Day one without cortenema ...so upset advice needed

about your husband's cancer. Where exactly was it and what was the surgery he had? I'm assuming he's having c-scopes yearly?

I could very well understand the paranoia about health for your kids (that's why I have none based on my family health/mental health history).
If it's explained as to the why...they will get it.

My Godmother's step-son ended up dying from colon cancer. He left the symptoms until extremely serious, then sought care. His mom died of colon cancer at a young age in her 30's.

His kids, siblings and their kids had c-scopes and only one was found with the same cancer...she had a total colectomy (ostomy) when she was pre or early teen and is doing fine.

Since you had indeterminate colitis...you might stump diagnosis forever.
The upper area should be treated regardless....yes, I'll always state it. but it's good to hear it's not worse. Could be because of your treatment of the rectum diligently. But the single ulcer could be an entity of its own, but treated well with 5ASA. I would say as long as it's monitored, that's a good thing.

Did you have upper endoscopy? Maybe you can push for the pill-cam.

Good for the testing re h.pylori and good all clear.

I would suggest 5ASA before the immunosuppressant meds. Basically...side effects. Not all agree with everyone. If your inflammation was spreading or could not be controlled with 5ASA alone, then it's something to consider. I don't think one can be on immunomeds forever. So, step one should be exhausted. There are also topical steroids such as Entocort oral...another option, maybe low dosage is enough for you.

The promethius....if it's more for CD than UC...don't know. All I've heard is that it's not definitive. But, it's still IBD, meds are the same.

Both CD and UC can hit any time. Seems the different "forms" can be self-limiting or not. I have no idea if my UC was treated at least 2 years earlier if it wouldn't have morphed into the sigmoid. It might have if I was only treated with suppositories and not enemas and oral 5ASA. It might have if I was only treated with pred (as one doc suggested he would do for me).

Some of my biopsies stated super mild inflammation in other areas of my colon. Not to be seen at all, and my GI was surprised, but not worried. Could be various reasons...but again, if I wasn't treated continually on my meds, don't know if that could have eventually been the "tendency" for it to continue upward...Nothing in the cecum ever.

It's also believed that 5ASA helps in the prevention of colon cancer. But aspirin has the same claim in low dosage.
But, some cannot take 5ASA which continues inflammation....


Anyhoo...we don't seek help until something bothers us. We freak, some tests are done, all negative. Oh, it's only IBS, try not to worry, lower your stress levels..etc. But not all parts are tested until it's worse. Some blood tests will not determine degree of something wrong and and aren't reliable to say what's going on regarding inflammation or flare or progression, etc.

Your doc can't answer the question regardless....unfortunately they're still learning and researching UC/CD.


Regarding my hemmie/fissure. Well, I certainly feel it! constantly...so the time I wasted being lazy has made the point. And, I know for sure that I will possibly flare if I don't deal consistently...so supps daily for a few more days and external proctocedyl a few times a day. Actually feels like my period (as I remember it being), with discomfort "movement"in the very lower part of the rectum/anus and a bit in my butt cheeks and thighs.


Oh, happy that the Metamucil is working for you. Yes, I'd suggest you add to another meal if you do 3X daily...or just increase to the ones you're already eating. You'll find if you take too many.

Hope I didn't forget any comments. Let me know if I did.
q

Well, the period!!! say no more. The hormonal changes increase prostaglandins and can increase bowel activity. I always got worse with periods, but I also had endo and fibroids. Hell from day one, ugh.

Do the breakfast 2, and do one at supper. Leave that for a few days and then if all is good add another at supper for another few days or up to a week.

Regarding my gm's step-son ... he didn't tell anyone...he was scoped once the complaints started and he already was advanced in the cancer.
Just to add that's before I was diagnosed, but with the bleeding already started. Scary thoughts for sure.

Good all is clear regarding your husband's scopes. My MIL's colon cancer was also on the right side and she had probably the same amount removed too. My husband put off the c-scope for a few years, and although her type of cancer was very slow growing, when my husband had his scope last year, there was a very small polyp just abouve the rectum. All clear otherwise.

I have both fissure and external hemmie. I don't treat it every day, but I should with something at least. Wiping..I rip it open often (more aggressive wiping I guess).
I'm using the enemas nightly as of tonight till the weekend, the proctocedyl supps in the day and the external proctocedyl a few times a day (when I have access).
I feel much better tonight, so something's working.

Unless I have another inside the anus , or also an internal hemmie that's sort of bleeding with the streak on the TP in addition to the both external. If it continues, I'll get my GI to take a look when I'm there in Oct. I can certainly feel something more when I'm trying to insert the enema just at the edge of the anus...but it's definitely swollen. The proctocedyl ointment is handy as a lubrication, and I think I'll use it more often.

Hope you have a better feeling day!

q

Hi..yeah, the lower half has always been a problem it seems. I had to have cyrosurgery for cervical precancer (1981). I had a tubal ligation (1992) a year before the hysterectomy (1993). That's when the gyne found the endo. I didn't find out till my first check-up 6 weeks later that a cyst on my overy burst during the surgery. Hmmm. I was quite ticked.

Also, I ended up with a bladder infection 2 days after the tubal...strep...maybe from the catheter. Never felt pain like that before..but meds cleared it up quickly.

The year afterward, I was at the urologists often, some bladder infections, others just cloudy urine. He though I had interstitial cystitis. I had the bladder scope, and while all was clear, I never had a bladder infection after that. Maybe my bladder needed a good washing out..lol. That was a relief considering I was in school full-time.

I did go to another gyne who found the fibroids and more endo areas through ultrasound. The hysterectomy was the best solution, and I had it done during the summer off from my course. It was a relief to say the least. No bladder infections afterward.


Awesome to hear you had good poos today....if no urgency, then things are improving. The bit of blood can be normal...if you have an area very low in the rectum, the consistent use of the meds should eventually deal with that. As well...I think an oral med addition can give a boost to the rest of the colon just in case there's some reaction to very mild inflammation. Calms everything...the rectum might just "surrender" (I'm watching too much Dog whisperer..lol). Pinkish is better than red...meaning it's getting less friagle/fragile. All good.

Yes it can take a long while. unfortunately. But, you're improving in more leaps than baby steps, not getting worse. Patience. I heard that for years from my GI....hmm, hard to believe it was that may years ago. But, I share that thought...it's true.
There's no way you will ever hurry it up...the butt rules!!


Ah, you totally get the fear/cancer thing with someone you know. Far more intimate for you than for me...

My husband is due for the next scope in 4 years. All was clear so no worries. I might push him to do it earlier, however. Especially if my GI plans to retire.

I see my GI every 6 months, same with my GP. They're in the same clinic building (10 floors), so convenient regarding blood tests, etc. I can usually get in to see either if I'm sick.

My butt is doing much better today...lesson learned. d'uh! Makes it easier since I have time off to deal with them.

Hope tomorrow fares better.

q