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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/21/2013 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
So I started flaring and could not get in to see my regular GI. Instead I got an associate of his it it was a world of difference. He spent a good 25 to 30 minutes with me discussing options and issues. I'll admit it was very overwhelming and very depressing really. According to my last coloscopy I have severe left sided UC. My prior GI just said I had UC with no details. We talked about what was going on with me and since I had been out of the country a week ago he put me on Flagyl and Cipro because I might of picked something up that was causing the flare. I pointed out I can not take Imuran and he immediately ask how high my liver numbers had gotten on it(my last GI would not listen when I said Imuran was killing my liver). So then he mentioned Remicade as a possibility in the future if other things don't work out. In the meantime I am having bloodwork including Promethus TMPT Genetics, Promethus TPMT Enzymes, B12, QFT-G, and CBC. On top of that I am having a bunch of stool testing, and a MRCP(MRI) on my liver. But wait there is more. I am switching from Asacol to Lialda 1.2 g(higher dose than the Asacol was) and just to keep the rectal police here happy Rowasa enemas! At least he did not suggest Pred.
Posted 3/21/2013 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds good all around!!! keep us posted how you're doing now that you're on the Rowasa and a change of oral 5ASA.

Are you going to stay with this GI?

q
Posted 3/21/2013 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a very thorough GI. Just a thought...if this new plan needs extra help....what about UCeris?
B
Posted 3/21/2013 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
rectal police. LOL.
Posted 3/21/2013 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I did not ask about UCeris but if things don't get better I will next time. I will be staying with this GI instead of my old one. Same practice with multiple so it is an easy switch. There are 4 or 5 Gi's at this practice and they have 3 locations. Anyone else ever had a Liver MRCP?
Posted 3/21/2013 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
I did the same thing within my old Gi's practice. He couldn't see me one time and I had to see someone else who I ended up liking much better. I had left sided uc and the Lialda was wonderful for me. Hope it helps you too and of course the enemas. I now 4 years later only have 2cm of inflammation in the rectum however it is still mild to moderate.
Posted 3/22/2013 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I'll be very interested to hear what your response is to Lialda as opposed to Asacol. My boss was prescribed Asacol and I'm on Lialda, and when I did a little googling, I found a study that seemed to indicate that Lialda is released in a consistent and steady manner throughout the colon than Asacol, which may release earlier. I've tried to get him to ask his GI why he prefers Asacol over Lialda, or whether it is specifically better for some than others, but I can't even get him to actually get a prescription for corticosteroid enemas. I think he defers way too much to his dr.
Posted 3/22/2013 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Scum1,
I think Quincy has experience w/ the liver thing...so you may want to check w/ her.
B
Posted 3/22/2013 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
I'm currently on colazal, but Asacol was the drug of choice for a while. I switched to Lialda at one point to see if it was any better and honestly it just made me gassy lol. Asacol did too, but I think I noticed it more with the Lialda. Colazal doesn't have that effect on me thank goodness!
Posted 3/22/2013 8:56 AM (GMT 0)
yep, had 2 MRCPs. easy. loud.

You'll have to drink a small amount of grapefruit juice since that seems to give better viewing of the bile ducts. Then you'll have an IV inserted with Saline...and about half-way through the test, a type of contrast will be injected.

You'll have headphones on that will have the tester giving you directions for certain breathing, holding breath, normal breathing, etc.

The entire test takes about 40 minutes, and it goes fairly quickly.

I think you have to go without food for a certain amount of time, mine were always very early in the morning, so I fasted from night before. Afterward I went for a good breakfast.

I also requested a CD copy of the MRCP for my records. Very cool to have it.

q
Posted 3/22/2013 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
All clones at my place, the ones that walk thru the hospital are even worse.

I need an entire new outfit.

My current GI refuses to write a script for Uceris.
Posted 3/22/2013 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
So loaded up at the pharmacy. I had to call my GI back though because he said to take 4 lialda each morning and then prescribed only 60 tablets. That's only 2 weeks worth and the lialda discount card only works once a month. I can't afford to pay full price in 2 weeks. I have not even opened the enema box yet. I'm scared especially of keeping it in all night I looked into it and my insurance will only cover 60 lialda tablets per month.

Post Edited (scum1) : 3/22/2013 5:28:11 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/25/2013 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Well I got some blood test results back from my PCP and my Liver enzymes are back up. Maybe it was not the Imuran after all(although my numbers came down after I got off of it) I am getting scared I may have Primary Sclerosing Cholongitis. Great news. I may have to get on some meds for depression at this rate. Things just keep going down hill it seems. Have my appointment for MRCP on April 1. Just hope the jokes not on me
Posted 3/26/2013 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
My GI called and I'm switching to Asacol HD since my insurance wont cover 4 lialda per day. I'm going to go ahead and take 4 lialda per day till they run out(2 weeks) then switch. so much wasted meds otherwise
Posted 3/26/2013 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
well that's a bummer. Sorry to hear it. Have you tried your enemas yet? And it's just mesalamine enemas, not corticosteroids?
Posted 3/26/2013 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Yes the mesalamine enema went ok. My first last night. Last a couple of hours but I can do better tonight I think
Posted 3/26/2013 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck with all of it :-)
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