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(Proctitis) azathioprine still a little mucus after about 2 months

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/25/2016 7:45 AM (GMT -5)
Hi everyone, I just wanted to check, I have been on azathioprine for about two months now and I have been having solid movements every day and go about once a day, mayb twice. I do notice some weird irregularities in the stool sometimes, but I am still noticing a little mucus every day. Sometimes it's more sometimes it's less. It's not that mucus comes out by itself. It is usually on the stool, and only usually on the first when I initially go. I am currently on 150 mg a day of azathioprine. My blood tests are normal. I have been trying to introduce things back into my diet. Such as coffee, but I usually go decaf or half decaf half regular. I have cut out cream because of the lactose. I feel like that upsets my stomach more so I go lactose-free now. Anyways, my question is, has anyone been on azathioprine and still noticed mucus like this after a couple months in? Is it normal? I have been having mucus for about a month now, like I said on and off sometimes little sometimes a little more. It's not a terrible amount. it's just if I didn't have this disease it wouldn't be normal to see mucus like that. Should I be expecting normal, or is this normal for us? I don't know if it will do anything, but I am tempted to call my doctor for a 50 mg boost in azathioprine daily.

Thanks.
Mark
Posted 4/25/2016 9:52 AM (GMT -5)
I see mucus in stool in occasion and I'm in a solid remission. It really depends on how much and how often. A little is fine. A lot, regularly is not.
Posted 4/25/2016 5:42 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks for your reply! So mucus in small amounts (well, small amounts for us) is okay and considered remission? I mean I feel good otherwise, it's just the mucus that I worry about sometimes. But it hasn't been a lot.

Has anyone had any experience making the mucus less by taking probiotics?

Thanks!
Mark
Posted 4/25/2016 5:53 PM (GMT -5)
Your symptoms appear fairly well managed. Anything other than symptomatic remission cannot be determined without a scope to look for inflammation.

There is no rule that symptomatic remission is still "OK" as long as mucus is < x days per month. The GI track does make mucus, and it seems reasonable you would see some occasionally on stool.

if blood work shows your azathioprine is in therapeutic range, I might not be too quick to boost it. 8 weeks is not a lot of time to work. Give it 6 months.

Probiotics can be helpful, and if they lower inflammation, can reduce mucus. But they do represent foreign microbes, so can sometimes provoke D or mucus. Introduce them carefully (lower dose at 1st) and be prepared to switch brands after a few weeks if you start getting D.

Other anti-inflammatory foods should help too.

good luck
Posted 4/25/2016 7:38 PM (GMT -5)
I would say I'm in remission since spring 2013 however I have mucus now and then. In fact I currently have urgency and mucus. I don't accept that though. I add enemas and qing dai to counter it and I'm also more careful with foods. I noticed I went a little too far with spicy food, rice and beans and other food I normally wouldn't eat, especially not in a flare.

I remember when I was on azathioprine the first time back in 2005-2007 I constantly had mucus too.

Long story short: you're not alone.
Posted 4/26/2016 2:47 PM (GMT -5)
Yeah the thing is, I've always had bloating and stomach issues since I was little but was just recently diagnosed with mild proctitis.

I go now to the bathroom maybe once a day (usually in the morning), sometimes 2, depending on what I eat what usually triggers my digestive system. But everything is solid. I just have streaks on mucus sometimes in stools and of course I want to remain in remission. I am just wondering if those streaks on 1 or 2 stool when I go is considered okay.
Posted 4/26/2016 3:04 PM (GMT -5)
Yes, I think it's fine. I wouldn't worry.
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