too many flares

I'm getting too many flare ups.  I'm taking Asacol 2 tabs 3x a day.  When I have a flare I go on Entocort (3 capsules for a week) and I respond very good to the Entocort.  I also use Canasa during a flare.  I told my doc that I was having flares about every 4 weeks.  So he told me to go on Entocort 10 days a month.  I did that.  I've been off the Entocort since Feb 17th.   Here it is 13 days later and I'm back to a bloody, mucusy flare.    So I'm starting myself back on the Entocort tonight.  If it was during the week I would have called my doc, but here it is Friday night.  I know the Entocort will stop it but I know I'll be right back to a flare in a couple of weeks.  Is taking all this Entocort safe?  I'm afraid one of these times it's not going to help me.  I want to be able to write that I'm in remission.  I really like my doc., he's a Gastro guy and he takes a lot of time with me and I can get into him at any time.  But when I keep getting these Flares I wonder if I should see someone else.  Is this thing so uncontrolable?  I read everything that is written at this forum.  You don't know how good you make me feel knowing that there are you guys out there that knows how I feel.  Sorry to go on so long but sometimes living with this gets the best of me and I want to know if I'm doing the right thing.  Thanks for listening. 

You didn't say whether your UC is limited to part of the colon or whether you have pan-colitis. That would make a difference as to what meds you should be on in general, but, since you do get relief from Entocort & Canasa, I assume that you have recurrent inflammation in the rectum and/or sigmoid colon. That being the case, you should probably be taking rectal meds nightly until you achieve remission, & then taper them down to a maintenance dose. The latest medical thinking on 5-ASA meds is that oral pills used in combination with rectal 5-ASAs increases the UCer's chances of achieving remission & staying there. Have you ever used Rowasa, the liquid mesalamine enema? It treats inflammation higher up than Canasa can reach. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)

this disease can rule your life if you let it.

lenie,

Given what you're going through, it's good to get a second opinion to be sure you're taking the best course of action.  In fact, no matter whether someone's in remission at the moment or having a flare-up I think it's wise to get second opinions as UC treatment is very subjective.  I've seen 3 GI specialists (in 3 different countries!).  In my case they offered somewhat similar oral prescription drug options, but differed in the advice offered on prescription rectal meds, diet and taking supplements.