Crohns and Colitis Exchange
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Answers Please
RussandTerra posted:
I was just at my primary care physician (internal medicine specialist) and he has recommended me to a GI specialist because he believes that I may have colitis. It runs in my family and now i am terrified. I am unable to take any steroids due to the fact that I also have PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome) and every time I have taken a corticosteroid previously, it has made the symptoms of my PCOS unbearable. Yet, I can not take being this sick with 20+ visits to restroom daily. I can not work as a teacher, because I am unable to leave my students unsupervised repeatedly. I have already been to the ER with dehydration once this month. Are there drugs besides steroids that can help put it into remission? I want to have as much info as possible when I visit the GI specialist so that I can be prepared for the discussion we will be having. Thanks.
12 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseI was just at my primary care physician (internal medicine specialist) and he has recommended me to a GI specialist because he believes that I may have colitis. It runs in my family and now i am terrified. I am unable to take any steroids due to the fact that I also have PCOS(polycystic ovarian syndrome) and every time I have taken a corticosteroid previously, it has made the symptoms of my PCOS unbearable. Yet, I can not take being this sick with 20+ visits to restroom daily. I can not work as a teacher, because I am unable to leave my students unsupervised repeatedly. I have already been to the ER with dehydration once this month. Are there drugs besides steroids that can help put it into remission? I want to have as much info as possible when I visit the GI specialist so that I can be prepared for the discussion we will be having. Thanks.
cook1958 responded:
I also work at a school so I can totally understand your "bathroom troubles", I also have UC. Yes there are many different things that the Dr can put you on. Steroids are usually only used for immediate relief. Other drugs take time to build up in your system. I had extremely good luck with Imuran. I'm sure others will contribute their favorite drugs. Try to stay positive as there are ways to help you!!!!
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseI also work at a school so I can totally understand your "bathroom troubles", I also have UC. Yes there are many different things that the Dr can put you on. Steroids are usually only used for immediate relief. Other drugs take time to build up in your system. I had extremely good luck with Imuran. I'm sure others will contribute their favorite drugs. Try to stay positive as there are ways to help you!!!!
There are many mesalamine drugs to use for UC...I'm on Lialda, started at 4 a day, now down to 2. Also on predinisone, but that obviously is not for you. I'm on Lomotil which has helped a great deal, as well as Dr. Swanson's Ultimate Probiotic Formula. To be honest with you, the Lomotil and the Probiotics have helped me the most. I am about as normal as I can get at this point and it is quite comfortable. When I say normal, I am down from about 10-15 trips to the john daily when I was first diagnised, now down to 2, 3 or 4, but the 4 depends on what I've had to eat that is a No-No. I'm also lactose intolerant, and last night I had ice cream, and that was a mistake.
Good luck at your GI visit....there are many drugs out there and it hopefully will not take very long to find the right one for you. Keep us informed because everyone on this site is really interested and helpful.
Good luck at your GI visit....there are many drugs out there and it hopefully will not take very long to find the right one for you. Keep us informed because everyone on this site is really interested and helpful.
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseThere are many mesalamine drugs to use for UC...I'm on Lialda, started at 4 a day, now down to 2. Also on predinisone, but that obviously is not for you. I'm on Lomotil which has helped a great deal, as well as Dr. Swanson's Ultimate Probiotic Formula. To be honest with you, the Lomotil and the Probiotics have helped me the most. I am about as normal as I can get at this point and it is quite comfortable. When I say normal, I am down from about 10-15 trips to the john daily when I was first diagnised, now down to 2, 3 or 4, but the 4 depends on what I've had to eat that is a No-No. I'm also lactose intolerant, and last night I had ice cream, and that was a mistake.<br /><br />Good luck at your GI visit....there are many drugs out there and it hopefully will not take very long to find the right one for you. Keep us informed because everyone on this site is really interested and helpful.
HannahLeigh89 responded:
I have a cousin with PCOS and she just had her ovaries removed for treatment. Would this be a possibility for you? It was considered a "same day surgery" and they didn't act like it was any big thing, although now she does have to take hormones. If you do have colitis and your PCOS is going to interfere with the kinds of medication you can take, you may want to consider having them removed. Steroids is usually a pretty big part of treatment for IBD. And don't be scared. You'll get through it. 
