Hi,
Mesalamine is anti-inflammatory and it reduces the inflammation and there by the bleeding.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.
- Ratnakar Kini M.D.
Hi, I wanted to let you know I had very similar symptoms starting this time last year. Tests rules out bacterial and viral infections and after two colonoscopies, they settled on Ulcerative Colitis. I had the same GI symptoms you are having as well as arthritis in my fingers, toes, ankles, knees, hips, wrists, and shoulders. It was migratory and moved from joint to joint every couple of days. My current GI doc was never specific about what type of UC I have (frustrating), but my first GI doc called my case general UC. I found this helpful link about Non-specific Colitis in a quick search: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cdi/2001/00000003/00000004/art00010;jsessionid=81nn0iaicbp3c.alice?format=print
I have had a total of two flare ups in a year that last a couple weeks when I think I am dying, then they both went away on their own. I have never heard of this happening to anyone and my GI doc was puzzled. Anyway, my doc says that once you treat the underlying colitis, the arthritis symptoms will go away. I take Asacol 400mg 1-2 times daily. This is to keep me in remission. I have felt great since my last flare-up went away. I hope this helps a little bit in a time when you might feel so out of control of your life.
Brooke
Thanks for the input. I kind of think they are leaning towards microscopic colitis, not sure. I followup with the doctor this coming week to discuss things further. My biggest problem right now other than the diarrhea is the bleeding that I have concluded is coming from a fissure. These tears (one will heal and then will tear in a different place) keep bleeding and last month this caused a drop in Hgb from 14.3 to 12.9. It has increased this month to 13.9 again but bleeding has resumed. Regardless I need to find a way to stop the diarrhea so I can stop tearing from it. I am not constipated and the tears can even happen without having a BM, that is usually when the toilet water turns red from bleeding. Tried Anusol HC suppositories without success for this. Desperately need help to stop this cycle. Thanks!
I followed up with the doctor who did the colonoscopy. He said that I have microscopic colitis. I also have proctitis. He prescribed Erythromicen for Campylobacter infection. The diarrhea has slowed down, but the rectal bleeding continues. Now I just have the urge to have a BM but nothing happens.
I have read that with microscopic colitis you should avoid NSAIDs, he said that I could try taking Arthrotec, would this aggravate MC symptoms?
He said something about prescibing mesalamine enemas to help with the bleeding/colitis issue, what does this do?
Thanks,
Funnel