Vitamin D question and more...

Hi UC Spouse,

Yes, 5ASA and mesalamine are the same. 5ASA refers to all the drugs of the same type -- they are the Asacol, Colazol, DiPentum, etc. drugs. The rectal meds of the same type in the US are Rowasa and Canasa -- either in the enema or suppository form. (They have a foam form outside of the US.)

Cortifoam is a steroid foam and really easy to use and generally easy to keep in. It usually doesn't make people run to the bathroom right away the way the suppositories or enemas can. Sure, it's steroids, but the absorption amount is far less than oral steroids. And I think it does a great job of stopping bleeding. Also, for people who generally just "blow off" using rectal meds because it's a yucky thought, the foam applicator is simple. (You can use it standing up and it takes all of 2 seconds.)

There are also steroid enemas, but I'm a big fan of the foam. Hm, that might be something to add to the T-shirt discussion. I can suddenly see myself in a shirt that says "Fan of the Foam"!

This might be a strange question but -- if the Canasa made him worse and Colazol is the same type of med, is it possible that the Colazal is keeping him from remission? Some people are just sensitive to the 5ASA drugs and they don't work for us. Not to throw another big question out there, but it's maybe something to ask the doctor about. I could be completely off base, but it's worth questioning everything if the treatment isn't working. Do you trust this doctor to be really knowledgeable? If it's been nearly a year without remission, maybe you need a second opinion about a different approach. There's no harm in getting more info from another doctor.

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UC for the last ten years
Current Meds: 6MP since 2006, Cortifoam
Past Meds: You name it; I've tried it. (Asacol, Colazol, Pentasa, DiPentum, Rowasa, Canasa, Cortenema, sulfasalazine)

My most recent flare lasted over 2 years. My GI had me on asacol and prednisone. While I was on the prednisone, things were great. Once I came off the prednisone, it was bad again. The asacol wasn't doing a thing for me. I asked my GI to put me on Azulfidine and that has been working very well for me. In remission once again, for the first time in over 2 years. Also, I am doing Rowasa enemas every third night. (started out every night, then tapered from there, hopefully I'll be able to stop them, but if not, hey..........if they help, I can deal with them.) Perhaps your husband may want to ask about the azulfidine if the other meds aren't helping at all...............GOod Luck to the both of you.

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*******Donna*******