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseI have a cousin with PCOS and she just had her ovaries removed for treatment. Would this be a possibility for you? It was considered a "same day surgery" and they didn't act like it was any big thing, although now she does have to take hormones. If you do have colitis and your PCOS is going to interfere with the kinds of medication you can take, you may want to consider having them removed. Steroids is usually a pretty big part of treatment for IBD. And don't be scared. You'll get through it. <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0">
Louise_WebMD_Staff responded:
If you get diagnosed with colitis, there are a large number of meds used. Steroids are generally only used to bring severe symptoms into line and depending on where your colitis is located--there are "retention enemas" containing steroids that may work instead of systemic.
Here is an article about common medications for treating Crohn's disease. The list is relatively the same for other IBDs.
Here is an article about common medications for treating Crohn's disease. The list is relatively the same for other IBDs.
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseIf you get diagnosed with colitis, there are a large number of meds used. Steroids are generally only used to bring severe symptoms into line and depending on where your colitis is located--there are "retention enemas" containing steroids that may work instead of systemic.<br /><br />Here is an article about <a href="http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/crohns-disease-treatment-common-medications-for-treating-crohns">common medications for treating Crohn's disease.</a> The list is relatively the same for other IBDs.
OyWithThePoodlesAlready replied to Louise_WebMD_Staff's response:
here is another link that I often share with friend and fam who want to know more - the med info starts on pg 3
http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/features/cd-treatment-options
http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/features/cd-treatment-options
Report This| Share this:Answers Pleasehere is another link that I often share with friend and fam who want to know more - the med info starts on pg 3<br /><br /><a href="http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/features/cd-treatment-options">http://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/features/cd-treatment-options</a>
RussandTerra replied to HannahLeigh89's response:
Unfortunately that treatment is not an option as my husband and I would still like to have children. I just need to get my health back on track before I can start the infertility treatments again. Thanks for the idea though.
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseUnfortunately that treatment is not an option as my husband and I would still like to have children. I just need to get my health back on track before I can start the infertility treatments again. Thanks for the idea though.
RussandTerra replied to Louise_WebMD_Staff's response:
Thank you!!! I have printed the info and will take it with me when I see the specialist in 3 months (the soonest appointment I could get).
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseThank you!!! I have printed the info and will take it with me when I see the specialist in 3 months (the soonest appointment I could get).
RussandTerra replied to arbob5's response:
I have tried Lomotil, unfortunately it provides 0 relief. I have begun taking fiber supplements, a good multi-vitamin(to avoid vitamin deficiencies) and pro-biotics (per advice I received from my aunt who has suffered with colitis for years and is also an RN) until I can see the specialist and get some more intensive therapies. Thanks so much for the support.
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseI have tried Lomotil, unfortunately it provides 0 relief. I have begun taking fiber supplements, a good multi-vitamin(to avoid vitamin deficiencies) and pro-biotics (per advice I received from my aunt who has suffered with colitis for years and is also an RN) until I can see the specialist and get some more intensive therapies. Thanks so much for the support.
arbob5 replied to RussandTerra's response:
I don't know what probiotics you are on, but if these don't work, try Dr. Swanson's Ultimate Formula Probiotics. I tried two others before I tried Swanson's...the first two did very little to help me, but Dr. Swanson's are wonderful. I know they don't help everyone, so I consider myself one of the fortunate ones. And at $14.99 for a months supply, they are more reasonable than the other two I tried...ie Flora Jen and Align. I just placed an order for another three months supply. The company is really great to deal with. Normally orders are shipped out the same day they're received.
Hope you find an answer soon. There are so may options out there...we just have to find the right one. Everyone is different and what works for one may not work for someone else. Darn it anyway! If only it was that easy.
Take care and keep in touch. We do care.
Hope you find an answer soon. There are so may options out there...we just have to find the right one. Everyone is different and what works for one may not work for someone else. Darn it anyway! If only it was that easy.
