Recent Diag: Colitis - Many, MANY Questions - Bowel Disorders Message Board

Linux64 · 03-18-2007, 01:51 PM

My initial problem started the week of my 44th b-day (what a present huh?). I posted to HB (initla post was [url]http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=466274[/url]) if your interested in my initial concern. None the less.. after my my most tecent visit to the GI, he highly suspects UC based on biopsies, symptoms, what they say when they did a partial c-scope (didn't complete because of great discomfort according the doc that did it). I was given Asocol (3 tabs / 3x a day).

When I was in, I asked a ton of questions, and the doc was very helpful and sympethetic, but here I am, a month after dianosis and medication and I still have even more questions and I'm hoping someoen can help me out.

I suspected with the RX, sysmptoms would alleviate after a month, but, only the bleeding has reduced, but the passing of large quantities of (what I perceive to be as) mucus has seemed to increase as has gas. The urgency issues are always at hand as well.

So, right now, my biggest conerns are:

1. How long does a "flare-up" last? Is it typically days? weeks? months?
2. Is the Asolcol expected to reduce all sypmtoms (mucus, urgency, bleeding, etc)?
3. How frequesnt are the flare-ups? Are they multiple a week? Weekly, Monthly???

Any help would be greatly appreciated . . . .
Thansk in advance...
-b-

Misnomer2773 · 03-18-2007, 07:49 PM

I've had colitis for over ten years now, so hopefully I can help you here a little bit.

1. A flare-up can last from a few days to a few months, if left untreated.
2. I'm not sure what Asocol is. I take a sulfa drug, Azulfandine, 500 mg three times a day, to keep the inflammation in check.
3. The frequency of flare-ups depends on different factors, including stress, diet and illness. It's hard to pin down an answer as to how often one can experience these flare-ups, but it's always best to learn what may trigger them, and then try to avoid what causes them.

Good luck to you.......

ZoeGirl · 03-18-2007, 09:45 PM

I'm just getting over my first flare-up since being diagnosed with Crohn's last year.

I'd say I had two weeks of burning/tearing pain before seeking treatment and it's been 3 weeks on Asacol and I feel like it's over.

I don't treat my Crohn's otherwise, but that may change overtime. They put me on Asacol but after a week I called back because I felt it wasn't getting better (and mucus and blood presented). They added entocort and cipro. This weekend I finally felt like I'm over the flare-up.

I was told Asacol is an anti-inflammatory for your intestines. The entocort is a steriod (also stays mainly in your intestines) and cipro is an antibiotic. I did have some off side effects but they weren't too bad.

I feel my flare-up was caused by stress... if only I could avoid that!

If you are still having symptoms or discomfort, I'd call the doctor. He may be able to just speak to you over the phone and adjust your medication(s).