Remission in older people

I am 68 years old and was taken off mercaptopurine 3 months ago due to possible long term side effects of lymphoma as I had been on it for 14 years and was symptom free. I was put on salofalk enemas twice a week and have been fine so far. Fingers crossed that will continue as I have horrible memories of 20 years with terrible flare ups. I would be interested to hear anyone's thoughts or experience as to whether as my immune system is weaker with being older this could be beneficial to staying in remission. Also my dosage of Salofalk is so low at only twice a week could this really keep me in remission over the longer term? I have had stomach pain problems and diarrhoea in the past when on oral mesalazine. .Although I don't post often I think all the help that is given on this forum is amazing and really helps.

Diagnosed with UC 1978 . Currently only on salofalk enema. Past drugs have included oral mesalazine, mercaptopurine, oral and enema steroids and the only long term success was with Mesalazine.

/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10102971

I was interested (because of my age ha) and found the above NIH study which sounds good for us oldies.
Yes small study but good news anyway.

CONCLUSIONS: Mesalazine prophylaxis is necessary for the prevention of relapse by patients with ulcerative colitis in remission for less than 2 years, but this study casts doubt over whether continuous maintenance treatment is necessary in patients with prolonged clinical, endoscopic and histological remission, who are at very low risk of relapse.

Post Edited (imagardener2) : 5/17/2017 7:54:28 PM (GMT-6)

You raise an interesting question RE one's immune system in older age. I'm speculating that there is a range of difference in its functioning among all individuals-- so that the possibility of changes to it in older UCers could also vary. No doubt it's best to maintain contact with doctors who know your medical history + the particular problems UC can present. Mesalamine enemas used a couple times weekly CAN keep some younger persons in UC remission, per my gastroenterologist. I myself am over 70, but topped out of the enemas by my late fifties, after 14 yrs of successful intermittent use. (They unexpectedly made a flare worse!) Now there is only 1 type of oral mesalamine that helps me to stay in remission w/o problem side effects. I wish you good luck with your new Rx regimen; that's mainly what we all need-- because UC still presents many unknowns to medical practitioners so they can't treat us with 100% certainty of continuing success. / Old Hat (36 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)