Posted 4/23/2018 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all - Looking for a bit of advice here.
I was diagnosed with UP up to the sigmoid last April and went into remission with Prednisone, Rowasa, and Lialda. In November, scope biopsies showed that the previous area of inflammation was inactive, but I did have mild active inflammation at the cecal patch (which was not present at the April diagnostic scope). In January, I started having minor flare symptoms - bits of bloody mucus or blood streaking the tail end of stool. Frequency may have only increased to 2-3 bm's daily. I upped the rowasa to daily, and all seemed to return to normal within a few weeks. Then, I would see a little bit of blood/mucus for a day or two, it would be gone for a few weeks, only to show up again randomly. I have not skipped a night of Rowasa since January because of this. Every time I would feel like I may be able to taper the enema soon, BOOM - I'd see a little blood mixed with mucus.
Fast forward to the beginning of April, and I started to have very painful stomach cramps multiple times daily. At the first sign of diarrhea - which has never been a previous symptom for me, my GI upped the Lialda.
Since then, my stood has been soft, but no D, and the stomach pains have greatly subsided. I still experience a little bit of discomfort here and there, but I still seem to be improving. My problem now is that I'm still showing blood tinged mucus every so often. I'm currently having 1 or 2 bm's daily.
So my questions for you all are:
1. Should I ask my GI for a steroid supp or enema? Has anyone had success with those getting you into remission when the mesalamine hasn't?
2. Is Lialda my best option for treating the cecal patch? Would I benefit from something that releases earlier in the colon?
I have a follow up April 30 and want to have a game plan to discuss with my GI. Thanks in advance!