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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/1/2013 5:36 PM (GMT -6)
Just checking in, I haven't been here in a while. Luckily been in remission since my last flare in November 2011.

I've looked at my flare history since dx in 2006. I was dx after quitting smoking (presumably nicotine elimination triggered my original symptoms, that's what my GI doc thinks as well). Since dx, my only flares have been the result of taking antibiotics. I didn't start probiotics until after my last flare, and already in remission.

I've been able to completely eliminate my Rowasa enemas, and I'm currently taking generic Colazal (2 @ 4xday). I'm also taking a probiotic (Nature's Bounty advanced probiotic 10) once daily, along with assorted other meds (multivitamin, water pill for mild hypertension, Dexilant for reflux, and calcium supplements). I currently eat a normal diet with no elimination of any specific foods, and based upon my past experience I don't believe I have any food intolerances of significance impacting my UC.

So, here's my question: if I wanted to experiment with trying to taper down/eliminate the Colazal, I'm struggling with what to add. I don't want to just throw darts but at the same time, I don't want to risk a flare (because I HATE prednisone with a passion). I considered bumping up my probiotic to 2 or 3 a day, and at the same time starting to taper off the Colazal one pill at a time per week over a course of 8 weeks. Is that too fast? Does anyone have any recommendations? Do I need a stronger probiotic?

Any advice would be welcome! Thanks!!
Posted 4/1/2013 5:54 PM (GMT -6)
If it ain't broke why fix it?
Posted 4/1/2013 6:00 PM (GMT -6)
I was just going to ask: if the Colazal is working for you, what is the point of stopping?

Keep taking medication that makes you feel well. And keep feeling well!
Posted 4/1/2013 6:16 PM (GMT -6)
If you taper colazal, you will most likely flare-up. Each subsequent flare-up gets harder and harder to treat, so chances are you will have to go on the big gun meds like immunosuppresants or anti-tnf inhibitors -- or worse, be prednisone dependent.

I don't want to scare you, but UC is a lifelong thing - the colazal is what is keeping you in remission. Please don't make the same mistake I did, because I was in remission from just the 5asa meds and I went off them and flared up. As I said, each flare up is more and more difficult to treat. You will most certainly cost the healthcare system more by flaring up again.

If the colazal is giving you a healthy life, don't destroy it by tapering or going off. If you are having a reaction to it, then that's another story.
Posted 4/1/2013 6:18 PM (GMT -6)
Do I need a stronger probiotic?

Everyone is different and not every probiotic is compatible for each individual. But if you find a probiotic that is compatible then IMO there is no such thing as too many probiotics. Your probiotic, Nature's Bounty advanced probiotic 10, contains only 20 billion CFUs. Many here take probiotics with 50-80 billion, and the most popular is prescription VSL#3DS which is 900 billion per packet.

Probiotics are the mainstay of my remission as well as monitoring my diet for gluten and other food triggers.
Posted 4/1/2013 6:29 PM (GMT -6)
Ditto everyone
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