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worth trying 6-mp, etc, for microscopic remission?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/10/2015 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All -
It's been a while since I've posted. Hi to all the "old timers" and greetings to folks I don't know yet!

I have been doing well on Lialda, Canasa, and a single dose of VSL#3DS (I take more if I start to sense inflammation). However, often in August I have a low-grade flare and end up using Cortisone enemas for a few weeks. (Rowasa does not work for me.) I saw my GI today for a routine visit and he said that the last few scopings have shown a mostly quiescent colon, but with slight signs of inflammation in some of the samples.

He posed the question, as he has before: would I be willing to try stepping up the medication to come to complete remission on the cellular level? Perhaps this August flare-up thing would stop?

My answer has always been "no" because I feel well, I live an active life, and I can't imagine that the potential side effects of a higher level med would be a good trade off for me.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, and what have you done? I would be interested in responses.
Posted 9/10/2015 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't keep going as is but I would not jump up the med ladder at this time. I have several questions:

1. Have you been tested for allergies? The August thing may be due to allergies.

2. How much Turmeric do you take per day? Studies show it can help people stay in remission but most here who have success with it take at least 3 grams per day and sometimes much more than that. You may also want to switch to Curcumin instead of Turmeric.

3. How many millligrams are your Canasa?

I would try upping anything you can up ahead of time starting in July instead of waiting for signs of a flare.

Just to be nosy, what keeps your son in remission from Pancolitis?
Posted 9/10/2015 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome back SongLady!

I agree with Gary, don't escalate up to 6-mp unless it is absolutely necessary. The Lialda that you are now taking has anti-cancer properties while 6-mercaptopurine is an immunosuppressive medication. Relapse is very common after stopping so you might be on it for a very long time.

You don't need to live with a compromised immune system. There is a show on cable TV called ”Monsters Inside Me” about parasitic worms, mold, amoeba, etc. I have seen too many episodes where the narrator says that a particular parasite is harmless to those with a healthy immune system, but very dangerous if your body cannot fight it off.

I agree with Gary about checking for allergies. I usually had problems in late Spring when I was pigging out on stone fruits like cherries and plums before I realized what was happening. Monitoring my diet and certain supplements help keep the flares away. Check out my signature.
Posted 9/10/2015 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
It's an interesting question. At face value, I would say no, it's not worth 6mp/imuran just to go from symptomatic to clinical remission. However, flaring annually makes me take pause and reconsider. How bad are the flares? Are you usually at 1 bm a day? I haven't had any side effects from the hardcore medications despite being on them for two years. The odds of side effects are less than 1 percent. Certainly, it's true that deep-tissue healing results in the longest remissions.
Posted 9/10/2015 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Because of a lead pipe sigmoid colon from years-ago long inflammation, I am not sure I would ever get better than what I usually have: 2 - 3 poops daily as a normal thing. All in the morning.
When I am having an August flare, I might go 6 times, with a little blood; 3 times in the morning, once after lunch, once in the evening. Not a severe flare at all (I was "there" years ago!) So, nothing to really cramp my style, so to speak. :-) Just an awareness that things aren't at their best.
Posted 9/10/2015 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm doesn't quite sound like a symptomatic remission normally 2-3 bms. 6 bms is borderline mild/severe. I'd go for 6mp/imuran, myself. You might not need a very high dose at all to achieve clinical remission and avoid the annual flare.
Posted 9/10/2015 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
No dont move up until ansolutely nesseasay. You seem fine and coping. Wait until you cant. Good luck
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