I am a young woman in my late 30’s, never ever dealt with “GI Issues” before and am very concerned and anxious about my current situation.
I had an upset stomach after eating at a restaurant with poorly cooked food in early July. Upset stomach on and off throughout July- took antibiotics and by the second day on them noticed bright red blood on the napkin and eventually in the stool. Had a flex sigmoid and it showed active proctitis so they started me on salfolak suppositories twice a day. This really helped for 3 weeks but noticed blood again a tiny bit after 3 weeks. Had a colonoscopy with multiple biopsies and was diagnoses with ulcerative sigmoititis (15 cm inflamed). Started me on steroid enemas – made symptoms a lot worse in a matter of days. Now I take Lialda 4 pills a day and Canasa suppository at night. This worked almost immediately and I stopped seeing blood within a couple days. I didn’t have any symptoms for 2 weeks now I’m seeing blood again and having some cramps after eating.
Is this normal? To see no symptoms for two weeks and have them come back mildly (it’s been 3 days with mild blood) again? I am hoping this doesn’t mean I have to try something stronger- really against taking oral steroids.
Also, my doctor told me to take all 4 pills together – anyone else have thoughts on this?
I have one doctor saying we can taper down once the flare is in control and one that says I have to be on medication 4 pills of lialda for the rest of my life???!
Who do I believe?
Also the same doc told me to stop taking probiotics and fish oil so as not to confuse the treatment picture to see if the lialda/canasa is effective? Thoughts?
Thanks!
Submitted by “Confused” in the Colitis Venting Area
All of the posts from “Annonymous UC” are from ulcerative colitis people who anonymously submitted stories or Doctor Reviews, medication, supplement reviews etc… I post all these stories to the site, but they’re different from my own personal stories so hopefully this account makes more sense:) -Adam – founder of iHaveUC.com