Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Rectal bleeding

I have UC with constipation and Proctitis. I use Roawsa enemas when I am in a Proctitis bleeding flare with fair to good  results.
Over the years, I found out that any anti-inflammatory meds like aspirin, Advil, ibuprofen ect.can put me right back into a flare up of the proctitis symptoms such as swelling in the anal area and rectum, and passing of blood and mucus, feeling like I have to have a BM all the time because of the pressure inside the rectum and so forth. So.. I no longer take anything but Tylenol and Tramadol for my chronic back and neck pain management.
I am currently tapering off of Tramadol slowly and started using amino's and supplements to cope with the taper withdrawal effects. I've gone from 200 mgs a day for over 10 years down to about 60 mgs currently since September.
My question is:
Would taking natural supplements that also help with inflammation cause a flare up of proctitis with blood and mucus?
I ahve most recently ( and the two I am questioning)  started taking N-A-C Sustain ( N-Acetyl L-Cysteine ), I take two 600 mg pills each morning on an empty stomach along with DLPA ( DL-Phenylalanine) one 60 Mg pill.
On the 4th day after I startedthem I had a flare up of all the proctitis symptoms. I had added them to a regimen of B-100, sub lingual B-12, Vit C, cod liver oil and a Multi Vitamin , I get magnesium from taking 1 Teaspoon of Milk of Magnesia with a potassium pill every night at bedtime..
I also take Flax oil and fish oil capsules for periods of time and have wondered if the anti-inflammatory properties they have could have caused some flares in the past but I think that was just co-incidence maybe.
Any thoughts on these natural anti-inflammatory vs ibuprofen and such causing same problems would be very much appreciated! I don't want to do damage.
Thanks!
Simonsue
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hi,
The first line drugs for UC include - 5ASA/ steroids.
If not controlled or if cannot be used the other options are -
1. Immunomodulators like azathioprine, 6MP
2. Biological therpy - Infliximab
Discuss with your gastro regarding these.

Regarding fish oil/ flax oil- theydo have anti-inflammatory effects -
=======Four months of diet supplementation with fish oil in patients with inflammatory bowel disease resulted in reductions in rectal dialysate leukotriene B4 levels, improvements in histologic findings, and weight gain =======
This is the conclusion of one of the studies done on Dietary supplementation with fish oil in ulcerative colitis.===== Annals of Internal Medicine
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you!
That makes sense. Since I had just stared the N A C and DLPA, I couldn't know if it was just coincidental to the flare, so I wondered if there was any known fact about natural anti-inflammatories acting as NSAID's do in causing flares.
I guess I will have to experiment and see if it keeps happenning.
It's a challange looking for something to treat inflammation for me as I can not take NSAIDs or steroids.
I have Fibromyalgia, and chronic back and neck pain as well as the issues with UC and Proctitis. As a matter of fact, my endoscopy and colonoscopy showed evey "itis" there is along the whole digestive tract form esophogitis to Proctitis.
Being on a Medicare HMO, I do not seem to get the best of medical care.
Do you have suggestions for other options to keep inflammation at bay?
Do you believe Fish Oil and Flax Oils are effective for inflammation and at what dose? I never know if these things are actually doing anything besides emptying my purse out.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Simonsue,
NSAID are known to cause flare up of inflammatory bowel disease.
But there are no reports of natural supplements used as anti-inflammatory agents causing flaring up of IBD.
But my suggestion is - if you experience worsening of symptoms everytime you take the supplements, you better stop taking it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Colitis Forum

Popular Resources
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem