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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/20/2016 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed on 8/28/16 w Ulcerative Colitis. I was very sick for 6 weeks prior with the doctors always testing me to bacterial infections and retesting, but never moving forward with any other prognosis until I was taken to the ER for severe dehydration. The ER doctors did a CT Scan followed by a colonoscopy to discover the Ulcerative Colitis. Only 2 inches of my right colon were not affected. So it was pretty advanced. I've lost 25 lbs - not the best diet and can't seem to get a pound back, although I'm eating like a pig!

Since diagnosis, for the past 3 weeks, I have been on Prednisone (currently tapering off - currently 30mg/day) and also Mesalimine (Delzicol 800mg-3x per day). I am on my 7th day of Mesalimine enema.

I asked to start trying the enema because I was still having cramping and couldn't sleep at night because I was needing to get up at least every hour with what felt like I need to relieve myself, and it was mostly cramping. Now that I'm on the enema, I am good all day, take the enema around 8:30p and sleep until 5:30am with the need to go to the restroom and I'm good for the day. I like this! My stools are still loose (diarrhea) with a little blood in them. Does this mean I'm in remission? What is the definition of remission? How long until I get a solid stool? Should I be upping my fiber? Add in Probiotics? I'm currently not following a special diet, but I'm tracking everything I eat in case something flares me up.

Does anyone else have a problem with their taste? I'm not sure if its from the Prednisone or the Mesalimine, but anything with carbonation tastes like straight soda water - I can't taste any of the sweetness. I'm hoping its the Prednisone. Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!
Posted 9/20/2016 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
No you are not in remission. Remission is generally a complete absence of symptoms -- returning to your normal state.

Continue with your current treatment and perhaps talk to your doctor about holding at 30 mg of pred until symptoms improve more and then continue to taper.

I don't have any thoughts about the taste issue -- perhaps someone else may have some thoughts on that

Welcome to the forum, though I am so sorry you have to be here!
Posted 9/20/2016 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Never heard about loss of sensitivity to sweetness

If there is still mucus and blood and watery stools, then it is not remission. You might say your symptoms are partially managed.

about 40% of mesalamine users get t remission in weeks to months. Some are on pred until they are managed, then taper. Some (beyond 40%) slowly get controlled, and get remission after a year. I did. Unfortunately some do not get control or remission and have to use other treatment options.

Hopefully you will be in the 40% that responds quickly, but the exact amount of time until consistently formed stools still varies by individual.

good luck
Posted 9/20/2016 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum.

"Does this mean I'm in remission? What is the definition of remission? " Nope, sorry, remission is a total absence of uc symptoms: no blood, urgency, diarrhea, pain, etc. The word remission never applies when prednisone is currently in use, must be steroid-free.

"How long until I get a solid stool?" Remission often includes solid stool or at least semi-solid stool. Be patient, you're healing and heading in the right direction.

"Should I be upping my fiber? Add in Probiotics?" Fiber cannot turn water into solids. It does firm a little bit though. I'd hold off on fiber until you're seeing semi-solids or mush. Fiber is abrasive and when taken too soon, it can make things worse (uc inflammation makes the intestinal wall raw and bleeding). You can try a probiotic.
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