hi everyone, hope all is well, haven't been on for awhile. Feeling very down. I feel this is my first real flare. Dx in oct/07, since then on andoff d, no more than 3 aday except for one time. Usually d for a day or 2 then okay while on brat diet, then i would go back to regular foods and okay for a while then back to d. This was going on since dx and wasn't too bad now can't lose the d and stomachaches. Last 2 weeks it got worse but i know it was slowly getting worse. I eat and then get d around 2 or 3x daily. Moderate stomachaches that go right from ribs to groin area and around to back. Pain can move around. Sometimes it feels like a runners cramp or similar to period pain. Dr. gave me 50 mg prednasone for 5 days. My last day tomarrow so will have to go back to him. That is the first pill i have tried since dx, did occasionally use steriod enemas, but they don't work. I see no blood in stool. Is this a flare. My original dx as uc but the last test, dr says maybe chrons. Seeing first time a gasto dr. in sept. Is this a flare and why has it changed, i guess i'm getting worse. Regarding the pred, should the dr. try something else first. Does asocol help chrons. Please any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also forgot the brat doesn't help like before.
First real flare, i think
- Thread starter matty
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Could be a flare. You definitely need some tests done like blood work at least to check for inflammation (always vitamin levels too!) and also a colonoscopy since you haven't had one in a while. If they don't find anything in the scope then likely they may do a small bowel series/barium swallow where they will take x-rays and see what's going on in the small bowel. Once you know what you're dealing with ei inflammation, ulcers, scar tissue combination etc. then the doc will know what treatment will be best for you. Diet can only go so far so sometimes when the disease is left alone it can cause inflammation over and over and over and each time it leaves scar tissue behind. That in itself can cause pain, diarrhea, lack of absorption of fluids and nutrients and discomfort.
As for Asacol yes it can be prescribed for Crohn's. I used to take it for about 15 years. They are time release for the colon but they do release in the ileum which is where my Crohn's is located.
Prednisone will work faster than any other drug if you're dealing with inflammation. Asacol works by reducing the amount of inflammation where steroids reduce the current inflammation. For me personally using both along with an immune suppressant works very well but everyone is different.
As for Asacol yes it can be prescribed for Crohn's. I used to take it for about 15 years. They are time release for the colon but they do release in the ileum which is where my Crohn's is located.
Prednisone will work faster than any other drug if you're dealing with inflammation. Asacol works by reducing the amount of inflammation where steroids reduce the current inflammation. For me personally using both along with an immune suppressant works very well but everyone is different.
thanks crabby. I did a colon test last april and general surgeon said only resolving ulcers near the terminal ilium. I really hate to do another test but if needed. I'm phoning the gasto dr.'s office tomorrow to see if they can put my appt sooner than sept. I don't know what to expect as i haven't seen one before. Do they do an anoscope. I was in denial since dx and refused pills, but now i started some.
Most GI docs do their own colonoscopy and endoscopy just so they know what's going on inside for themselves rather than looking at someone else' test (that's how all my GI docs have been anyway). Then you shouldn't have to do another for a year or more depending on symptoms. When in remission they do one every 4 years of so just to be sure all is clear.
Hope you get a sooner appointment. Keep us posted.
Hope you get a sooner appointment. Keep us posted.
hi crabby, i phoned today but all they can do is put me on the cancellation list, is someone cancels. I was wondering should i ask my family dr. to make an appt for a small bowel follow, is that the same as barium enema. Since the ulcers were in the terminal ilium.
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No you swallow the barium instead of it being pumped up your butt which does not feel good (my most hated test). The small bowel follow through will show the TI. You can try asking your GP, no harm in that (I've only had GI docs order the test though).
