Need advice for flare

Hello everyone. This site has been such a comfort and help to me and i wanna say thank you for that. Well here goes, ive been in a flare from my lft sided uc that ive had for over 20 years for about a month now. Was taking asacol with worsening symptoms went to my gi who was very cold to me and said i could live with the pain or have surgery and very hesitantly prescribes colazal 3 tabs 3 times a day. Im taking vicodin, ativan, bentyl, protonix, and now colazal. The colazal seems to be making me worse. I have been having watery, bloody violent diahrrhea since on the colazal and cant make it to the toliet. I would just like some advice on what i can do to get this flare under control. Im totally housebound. Should i consider surgery?

I'd suggest getting a second opinion before making a decision on anything. There are a lot of available medical treatments that you haven't been tried on yet. It seems you don't tolerate 5-ASA's well; there are immunosuppressants such as Azathioprine and 6-MP; biologicals such as Remicade and Humira.

While your GI's opinion may be based on the fact that your chances of developing colon cancer begin to increase after ten year with UC and some docs do recommend surgery at that point, his abruptness was inappropriate. IMO, your first action should be to see a different GI who is willing to work with you. In the end, surgery is always your decision, and there are other things to try before you have to do it if you'd rather not.

Welcome to HealingWell, and I'm so glad you decided to introduce yourself and speak up. After 20 years, I'm sure you have some valuable experience to share!

Judy

Moderate to severe left-sided UC (21 cm) diagnosed 2001.

Avascular necrosis in both shoulders is my "forever" gift from Entocort.

Colazal, Remicade, Nature's Way Primadophilus Reuteri. In remission since April, 2006.

Co-Moderator UC Forum

Please remember to consult your health care provider when making health-related decisions.

Beth75

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 2148

Posted 7/30/2008 8:21 AM (GMT -7)

HI wwjd,

Definitely get a 2nd opinion, I am getting one and I feel so much better just making those steps to do that. I have had Dr's. make me feel stupid and be cold to me. I really like the ones I have now, they really listen to me and address each concern I have and do not want me to be in pain.

Glad you decided to post. There are definitely other options as Judy says, besides surgery.

Take care!

Beth, 32 ~ hoping to taper pred successfully, wish me luck!

Major Flare Sept/Oct 07

UC dx'd 03/00 (Proctosigmoiditis); Pancolitis since 09/07

Azathioprine 200mg 1xday nightly; Calcium and Vit D 500mg 3xday, Multi Vit, Folic Acid 400mg 2xday, Prilosec, Probiotics.

Minimal Change Disease (Kidney Disorder) dx'd 09/07 - partial remission since 03/08

Prednisone 25mg 1xday, Simvastatin 20mg 1xday, Diovan 160mg 2xday. Tekturna 300mg 1xday, Fosomax 70mg 1xweek. MCD may be from hypersensitivty to 5ASA drugs. Do you have edema? If so, check your blood protien level!

quincy

Elite Member

Joined : May 2003

Posts : 31241

Posted 7/30/2008 9:53 AM (GMT -7)

Try adding some rectal meds to the equation....maybe a steroid retention enema to start or foam enema.

Welcome to the forum!

Do consider to add some fibre supplements to help bulk up the stool a bit so that it'll slow them down a bit.

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 !!!

Luna0

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2008

Posts : 83

Posted 7/30/2008 11:40 PM (GMT -7)

Well first off I am no doctor. I however know from experiences that Vicodin or any other pain pills can and will cause constipation. I find it really silly to go to the docs only to give me pain pills that can and will cause more problems. Saddly though all the pain pills have this side effect.Try if you can *I know I couldn't for a long time* to get out of the cycle of the pain pills. I like the hot sits baths, it has helped me with my fissures that I have had in the past. Then use some benifiber, Mirilax and some acidophilus.Drinking alot of water helps too.Stay away from Iron pills if you can. Instead take prenatal pills.Of course along with whatever meds the doctor says to take.It also helps not to drink soda or at least it did with me.Then a second opinion also sounds wise.

I love this quote.Never give up hope.

"just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming swimming." (Finding Nemo)

Tawn

18 years old, College Student ~WAHOO GO CATS=)

Diagnosed in 2004

Currently on:

Remicade

Imuran 3pills/day

And many other over the counter meds.

wwjd

New Member

Joined : Jul 2008

Posts : 5

Posted 7/31/2008 8:27 PM (GMT -7)

Thank you for all your advice and input. The vicodin at least gave me formed stools before. Now i would give anything to just get rid of the bloody diarrhea and gut pain. My doctors trying to get me in to ucla for a second opinion. Ill keep you informed. God bless you all.

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