cause of colitis

Hello,
    Approximately 10 months ago, Dec 08, I took zithromax (zpak) that was prescribed for swollen lymph nodes on the back of my head (swelling subsided but no particular reason was given for the swelling either). On the fourth day of taking the drug I saw  a small amount of blood in my stool. The blood in my stool gradually increased and on seeing a doctor, I was told I had an ulcer in my intestinal lining (Jan-Feb 09). As I was moving around quite a bit because of work, I didn't settle down unto March 09. I had a colonoscopy in April 09 and was diagnosed with mild colitis, and have been taking the Rowasa enema with decent results- as long as I take the enema, the condition clears up but has returned after a month of remission. What other factors will help regulate my symptoms? Can diet, exercise, or herbal supplements be recommended with confidence to aid the effects of the enema? Also, is it possible that the antibiotic zithromax contributed to my condition, as I had no previous symptoms or indications of colitis prior to this incident?

Thank you for your time,
Tom

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Colitis needs life long treatment.
Once remission is achieved, maintenance therapy is needed to keep it under control.
Though antibiotics can cause  flareup, azithromycin use is not commonly assocaited with flareup.
Sometimes there may be c-diff coinfection. So if symptoms persists you need to rule out this infection.