How do you know you’re nearing remission?

Hi guys. I just wanted to check in with my current situation and make sure things are headed in the right direction. I think I’m getting close to being in remission, but I’ve made that mistake before only to end up sick again.

This Saturday, I’ll be on Humira 10 weeks, I finished the cdiff antibiotics on 10/3 and haven’t had any issues with that recurring (thank god!), and I finished the prednisone taper on 11/3.

Currently, I’m having anywhere from 1-3 BM a day. They’re mostly formed, but now I seem to be dealing with constipation. I’m still able to go, but sometimes it’s hard to pass the stool. The stools are solid and lumpy. This is obviously much better than having diarrhea 15-20 times a day, but I just want to make sure this isn’t something I should be concerned about. I’m thinking there must be some residual inflammation going on that’s causing the mild constipation. Is this a normal part of the healing process? Do you think the Humira is working and will continue to work? Or the fact that I’m not completely back to normal means it’s not working?

I’ve also been taking Metamucil again for the last few weeks. Could that be causing constipation? I take 4 or 5 capsules before bed. Maybe I should reduce that and see if it makes a difference. I thought Metamucil was taken for consripation though, so I’m not sure if that’s it.

Or maybe this is just normal. Maybe I’ve had diarrhea and loose stool for so long that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to poop like a normal person. Who knows. Lol

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

Post Edited (Crispix) : 11/30/2017 11:33:46 AM (GMT-7)

Hahaha, John!

Hard to pass stools, constipation, small stools, etc.....limited in rectum inflammation. Definitely continue with the metamucil, but take it with meals. Start with 1 capsule at each meal, and increase. Are you eating any fruits? Taking vitamin C....increasing that will soften stool. As well, increase water/fluid intake.

Add rectal meds....choices being mesalamine enemas/suppositories, steroid enemas/suppositories.

I suggest 4g mesalamine enemas nightly for as long as this process takes...then taper them or alternate with the suppositories and eventually taper off them (or use them for maintenance).

The phase you are in now is most difficult and frustrating. Once in remission, remember this phase....for if it is a continual, you have limited, mild rectal inflammation again.

Process of learning....be cognizant of symptoms and seek changes in your diet to increase motility and soften stool. Ask your doc for refills of rectal meds and use at your discression based on symptoms.

Keep us posted as to how you are doing.

q

Constipation is part of medications working. I take 4.8 g LIALDA (mesalamine) in the morning. At night, I have been experimenting on the amount of Psyllium husks and Psyllium Seed to take. I have found that two capsules of 500 mg each Now Psyllium husks and two capsules of Solaray 600 mg each seem to work well during the day next day. I do have formed stool early in the day and not have to have another BM till later in the day. Usually twice in the morning, may be coffee doing it's share. I would like to reduce the Seed intake slightly but I have not seen anywhere a lower amount of Psyllium Seed. I am not keen on the powder stuff.
My doctor recently did blood and stool tests and these tests can show you if you have inflammation in the colon too. Every thing looked good. Showed in remission with very little inflammation. Had UC since late 90s and rare flares. Try to stay stress free and try not to eat high fiber food most of the time. Tough.

Post Edited (lifeisgoodok) : 12/1/2017 9:28:38 PM (GMT-7)

quincy said...

Crispix said...
Thanks for the feedback iPoop and Quincy. I think I have some mesalamine enemas somewhere in my bathroom. Im going to start using them tonight. Hoping that’s the key to getting into remission, finally.

Make sure you can get refills. Keep us posted please ☺

q

Thanks for all the suggestions, Quincy! I called the nurse at my doctors office and she wrote me a prescription, so I will be able to refill as needed. The last two days have been better, since I’ve started the enemas. I only had two BM yesterday, and today I’ve only had one so far, and they’re Definitely softer and easier to pass than they were. Hoping a few weeks of these will get me where I need to be. Thanks again.