Confused About “Gastro Issues” – The Blood Keeps Coming Back

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