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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/29/2018 8:39 AM (GMT -5)
I was diagnosed with UC/Proctitis in late 2017. At that time I was prescribed Colazal capsules, 3 - 3x a day, and Canasa, one suppository before bed. So I still have urgency, probably under a minute. It is not diarrhea but rather 8-12 nuggets (sorry, that is the only way I can describe them), often accompanied with blood and mucous. More often than not my bum hurts after going to the bathroom. My question is, since I am on medication should this still be happening? I feel like the medicine isn't doing a darn thing. Any advice?
Posted 3/29/2018 9:00 AM (GMT -5)
When it comes to UC, the main thing is trying to find a treatment plan that works. What may work for some may not work for others. It will be some trial and error to find the right combination of drugs or drug that helps calm your symptoms. If what you're currently on now hasn't worked, it's time to speak to your GI and alter your treatment plan and see what they may recommend next. My very first drug was just Colazal which worked for a bit but then wasn't helping much so we just kept advancing my treatments to the next and then to the next.
Posted 3/29/2018 9:21 AM (GMT -5)
Ditto everything blksteeda said. The treatment goal for all UC patients is to be in a remission, where we are free of UC symptoms. For me, a remission was 1-bm a day that's formed without any signs of urgency, blood, or discomfort. Remission is wonderful as you can essentially forget about UC and are normal and pre-UC. If that's not you (and it sounds like it isn't) then you need to be your own best advocate for what you need to be well. Contact your gasteroenteroligist, describe your symptoms and tell him/her you need additional medications and/or stronger dosages to better control your symptoms. There's a lot of trial-and-error to treating UC and you clearly aren't well managed with what was given to you, speak up, get a better solution and a better quality of life!
Posted 3/29/2018 1:09 PM (GMT -5)
I agree with the others.

Should it still be happening? No.
The problem is that the doctors will assume things are going well unless you keep an open line of communication with them and continue seeking options. It sounds like you've given the colazal a few months, and it's not working well for your specific case. People's situations are all very individual, you might do better if you simply switch to a different, but similar, medication. Were you diagnosed via scope? What did the results show? mild/moderate/severe/extent? Did you get stool tests at the time? Sometimes people have an intestinal bug that makes the UC harder to treat. Also, some people do better with diet than they do with treatments, so it wouldn't hurt to see if you can figure out if there are any ingredients you're eating regularly that upset things more. Usually that's more of a symptom improvement than a treatment for the cause, but it can be helpful for some - never was in my personal case unfortunately. I would go back to the GI and ask what's next. The other thing to consider, is, if you're in a big city, go to an IBD center instead of a regular GI. IBD centers specialize in treating IBD. These doctors are more interested in working with IBDers. Regular GIs sometimes just want to do scopes.
Posted 3/29/2018 1:51 PM (GMT -5)
How long have you been on your medication for? Did it ever help you?
Posted 3/29/2018 2:10 PM (GMT -5)
It all depends where the inflammation is limited to.

I do, however, suggest you ask your doctor for retention enemas and use the supps during the day for about a week, but the enemas nightly for a few weeks and taper (explain later time).

You are undertreated rectally.

As well, add probiotics and fibre supplement with meals.
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