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Rowasa Down the Road

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/15/2019 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there,

I've been in a moderate flare since the start of May. I'm currently taking Lialda, Imuran, Inflectra and was on a long 40mg taper of Prednisone. Nothing worked until last week my doctor said (post-colonoscopy) because my colitis is mostly rectum/lower sigmoid, that Rowasa might help. And so far, after one week of Rowasa, I'm feeling about 85% better: no more blood, formed BM, little urgency, sleep through night.

What is the normal course of Rowasa once you show signs of improvement? Do doctors insist you continue to take it every night even though you are in remission or is it like an every other night sort of thing? And also, if it's likely Rowasa that is helping: why then would I continue on the FOUR other crazy medications I'm taking? Anyone had these thoughts?

Thanks,
D
Posted 8/15/2019 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you;re feeling better.

When you see improvement, that doesn't mean taper off the med that you feel is helping (rowasa)! For now, take all of those meds until in a confirmed remission, and sustained for at least 2-months (longer is better) and then discuss tapering down some unneeded meds (usually they get rid of the mesalamines in your case). It takes a lot more meds to initially achieve a remission then it does to sustain one. Sustained remissions might whittle you down to just remicade/inflectra, likely. It is often the cumulative effect of all your meds that is helping. Nothing says the other meds aren't doing anything at all. Seldom is one med our 100%.

When time, Rowasa can be tapered to every-other-day, then twice a week, weekly, and stopped. You are far off from that day though!
Posted 8/16/2019 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, you can taper the Rowasa once you've been in remission for a while. I used to be able to taper down to once a week. Now I flare if I taper so I use them almost every night. It's too bad your doctor didnt start you on those first before all the other meds.
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