Change a-gonna come?

Diagnosed with lymphasitic colitis 2018. Been on mesalamine er for about a year. It did help regulate diarrhea to 3/4 times in the mornings. Two weeks ago, stools started appearing instead of all liquid. Am also having bloated feeling and indigestion more than usual. Having another colonoscopy next April. I guess I am having a remission but the bloating and burping are a new issue. My mind of course goes to the worst case scenerio. What if it's cancer. What could be causing the feeling like I need to rid my bowels even though there's nothing in there.

Female aged 69.

It sounds like you have tenesmus, as CCinPA replied to you. That would indicate inflammation in your rectum. Have you been taking oral mesalamine or the retention enemas, or both? You may need a change in med if the tenesmus continues so definitely contact your doctor about it. That feeling can make a person feel really miserable, and most of us with UC have to deal with it at one time or another-- so you're not alone. Take good care and try not to worry. The right Rx med should help you to overcome it. In the meantime avoid spicy foods, raw produce, caffeine, & carbonated drinks that make irritated gut tissue feel worse. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC: in remission taking Colazal)

I've never had a shortage of mesalamine. You said you took it for a year but then later mention sulfasalazine. I know there's no worldwide shortage of mesalamine. What does your doctor suggest?

So you're in Oregon? Still the USA (just joshing), so you should be able to get better med that treats the inflamed rectum. For UCers 1 of the best is Cortifoam = 10% hydrocortisone in a retention foam that comes packed in a small aerosol canister with a plastic applicator. It's much neater plus more effective than suppositories, doesn't leak out, and generally does not cause any side effects, while usually chasing away tenesmus in 2-3 weeks of daily use. Definitely mention it to your doctor and/or pharmacist. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)

You're welcome! It's unfortunate but true that many parts of the U.S. lack reliable gastroenterological care/treatment. A few months back we received posts from a man living 2 hours away from the nearest city in Missouri, St. Joseph, and he wrote that in his region there was only 1 gastroenterologist practicing in a 100 mile radius!!!! He was experiencing a lot of pain w/o getting any definitive diagnosis at his county hospital's ER-- so here's hoping he finally got the care he needed. *** Good luck with your upcoming c-scope. Maybe you could find a reasonable place to stay overnight in Eugene, especially if the MD there wants to schedule your procedure in early AM. / Old Hat (40+ yrs with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)