Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group
Crohn's disease is a systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown cause, that results in chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, and can also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract. There is no known medical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease, but there are many medical...
Addicted to Cortizone Enemas? Harsh Medicines
Has anyone ever heard of an addiction to cortisone enemas? This summer, my doctor put me on Colazal pills and 2 weeks of Cortisone enemas. In was feeling GREAT, but as soon as the enemas ended, my colon started to bleed again. Also, my stools looked like sand in water.
Recently had the follow up appointment, and the doctor is afraid that I'm addicted to the cortisone enemas (she called it a steroid addiction.) Have you ever heard of this?
She gave me more cortisone enemas and we are gradually reducing how often I take the enemas. If we can't get the bleeding to stop, she's going to put me on harsher medicines. She suggested either mercaptopurine, azathrioprine, or remicade.
Have you ever taken these medicines? Did they had bad side effects and have you been pregnant or breast feeding while on these meds?
Has anyone ever heard of an addiction to cortisone enemas? This summer, my doctor put me on Colazal pills and 2 weeks of Cortisone enemas. In was feeling GREAT, but as soon as the enemas ended, my colon started to bleed again. Also, my stools looked like sand in water.
Recently had the follow up appointment, and the doctor is afraid that I'm addicted to the cortisone enemas (she called it a steroid addiction.) Have you ever heard of this?
She gave me more cortisone enemas and we are gradually reducing how often I take the enemas. If we can't get the bleeding to stop, she's going to put me on harsher medicines. She suggested either mercaptopurine, azathrioprine, or remicade.
Have you ever taken these medicines? Did they had bad side effects and have you been pregnant or breast feeding while on these meds?
I have never heard of being addicted to steriods but I have heard of being dependent on them. This could be what your doctor was referring to. My body was also dependent on them (and still is). It took me a long time to lower my dose as I would start bleeding again. I'm now only on a tiny dose and still lowering down. It has taken me almost a year to get here though.
I have been on azathioprine since May. I wouldn't call it a "harsh" drug but it is on the stronger end. As far as i've noticed it hasn't caused any side effects with me. I'm on a few other meds though so i'm not always sure what my symptoms are being caused from. If you are on this med make sure you get your blood taken to check it out though. I have never been pregnant or breast feeding but I have looked up some information on it. I've read that they have never seen any damage to the child when taking aza while pregnant but that if you would like to breast feed it's best to go off it as they're not sure if it can be passed through the mother's milk or not.
Best of luck to you!
-Kayla