Take care and keep in touch. We do care.
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseI don't know what probiotics you are on, but if these don't work, try Dr. Swanson's Ultimate Formula Probiotics. I tried two others before I tried Swanson's...the first two did very little to help me, but Dr. Swanson's are wonderful. I know they don't help everyone, so I consider myself one of the fortunate ones. And at $14.99 for a months supply, they are more reasonable than the other two I tried...ie Flora Jen and Align. I just placed an order for another three months supply. The company is really great to deal with. Normally orders are shipped out the same day they're received.<br /><br />Hope you find an answer soon. There are so may options out there...we just have to find the right one. Everyone is different and what works for one may not work for someone else. Darn it anyway! If only it was that easy.<br /><br />Take care and keep in touch. We do care.
arbob5 ,
Ive been taking that Swanson's probiotic formula for about 2 weeks now and I must say that it helps tremendously with offsetting the side affects of this Pentasa. I must also say that it seems to make the Pentasa work better than the Pentasa by itself. And its not as high as that Cultrelle that I was taking. So all in all, I would say this is the best probiotics that ive tried so far as arbob5 suggested.
Ive been taking that Swanson's probiotic formula for about 2 weeks now and I must say that it helps tremendously with offsetting the side affects of this Pentasa. I must also say that it seems to make the Pentasa work better than the Pentasa by itself. And its not as high as that Cultrelle that I was taking. So all in all, I would say this is the best probiotics that ive tried so far as arbob5 suggested.
Report This| Share this:Answers Please<a href="http://exchanges.webmd.com/crohns-and-colitis-exchange/groupstory/15300112">arbob5</a> ,<br /> <br />Ive been taking that Swanson's probiotic formula for about 2 weeks now and I must say that it helps tremendously with offsetting the side affects of this Pentasa. I must also say that it seems to make the Pentasa work better than the Pentasa by itself. And its not as high as that Cultrelle that I was taking. So all in all, I would say this is the best probiotics that ive tried so far as arbob5 suggested.
I am so glad they are working for you. I know they probably don't work for everyone, but that also goes for other UC meds...some work and some don't. I have to say tho that I agree with you...they are great when used with other UC meds. They work well with my Lialda and Lomotil. I am closer to normal than I have been for two years. No more running. But, I am realistic and I know that could change overnight. I'm just grateful for the relief I'm getting now.
Again, thanks for letting me know that they are working for you.
Again, thanks for letting me know that they are working for you.
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseI am so glad they are working for you. I know they probably don't work for everyone, but that also goes for other UC meds...some work and some don't. I have to say tho that I agree with you...they are great when used with other UC meds. They work well with my Lialda and Lomotil. I am closer to normal than I have been for two years. No more running. But, I am realistic and I know that could change overnight. I'm just grateful for the relief I'm getting now.<br /><br />Again, thanks for letting me know that they are working for you.
Tatt1e replied to RussandTerra's response:
Hi,
I have had UC for 18 years and wanted to let you know that fiber supplements actually cause UC flare ups in me. I don't know if they cause flare ups for others with UC, but they definitely do for me. So keep an eye on if your trips to the bathroom become more frequent after starting taking fiber supplements so you'll know if you should back off of them. Good luck. Sorry you have to wait so long to see the GI specialist.
I have had UC for 18 years and wanted to let you know that fiber supplements actually cause UC flare ups in me. I don't know if they cause flare ups for others with UC, but they definitely do for me. So keep an eye on if your trips to the bathroom become more frequent after starting taking fiber supplements so you'll know if you should back off of them. Good luck. Sorry you have to wait so long to see the GI specialist.
Report This| Share this:Answers PleaseHi,<br />I have had UC for 18 years and wanted to let you know that fiber supplements actually cause UC flare ups in me. I don't know if they cause flare ups for others with UC, but they definitely do for me. So keep an eye on if your trips to the bathroom become more frequent after starting taking fiber supplements so you'll know if you should back off of them. Good luck. Sorry you have to wait so long to see the GI specialist.
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