Mucous here-now what?

I've had the best 3 months since my diagnosis this past spring-BM habits and energy level just like my pre-colitis days. However, for the past week or so, I've been passing mucous. Sometimes with BM, sometimes on its own-and I have been going more often-up to 5 times a day. So I have been using my rowasa enemas nightly again (I had tapered to weekly use when I was feeling so great!) for the past 4 nights in the hopes that I can nip this flare in the bud.

My question is, how long do I let the symptoms go before I call the doctor to see about a course of steroid enemas or other aggressive treatments? These symptoms aren't so severe that I can't deal, but I don't want to let things get out of hand so that it takes months to get me back on track again.

How long does it take you to re-set following a small flare like this one? A week or two, or longer? Or less? Thanks so much everyone!

Erica, 31
Pancolitis, diagnosed July 2006, at age 29
Imuran, Asacol, Rowasa*(new!)
Experimenting with diet, live culture yogurt and probiotics

I would give the Rowasa a week to see if it helps. No improvement by Monday? Contact your doc.

Every flare is different - so it's hard to decide how long to wait...

Feel better soon!

Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003

Osteopenia diagnosed Feb 2006

Status: Flaring

Asacol 12 per day, Azathioprine 100mg, Aciphex, Forvia, and Pro-Bio

30mg Pred until I get set up for Remicade

Co-Mod for the UC forum: Keep HealingWell running smoothly: www.healingwell.com/donate

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 31254

Posted 6/14/2008 10:10 PM (GMT -7)

I wouldn't worry or hurry to get into a more "aggressive" treatment at this point. You should stay on the Rowasa until you're feeling "normal" ... that can take a few weeks...and if it's consistent for over a week, then taper to every second night. See how that goes for a few weeks, then every third night.

How many asacol are you on?

Are you still on imuran?

Hang tough...give it a fair try before resorting to another med.

You could consider to add a fibre supplement to your intake as well.

HUGE kudos to you for dealing early....
quincy

*Heather*Status: mini flare Dec 28... tapered to every 4th night

~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)

~5ASA: Asacol (6 daily) + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)

~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed

~vitamins/minerals/supplements

~Probiotic 3(Natural Factors Protec) bedtime + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) occasionally

~multi-digestive enzymes as needed ....zymactive 3 - 5x daily

~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)

~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)

My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!!

Post Edited (quincy) : 6/14/2008 11:13:56 PM (GMT-6)

tooth fairy

Regular Member

Joined : Jan 2008

Posts : 98

Posted 6/15/2008 4:22 AM (GMT -7)

Thanks guys! Yes, still on imuran, 100 mgs. I am supposed to be on 9 asacol/day, but no matter how hard I try, I hardly ever manage that mid-day dose. I'm a working mommy to two little kids and somehow when I remember, it's bedtime!! My GI is going to switch me to that long-acting mesalamine at my next checkup (end of this month) which should improve my compliance.

Fiber sup is a great idea, thank you.

We got the ok to try for another pregnancy three months ago after my january scope looked good (just some rectal inflammation, all else looking good), and I have a sneaking suspicion that this mucous and my extremely tender chest mean that my hormones are switching into baby growing mode. I'm not positive on the pregnancy or anything, but it's yet another reason I want to be on the ball with my symptoms!

Erica, 31
Pancolitis, diagnosed July 2006, at age 29
Imuran, Asacol, Rowasa*(new!)
Experimenting with diet, live culture yogurt and probiotics

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 31254

Posted 6/15/2008 11:20 AM (GMT -7)

I believe you can take the colazal twice daily....at least do that until you see the doc.

Hormonal changes will definitely affect your colon.

Keep us posted.

q

*Heather*Status: mini flare Dec 28... tapered to every 4th night

~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)

~5ASA: Asacol (6 daily) + Salofalk enemas (increase for flares tapered to maintenance)

~Bentylol (dicyclomine) 20mg as needed

~vitamins/minerals/supplements

~Probiotic 3(Natural Factors Protec) bedtime + 1 (Primadophilus Reuteri) occasionally

~multi-digestive enzymes as needed ....zymactive 3 - 5x daily

~Ranitidine,Pariet (reflux) Effexor XR 75mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma)

~URSO for PSC (or PBC) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)

My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!!

tooth fairy

Regular Member

Joined : Jan 2008

Posts : 98

Posted 6/17/2008 3:57 AM (GMT -7)

Thanks! Wow, I do detest the actual mechanism of using that rowasa, but it does work. Much less mucous Sunday and yesterday, though my belly still rumbles (embarrassing in my line of work where my belly is inches from patients' ears all day!! thank goodness I offer headphones.). Just thought I'd update-I think I'm on an upswing, thankfully.

Best, E

Erica, 31
Pancolitis, diagnosed July 2006, at age 29
Imuran, Asacol, Rowasa*(new!)
Experimenting with diet, live culture yogurt and probiotics

munchkindd

Regular Member

Joined : Oct 2007

Posts : 348

Posted 6/17/2008 5:25 AM (GMT -7)

I definitely agree with the info you have been given regarding the Rowasa. It's good that you didn't let it get too far before starting to nip it in the butt.......Glad you are seeing some improvement.......

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

diagnosed with uc 27 years ago. Enojoyed 20 year remission with just minor blips here and there (approximately 16 of those years without any meds)

In a flare for 2 very long years which Asacol didn't help at all. Finally in remission again since Jan 2008, can't believe it..............

currently on Sulfasalazine 2 tabs 3x day. Folic acid, mesalamine enema 2 x a week. Omega 3, Probiotics, multi vitamin, calcium supplement, Biotin....

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