Doc enjoyed my analogy.

Quincy would enjoy this story.

Dr-A said...
Gave the doc the ole "Using pills to help the lower colon inflammation is like poring water over your head to put out a fire on your big toe." He just laughed and said he was going to keep that one and use it next time he was trying to convince someone to use an enema.

Your analogy is weak. I tried enemas before, doesn't do SHAT. Suebear had how did she put it....hmmm, a quarter size inflammation in her rectum..that's it. She removed the whole colon which had no issues including the rectum cause she couldn't reduce the inflammation. A QUARTER SIZE patch of inflammation dude. lol

I give you a better analogy. The enemy is hiding. If the covert teams can't find it, then you just use the big guns and level the place. yeeeeaaaaaahhh.....i.e. remi, humira, simponi, the new coming SSI... not little asacols and masacols and baby lollies. Some UCs are stubborn mother....we need some real stuff.

BTw, I had to edit to emphasize the fact that I even participated in a clinical trial for FMT which was via enema, so I got some EXP under by belt. *cough* lol

I agree with dude, enemas (esp mesalamine ones) didn't do shat for me either.
I remember there is a saying that goes "the first step to success is recognising the enemy", well with UC we do NOT know who the enemy is, so we keep getting new drugs that 'level the place' (as somedude kindly put it) which ofcourse means innocent casualties, like your immune system, pancreas, liver and other non important organs *sarcastic face*

Quincy: true. If it works it's fantastic, if it doesn't well it means you have to look at alternatives and there aren't many.

"I still think the enemas work, for those who respond to mesalamine. Somedude, it doesn't surprise me at all that the enemas didn't do anything for you -- mesalamine, whether in the oral or rectal form, doesn't do sh!t to treat your UC.

However, I still believe that if oral mesalamine helps, oral + rectal mesalamine will help even more."

Yeah. I think you're right. Of all the treatments that I have ever tried, the only thing I respond the best, appart from pred, is biologics.

I wish there was a stool test or blood test that would tell me with 100% accuracy what works for me so I can stop hunting for crap.

Quincy said...
It's a concept and unfortunately, a commitment. For some it works, others not...It doesn't mean the concept sucks for what it's meant...no more, no less.

Even you have to admit that rectal meds may not be for everybody. But they are usually effective enough to be worth trying.

Now take your own words, "For some it works, others not...It doesn't mean the concept sucks for what it's meant...no more, no less", and apply those same words to diet modification.

Just because diet doesn't work for you doesn't mean it cannot work for anybody else.

I liked the analogy and I am going to note it down as well.

Mesalamines work (unless you have allergy issues or similar). I believe, many of us do not use them correctly, that includes me too. As and when I was in flare, I would start mesalamine. Its not a 'treatment' drug but a 'maintenance' drug. You get your fire under control and when it is healed, you use mesalamine to keep it in check.

Now that I started using like this, it helps. Previously, I was just flushing my money down the toilet.

But still take the 5-asa orally they can still help right??

Dr-A, how are your children? You haven't updated us in a while. Also, another member here (KS1905) recently launched a thread inquiring about Simponi-- maybe you could advise him (?). / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)

Babe...unless you haven't read my other posts, I more often than not suggest diet changes, for food itself can cause some symptoms. I disagree that it'll cause flares or heal them, that's a personal perspective, but foods can certainly exacerbate some symptoms and have a person feeling much worse.

Even those of us who don't have UC will have food symptoms. DIFFERENT issue, so I didn't say food "doesn't work for me"...I have said I adjust my food intake depending on comfort and symptoms. sheesh. I also caution people to be aware that if oatmeal, granola, yogurt, etc is cut out and your stool isn't loose anymore, it's not a UC issue.


I also don't only suggest mesalamine...if it doesn't work or if one cannot take them, then there are steroid topicals of oral/rectal to try.

Options....rectal meds are always worth trying. It's unfortunate that doctors don't suggest them initially.

And...let me add that there are some who put it off for a long time and are obvious supporters of the "concept" of using them...and are ticked that their doctors say "it won't help"..wth?

I say I won't do other meds...but I can't deny success I've had. I don't know how I would have done otherwise with the OTHER GI I could have been sent to.


Linda...some of us are saying yes to oral 5ASA meds...if you can use them, are helpful. But some cannot take them at all...next options are oral topical steroids or the other meds up the progressive line.








I didn't invent rectal meds by the way.....just to be clear, and I'm not the only proponent of them either.

q