Managing Colitis

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I just got fed up with dealing with being sick all the time. I had a hard time finding the right treatment for my colitis and I am still not sure about the current treatment I am on.

The good news is that after my last colonoscopy in February (I think) the doctor confirmed that I only have colitis in the lower part of my colon. Speaking of colonoscopies--am I the only one that can't finish the prep drink? This is the second time that I couldn't finish it all. I even started drinking it early and sipped ginger ale in between to keep from being bloated. The ginger ale did help and I recommend that as a way to get through the prep. I'm a small person and I don't eat or drink  much anyway so why do I have to suffer and drink all of that? They should do the doses by weight. Grrr.

Anyway, back on topic. I told my doctor that I had a bad experience with Asacol so what does he do? He puts me on Sulphasalazine, which is known to had worse side effects than Asacol. And guess what? I took my first dose on Christmas Eve and it triggered a major migraine. I spent Christmas Eve alone in bed (not really alone--my faithful dog was at my side) and missed my family gathering. So then I said I would try Asacol again. I already have a problem with headaches and Asacol made them worse. So, on to Plan C. Since I have colitis in the lower part of my colon, the doctor said I could get by with a rectal treatment. Now I was told that I was being given suppositories so I imagined a small gel-like pill that I would have to insert, but no, it's more like an enema. I have to do this every night. It's not too bad, but I think it's giving me diarrhea so I have to talk with my doctor.

Has anyone read the side effects for these colitis treatments? One of the most common side effects is colitis. WTF? I give up.

The Joys of Enemas

In my last post I mentioned that the only treatment that worked for my last flare was a Rowasa enema. When my doctor first brought this up to me, I refused the treatment, but later was mad at myself for not using that treatment sooner. I initially refused the treatment because I pictured this painful, messy process. I remember getting an enema once as a kid and it was anything but fun. Not that the new enema treatments are fun, but they are better than what I remember enduring.

True, it’s kind of a hassle because you have to block out thirty minutes of your time in the evening (the enema has to be done at bedtime so that enough time passes after the last meal) to do the procedure, but I found a way to make the time useful and strangely, relaxing. The treatment comes in this huge box so I couldn’t use the drive thru window at Walgreens, I had to go inside and have the pharmacist ask me if I needed him to explain anything to me in front of all the other people waiting. Of course, I quickly told him I would call if I had any questions and bolted out of there.

For six weeks, every night at bedtime, I had an appointment with a small bottle. That’s one thing I really liked—the treatments come in convenient little bottles that can be tossed in the trash when finished. No mess, well, not quite anyway. This is what I did. I brought in a mat that I use to lay by the pool and covered it with an old towel. I used a couple of other old towels to cushion between my legs (you have to lie on your side) and another one as a pillow. I was able to lie down in the master bathroom, and with the door open, I could watch the television in the master bedroom. I also brought in books to read. It was kind of cool. I had that private, quiet time to myself for thirty minutes. The insertion process doesn’t last thirty minutes, that took maybe a minute, but you are supposed to remain in a reclined position for thirty minutes.

It was pretty easy and I liked it so much better than the pills. The enema works best for people with colitis in the lower part of the colon, but it’s always better to check with your doctor as to what treatment works best.

Cheers and good health!

Colitis Chick

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