I feel like this is something that could make or break a person when it comes to dealing with something as significant as UC. As a medical professional, my significant other is fortunately very...
I'm male. Birth control pills are probably out of the question haha. I'll look into some of these topical cleansers or perhaps just see a dermatologist, I'll be on prednisone for at least another 6...
Definitely would suggest getting another scope if you can just to make sure. It's quite possible that you have an extremely mild case of UC, but of course it's better to make sure because you...
So recently I've started developing what looks like my first side-effect from prednisone... tons of acne to the left side of my face and forehead. Obviously this isn't a big issue considering I'd...
For the first six years while I had UC, I never had an accident or even nearly had an accident even during flares. If I had the urge to go I could hold it for hours if I needed to (even all night if...
As long as you are doing well, keep at it!...
It brings together a lot of different information into one place and is pretty consistent. I especially like the list of recommended and unrecommended foods, something pretty handy to have around for...
I know, I know. We're all sick of the diet debate! This isn't to fuel it though, just a resource for everyone that I thought was helpful. I am certainly not too big on the whole diet thing, too many...
There is no medical reason that I can think of why it would be bad. But I also can't think of a reason why someone with UC would want to hold it in, especially with the facilities she's being given....
Very hopeful stuff!...
The accidents could be rectal inflammation. Maybe try cortifoam? Helped reduced my urgency for the most part....
@quincy: Psyllium for D? I always thought it was supposed to help with constipation. More fiber tends to give me more D....
The enemas, when they work, are great. Seems weird at first, but it isn't quite as uncomfortable or difficult as it appears. I remember being really scared/grossed out when I had to first try them,...
You started cortifoam about a year ago, has that been helping you? The cortifoam improved my rectal inflammation within a week or so, which a month and a half of rowasa was unable to do :(...
Link to Full Article This all sounds very circumstantial though......
Diagnosed in 2007, after a one week long flare I was in "remission" for 3 years on a 2.4 dose of Lialda. That means normal solid stools, every day, once or twice a day with regularity. Eating and...
When I was taking 2 Lialda, I would just take them both at night right before sleeping. Now I'm taking four and I take all 4 at night after dinner. Since it works I don't really feel the need to...
During a bad flare it can be so frustrating but you can't really blame yourself. You're doing whatever you can, and sometimes we just don't have control of our lives as much as we'd want to. I've...
I got the prescription for VSL-DS from my cousin but the insurance company wouldn't cover it. The cost was something like $90 for a 20 pack... I could probably try it when I'm no longer unemployed...
I'm guessing since you've tried everything that means all types of meds (mesalamine, enemas, steroids, biologics) etc. I hope you find something that works! Have you tried alternatives like LDN?...
My Lialda bottle says to take it with food or milk :-x But for the first six years that I had UC, I didn't follow that. Until my flare-up I had just been taking it right before bed which was usually...
That bowel incontinence is the worst, it just makes you feel at your lowest point like you can't do anything or go anywhere without constantly worrying about what could happen :\ Sorry to hear that...
Thanks for the response Insoflaca, I am very interested in LDN in case it ever becomes a necessity, so thanks for the great resource. I am taking probiotics (Floracor-GI, same website that suggested...
Really depends on the company, but like AZYooper said Balsalazide is usually covered as a generic. Never heard of the lialda assistance card but that sounds like a good alternative!...
If anyone has more info on this I would be very interested in it as well....
It seems pretty absurd to me that anyone would prescribe prednisone at such a quick taper of a week. The usual is 40mg for a few weeks then 20mg.. etc until you get to 5mg and the entire process can...
I like to rely on meds because they seem to help me the best. The other things are just there for moral support or digestive comfort I guess. Still deciding whether it's even worth it to take the...
If you have a flare it can go from bad to worse in a matter of a week sometimes. Your symptoms don't sound like something I would consider mild either. Hope your GI can find something that works well...
Be proactive. One of the worst mistakes I made during this flare was waiting too long thinking I could ride it out or manage it myself. Didn't work! Hopefully you get better soon, definitely discuss...
We'll never really know the answer to this question. Mainly because as gary pointed out, this forum is a small subset of UCers. In fact I didn't join until I had a really bad flare recently, yet I'd...
So I've just gotten some organic slippery elm powder. Any tips on how to use it effectively? What exactly should I expect it to do in terms of my inflammation/symptoms (assuming it helps at all... I...
i've heard there is no risk of overdose for mesalamine though? the colon just doesn't absorb the excess apparently....
Sorry to hear. I don't have experience or knowledge about Imuran, but I would say if you've had a flare lasting 7 months you should try whatever you can. Get the inflammation dealt with first so you...
My grandfather also has UC, diagnosed a few years or so ago. He's been having a bad flare recently and his new GI gave him prednisone and mesalamine enemas. But interestingly enough also instructed...
Might just be a coincidence but the last thing I ate before I had my recent (horrible) flare was cooked sushi... and that was when all the urgency started! Like I said, probably a coincidence since...
Have you guys tried cortifoam for the urgency? I definitely feel like it helped me a lot....
Was also diagnosed as a teenager and played sports in high school. It was pretty easy since I didn't really flare much back then. As long as you're not on a flare things are pretty normal so I...
I have yet to even start the cortifoam, just got it today. So far the 4x lialda and the prednisone seem to be doing a good job of reducing the inflammation higher up in the colon (I assume since my...
Hmm... this is quite interesting stuff. I eat a lot of seafood... but I never really found it to cause any problems directly in terms of symptoms. Have to keep an eye on that more often......
I take the same generic rowasa labeled Mesalamine Rectal Suspension Enema 4g with the blue caps. Once upon a time it was my magic cure drug but now I get the same symptoms that you mentioned Lr21...
I was using the unflavored version for the few days that I actually tried it, and I was taking the recommended dose. Unfortunately the side effects and the flaring symptoms did not allow me to...
Not sure about the dosage timing issue here as it says not to double dose on the information, I'll leave that to someone who can answer for sure. Eat first then take the prednisone. You may not feel...
There should be instructions in the box on proper body positioning to get the enemas to go in properly. Could that be the issue?...
I did the same in regards to the probiotics. Going to continue them once I feel a little more confident about the urgency. I can't get the brand name Rowasa products, not covered by my insurance :'(...
You need to get to a GI or ER. Your symptoms sound very severe and I don't see why you can't be started on medication without going through another scope. At this point you should definitely be on...
I just got the Cortifoam today I haven't started using it yet. Hopefully it should work (it's not even really an enema...). I used to use the Rowasa but it makes my symptoms worse so I stopped that....
Most people tend to mix the preps with Gatorade. I like to chug them because they typically don't taste very good and after the first few cups you start to get really annoyed with it and it really...
Since I've started on prednisone my symptoms seem to be getting a lot better. Still not full blown remission but certainly a huge relief from the past month or so down to 4-5 bm from 15-20. The main...
Thanks guys! I hope the prednisone even works to stop my flare :x...
So I'm going to be starting prednisone tomorrow. I know that prednisone is accompanied with weight gain, which I'm not too concerned about because I've always had an overactive metabolism and my body...