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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/17/2013 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hey! Newbie here and I have some questions that hopefully someone could answer for me...

1. I was never given a definitive diagnosis as to what type of colitis I have. I assume that since I do not have bloody stool I do not have ulcerative colitis. What is a simplistic answer to the types of colitis and how can I ask my GI doctor what I have 1 1/2 years post-diagnosis without sounding like an idiot?

2. This is a very frustrating issue for me. Back in February I was finally able to start on Asacol 400mg 2 tabs TID. It worked like magic and was tremendously happy with it until I found out it was no longer being offered anymore. I was off meds for 2 weeks before my GI doctor put me on Asacol HD 800mg 300mg (2 am, 1 pm). All the time with either Asacols, I've been on Topamax (a migraine med). The problem is that I am having flares and even constipation (just like when I'm not on meds sans abdominal cramping). Has anyone whose transitioned from the regular to the HD had similar situations?

I was curious how I should approach my GI doctor on Thursday? What about Lialda? Is that comparable to regular Asacol 400?

3. Lastly, what is whole bioequivilency issue between Asacol 400 and Asacol HD 800? Why should one not be able to take two of a regular 400 to equal one of HD 800

Sorry for so many questions...I'm very frustrated by the lack of answers.
Posted 7/17/2013 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Just because you do not have bloody stool does not necessarily mean you do not have UC, especially if you were officially diagnosed with it previously. You could just be in a partial remission. What was your original symptoms?

The various segments of UC are:

Proctitis: Involvement limited to the rectum.

Proctosigmoiditis: Involvement of the rectosigmoid colon, the portion of the colon adjacent to the rectum.

Left-sided colitis: Involvement of the descending colon, which runs along the patient's left side, up to the splenic flexure and the beginning of the transverse colon.

Pancolitis: Involvement of the entire colon, extending from the rectum to the cecum, beyond which the small intestine begins.
Posted 7/17/2013 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
Cramping, gassiness, diarrhea, and urgency. I would also get hard, tender lumps in my upper abdomen painful to the touch. I just turned 27, diagnosed at 25, strong symptoms since early 20s, and always some symptoms since I was a child.

Cramping would be so bad, the only relief would be the fetal position.

Urgency would be defined as about 6-8 bathroom breaks a day or more.

The symptoms definitely worsened around 21 or 22 years old.
Posted 7/17/2013 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
hi para

Ask your doctor (a GI I hope) for a copy of your last colonoscopy. I assume you had one with biopsies to diagnose and name your IBD. This is not an unusual request for you to have a copy for your home file. You should be knowledgeable about what your exact diagnosis is and where in your colon your colitis is located.

You do not mention mesalamine enemas but they are very beneficial for almost all types of UC, much better than the suppositories. You should get a script at your appt. and then use them.

Different Rx meds target different areas of the colon. Once you know what your diagnosis is then you can read up on what meds are appropriate but your doctor can also explain why you are taking one med instead of another. Ask questions.

When you tell your doctor that the med change is not working well he/she will have suggestions such as wait and see or change to another med. The more you learn the better, not to tell your doctor what to do but to be a full partner in managing your health.
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