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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/9/2016 9:18 AM (GMT 0)
i got diagnosed with UC in September and since ive been on the max dose of Mezavant and Asacol foam enemas one a day. At first the Mezavant was working, but gradually symptoms were coming back so the enema was added in and it helped a bit but then symptoms were getting worse. They switched me from Mezavant to Pentasa Granules which worked but bad side effects so had to come off them and go back on Mezavant. That was 2 weeks ago and have since been bleeding and having diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Ive got the hospital tomorrow and they are wanting me to start Azathioprine and take steroids in the mean time until the Aza kicks in (ive had the blood tests and im suitable for aza)

I just wanted to know, is that the only option ive got regarding treatment? Ive been trying to avoid the steroids, but not sure ive got any option. Thought things might calm down, but going to the toilet more and more with watery diarrhea. food is just running through me

xx
Posted 3/9/2016 11:10 AM (GMT 0)
I feel SO badly for you. Just KNOW...there IS a drug to help you. Sometimes it takes a few trials, by your doctor, to find the best one for you, but they will. Just don't give up. I was diagnosed over 15 years ago and felt, what seems like, just how you must be feeling now. Thanks to my doctor, I was in remission for many YEARS. Remicade works for me, but there are many, many drugs to be tried. Best of luck to speed you into remission.
Posted 3/9/2016 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Gizmo, it seems that things work for me at first and then my body gets immune to it or the disease gets worse. will just need to try something stronger. xxx
Posted 3/9/2016 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Azathioprine and corticosteroids sound appropriate given your history. Controlling uc symptoms often mean getting aggressive with treatments early, in some.
Posted 3/9/2016 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
its just a bit scary, especially reading all the side effects! :( xxx
Posted 3/9/2016 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
it is likely more reasonable than a biologic - especially one that recommends AZA anyway.

you can try to find probiotics and/or supplements and/or nutritional therapies that could take enough edge off of the symptoms to let the Meazvant manage.

good luck
Posted 3/9/2016 4:47 PM (GMT 0)

masonsmummy said...
its just a bit scary, especially reading all the side effects! :( xxx

Yeah, everyone is initially concerned about the potential side effects, myself included when I started 6mp (similar medication to Azathioprine). What really helped me was weighing the risks versus the benefits. The odds of Azathioprine improving your uc symptoms is 60-70 percent. The odds of adverse side effects are statistically rare, less than 1 percent, but serious when they do occur. Infact, I was on 6mp for two years and didn't experience a single side effect. The most concerning side effect of these medications is lymphoma which has odds of 4 in 10,000 (or 0.04 percent) compared to 2 in 10,000 ( or 0.02 percent) for the general population. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is the source for these statistics and provide a lot of great details on side effects and odds:
Webcast: programs.rmei.com/CCFA139VL/presentation/player.html
Transcript: www.ccfa.org/assets/pdfs/risk-and-benefits-transcript.pdf
Posted 3/9/2016 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Side effects can definitely be scary! Often the side effects are temporary and wear off the longer you're on the med and often the risk of many of the side effects are rare so those things definitely help tone down the scary for sure. If the side effects are threatening your GI will take you off them, you just have to be very good with communicating things back to your doc to help him monitor you on the meds.
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