrilled I found this board.

I did have a colonoscopy last year that showed a small area(like 2cm) in my rectum that was inflamed. I feel kind of dumb that I was half in denial since last year. I'm feeling much better today. I've always worked out doing Tae-Bo, tennis or running but I've not tried an actual yoga class until this week. It was the best thing for me because I feel like stress is more of a trigger for me than certain foods. I was able to release a lot of tension from just one class. Besides keeping up with meds and a clean diet, I think mind/body exercises will be crucial for me.

Again, thanks so much for all of the love and support. This is a great group of people.