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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/25/2017 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
HI All

You've helped me tons this past year so wanted to ask a question. I have been doing very well since March with my proctitis and have been using Rowasa 2 x a week with canasa in between and 2 Balsalazide 2x per day (this is my remission protocol). Last weekend I felt very well and tolerated lots of food but had 2 -11 hour car trips within a weekend. On Monday my BM was a bit more formed than usual and I saw some blood (1st time since early March). It was a small amount and not scattered but it got me concerned. I used Rowasa every night (including Sunday night) and took a few extra Balsalazide here and there. I only saw the blood that one day but the enema tends to make things easier to come out so no irritation. The blood could potentially have been from my fissure and I have had rectal soreness lately, but I wanted to get ahead of any possible flare. Question is.. how many nights in a row do I need to do this enema and when can I start a taper again? The enema causes some crampy feelings and I'm tired of it. I pray the crampiness is just from the Rowasa but since I felt so good last weekend, I didn't think a true flare was starting. I usually get a very uncomfortable feeling before I see blood. Any advice?
Posted 8/26/2017 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think there is a magic number.
Posted 8/26/2017 12:42 PM (GMT 0)
Generally you want to use rowasa nightly until you've been in a solid, sustained remission for several months. And then you can try tapering it down to every other day, twice weekly, weekly and then only as needed. That's the general process but everyone responds very, very differently. Listen to your body's signs and reactions, and do what it likes. As you might need rowasa as an ongoing maintenance treatment as some do.
Posted 8/26/2017 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
Where was the bleeding...on the stool, on tp, in toilet, globs, spots, etc?
Did you have excess mucus? And...do you have diverticulitis, hemmie?

You could ask your GP for a steroid enema and suppositories to see if that helps.

Are you on probiotics?

What was the highest dosage of balsalazide you were on since you're only on 2 at this point.

q
Posted 8/26/2017 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Quincy

the blood was on the TP but also at the end of the stool (what came out first) not to be disgusting. My butt was sore from being in the car all weekend and I do have a fissure that acts up here and there. I had started balsalazide this spring after Rowasa got me in remission. The dose has always been 2 pills 2x per day so total of 4. I had weaned the Rowasa to every 3rd or 4th night with canasa in between. These rectal meds but my but sore sometimes too. I used Canasa instead of Rowasa last night but am not sure what to do from here on out. I hate Rowasa every night but will do what I have to.

I have bought Reuteri but have been reluctant to try it. Probiotics have given me much worse gas in the past so I am afraid to try again but am willing to do anything to prevent flaring. I take turmeric which helps with spasms.
Posted 8/29/2017 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi....you arent being disgusting, lol. Descriptions are helpful.

So if your stool consistency hasn't changed and this was a one time situation, it's probably hemmie or fissure.

But since you've been on the enemas 9 days consistently, as per your other post, and no further bleeding...i would try doing every second night with the canasa between.

Have you taken a look-see by squatting over a mirror to see if you have an external hemmie (part cause of pain) or your fissure opened or bleeding?

Probiotics.....take it at bedtime. Did you get the primadophilus reuteri?

Did you recently just start the turmeric?

You could try adding a but of fibre supplement with meals....i use capsules, and started with one at one meal for a few days, then added another yo another meal, etc. I eat only two main meals a day, so stick with fibre trice a day.

q
Posted 8/29/2017 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
i did look from behind because the rectal area was sore. I had ridden 22 hours in a car that weekend and using Canasa irritates sometimes. I know what my fissure looks like but it was not obvious like it has been in the past. Apparently I have a skin tag that has a potential to bleed per my colo-rectal doc a few years ago.
I've never had a hemi before so don't know.

I did buy primadolphilus reuteri but haven't tried it yet. I have been taking turmeric once or twice a day for awhile (sometimes I skip several days in a row).

The one thing that worried me a little was that I was very fatigued for several days prior to the bleeding and when I saw the blood I was afraid that maybe the fatigue was some sort of sign. Whatever the case... I haven't seen a drop of blood since and no mucous/urgency etc. just bloating from so many days of Rowasa which does happen to me. I will try to wean now...

thanks!!! (my doc would def tell me to stop the enemas and go back to all Canasa but I know better than that)
Posted 8/29/2017 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
So with the change in gut symptoms, etc....any changes in stool symptoms?

I have an anal tag from a fissure and will be getting it removed next month.
I also have an external hemmie, and when it flares, it's horrifically painful in the entire anal area. I want it removed as to not get any bigger than it has over the past 2 years.

Have you tried steroid suppositories....anusol HC?

Maybe stop the turmeric and see if your symptoms change.

I still suggest you try the reuteri....bedtime.

Have you tried antispasmodic such as dicyclomine?

q
Posted 8/29/2017 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
no real change in stool symptoms just loaded with enema material.. yuk.. I hate bentyl type meds due to side effects and I really don't take too much turmeric. Thanks soooo much for helping me. I will try the reuteri when I get brave
Posted 8/30/2017 3:57 AM (GMT 0)
Keep us posted!
q
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