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What happens when you are close to remission ?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/23/2015 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have about 7 days of Prednisone left. My GI told me to visit him after 3 months, that was 1 month ago, so in 2 months. I have had a formed stool for about two months now, and I am better. Not perfect, but I am not sure what "perfect" means anymore (the problems started in August 2014). He told me I need to go for a second colonoscopy. I wasn't aware that I need a second colonoscopy before the last visit.

My question is what exactly happens before remission? Is it just colonoscopy and they just decide if you are in remission based on what they see? Any additional info will do.

Thank you
Posted 9/23/2015 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
you can judge symptom remission. formed stool and no blood/mucus. this may also be called clinical remission.

visual remission, is based on inspection by scope, and there is no visible inflammation.

histological remission is based on biopsies taken during a scope. this means a pathologist does not see any signs of chronic inflammation.

The only reason to care about more than clinical remission is because inflammation nor causing symptoms can still be dangerous and lead to cancer.


in you case, the key will be how your UC responds after you finish the pred taper. Unless your other medication has gotten a good handle on the UC, the symptoms will just return.
Posted 9/23/2015 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Ohhh, forgot to say. I've never had any visible blood OR mucus. Also, I have a formed stool.

I am also taking Asacol, switched to it from Salazopyrin a month ago,
Posted 9/23/2015 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
It's a tricky question, but ultimately one that you'll have to feel out for yourself. The real test will be establishing asymptomatic UC without the prednisone, and with some maintenance medication and/or diet modification.

For me, it's no cramping, urgency, blood or diarrhea during/after bowel movements. It would be like the pre-UC days where my bms are solid and I can hold it in as long as I need to. Weight gain is a major sign of progress and shows that the intestines are not malfunctioning.

I don't agree with getting another colonoscopy, and it is your choice -- not the doctor's. An old-school GI I had let my symptoms be the guide and avoided unnecessary colonoscopies. He would base "remission" off how I felt and whether I was able to put on weight. I tend to agree with this approach since colonoscopies can potentially aggravate situations.

Edit: Lots of spelling errors ****.

Post Edited (Guardian7) : 9/23/2015 12:03:05 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/23/2015 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
What happens when you're close to remission? You start forgetting you have uc and living normally, as you're not suffering from horrible uc symptoms and not being limited or bossed around by your behind :-)

Symptomatic remission can be determined without a colonoscopy. If you're pooping consistently 1 or 2 times a day, solid bm, no blood, no urgency then you've reached it. Clinical remission requires a scope and biopsies. I, personally, don't feel the invasive scope is necessary, as remission can be determined without it.

Now take a step back, as you're currently on prednisone and remission never includes prednisone. You've got to sustain those results when you're fully off of prednisone to call it a true remission.
Posted 9/23/2015 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
What iPoop said.....

You dance, you jump for joy, you get a good night's sleep!!!!
Posted 9/23/2015 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
If you are back to normal, I also don't see the point of a colonoscopy. That seems crazy to me. You should be taking at least 2.4 grams of Asacol per day, FOREVER. If it is working well then you will still be in remission after tapering off the pred. If the Asacol isn't up to the job then in a few weeks after tapering your pred, like around the time of your next GI visit, you may already be getting worse. Good luck.
Posted 9/24/2015 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
I was in symptomatic remission for a year after tapering from prednisone and taking asacol. Felt great and absolutely no issues. Had the follow up scope at the 9 month mark and it showed inflammation so I wasn't in remission. I refused other treatment because I felt so good and ended up hospitalized a few months later for 3 weeks due to a bad bad flare.

I personally wish I had explored other options when my scope results came in and avoided this flare. It's been hell. I'd get the recommended colonoscopies just to know what you are facing and research other options. I ended up making decisions out of fear and urgency instead of taking the time to research.
Posted 9/24/2015 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the help. Once you told me it isn't necessary I thought I wouldn't go, but then again I have mild symptoms of UC. So aggravation wouldn't be that much of a problem I think. Because I don't want it to spread I will go for it...

*sigh* Staying home for a couple of days and drinking that disgusting fluid, but hey now I know that it is disgusting so I am going to do research and prepare for it... I'll probably add something that will make it bearable.
Posted 9/25/2015 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck!!! Wishing you full remission.
Posted 9/25/2015 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks
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