advice: supplements and oral Mesalamines

Hey guys, just looking for some advice.
-per usual, I suppose.
So - update - hemorrhoid is getting better! I believe form: sitz baths, added fiber, and UC symptoms improving.

1.) I believe my UC symptoms are improving because of some changes to my diet: limit un-pronouncables (nitrates, additives, etc) severely limit wheat/gluten intake, adding cooked mashed vegetables (2 servings a day.) Generally I have been eating more and pooping less! Also urgency is reducing; well, no... I crapped my pants TWICE this morning. Maybe urgency seems like its reducing because I'm going less often, lol.

2.) Still no blood (and hemmy has been giving me less blood troubles as well!!) Pain/gas is quite minimal. Only other thing (besides poop pants) I'm having issues with is the feeling of "Rectal Pressure" in my sacral area. Whether I'm standing or sitting (especially standing) I feel like there is a giant warm rock pressing down on my sacral area (right above my butt crack.) It just feels heavy and uncomfortable. Not like I have to poop, no pressure inside or against my anus... but just this very strange pressure. Ice and heat help. I think it may be a joint/muscle thing, maybe an arthritis (I also have psoriasis.)

3.) I should have an appointment with a real GI in a couple weeks. Probably 3 max. Currently I am on balsalazide. This med did stop the bleeding, but only that. I am trying to help the diarrhea with diet, but I know urgency is an inflammation thing; so in order to stop crapping myself, I need the inflammation to go away. Was wondering:
Do you think I should try another mesalamine? Lialda DID work at first before, and current med has helped some. Maybe I should try Apriso, Asacol, Canasa and see if any of them can get me in full remission?
I know, I know... add rectal meds. Get right up in there and show that inflammation who's boss. But I can't help but want to try to see if any other oral meds could clear this up completely.

4.) Supplements: I am ready to start adding supplements back in. I know for sure that I will be taking Curcumin. I also want to add a quality probiotic in. If VSL3 is covered by my new insurance, I will probably go that route. VitD3, slippery elm, all these crazy oils you guys talk about Thyme oil? WOO.. I dont even know what that is! lol. I want to try to create an anti-inflammatory diet and supplement regimen.

Yeah, a lot to tackle with this post.
I have been having more energy. Like... I danced around the house with my iPod today cleaning and organizing for 2+ hours. This is "normal Katie" things and my husband bout had a heart attack. And I shoveled. Sidewalks and part of the driveway for like 20 minutes. LIKING THE ENERGY BACK! :D

After the hemorrhoid/doctors being useless/fearing I would lose my job situation; I felt really down. Really defeated. Just.... done.
But I'm trying to pull myself up! And I think that is why my energy is back and maybe my symptoms are reducing a little. I'm trying really hard to be human again and not let all this crap STEAL MY LIFE anymore than it already has.

So thanks for your support and advice. HealingWell has been so helpful for me. I genuinely appreciate every one of you so darn much!

Glad you're doing better.

RECTAL MEDS.

Sorry for shouting, but there is no way that an oral med is going to kick that final bit of inflammation out.

Are there OTC rectal meds?

Ohhhh rectal meds! I really dont mind... just a pill is easier, lol.

Cant wait to get a GI appt made! Weee!

*sits in sitz bath until appt* (im gunna be pretty pruney...)

Lol!

I was diagnosed by colonoscopy. And also had barium enema. My doctor was an idiot. 150% idiot.

Lialda wasn't covered by my insurance so she was getting me samples. We tried another drug (I dont even remember now!) But it was also 400$+ a month WITH insurance.

When the missed lialda happened and the increase in symptoms I didnt know what to do because that doctor was useless. I had started losing 5-8 lbs a week and no one in her office was helping me!

So I had posted on the boards here and someone suggested that generic colozal was less than $100 a month out of pocket. So I went and saw my NP and she and my GP decided to prescribe me what I was asking for.

As for my dx: I had a stricture halfway through my transverse colon that stopped the colonoscopy from going farther. My biopsies confirmed UC. And the stricture went away rather quickly once meds started.

Barium enema showed inflammation throughout colon. The little indentations were not very prominent in the xrays. My colon looked like a balloon animal instead of having the bumps throughout.

I am hoping to have another colonoscopy soon, once I get a GI. Id love to see how things look now. I know it got worse than July's pictures at one point, but I am sure its a lot better now. :)


Had more squiggle wiggle poops and blobs tonight! Feel pretty happy about that. But some extra discomfort. Had to adjust the bed to a weird position to hubz chose the couch instead. Boo. Thanks UC! :P