What can I do about ulcerative colitis?
The questions to ask yourself to live the life you deserve
You may not even give it a second thought anymore. When friends call and ask you to meet them, you automatically say no because you are afraid of a flare-up of your ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms. Telling yourself it is okay to miss out on places you really want to go is typical for people with UC.
But there is so much more to life than your UC.
Be prepared. Peace of mind is sure to follow
Flare-ups, diarrhea, abdominal pains, and gas may keep you from venturing out to public places. But you do not have to wait for the latest blockbuster to come out on video. To see that movie on the big screen, use careful planning to overcome your fear or reluctance.
Never feel at a loss, thanks to the bathroom finder
One practical tip is to map out restroom locations before you go to restaurants, shopping areas, and theaters. Here is a restroom finder you may find useful.
Prepare for the journey
For longer trips, carrying extra underclothing and wet wipes can help you feel more prepared. It is also very important to remember to carry enough of your medication for the length of your trip.
There are answers out there, and in you
Take an inventory of the activities you have dropped out of or plans you have canceled because you have just accepted that your condition is in charge. Then, think about how great it would be to turn the tables on your disease.
When symptoms flare up, do you
- Tell yourself that "things could be much worse?"
- Ignore symptoms, telling yourself they will go away?
- Feel hopeless or pessimistic about your condition?
- Avoid social situations?
- Avoid certain job opportunities?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is time to take a more active role in managing your condition so you do not let it get the best of you. Extended relief could be within reach if you take positive steps, such as
- Talking with your doctor about proper diet and exercise that fits your needs and helps you manage your symptoms
- Keeping close track of your symptoms
- Preparing so you do not have to worry, by
- Finding out where the restrooms are ahead of time
- Bringing extra underclothing on outings
- Carrying extra toilet paper or wet wipes
- Taking your medication as prescribed
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
APRISO is a locally acting aminosalicylate indicated for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis in patients 18 years and older. APRISO is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to salicylates or aminosalicylates (sulfasalazine) or to any of the components of APRISO capsules. It is recommended that patients have an evaluation of renal function prior to initiation of APRISO therapy and periodically while on therapy. Exercise caution when using APRISO in patients with known renal dysfunction or a history of renal disease. Mesalamine has been associated with an acute intolerance syndrome that may be difficult to distinguish from a flare of inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms include cramping, acute abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea, sometimes fever, headache, and rash. If acute intolerance syndrome is suspected, promptly discontinue treatment with APRISO. There have been reports of hepatic failure in patients with pre-existing liver disease who have been administered mesalamine. Caution should be exercised when administering APRISO to patients with liver disease. The recommended dose of APRISO is four 0.375-g capsules once daily in the morning (1.5 g/day) with or without food. Because dissolution of the coating of APRISO granules depends on pH, APRISO should not be coadministered with antacids. Patients with phenylketonuria should be aware that APRISO contains aspartame, equivalent to 2.24 mg of phenylalanine per day. In 2 well-controlled clinical trials, the most common treatment-related adverse events occurring in at least 3% of adult patients taking 1.5 g/day of APRISO and at a rate greater than placebo were headache (11% vs 8% for placebo), diarrhea (8% vs 7% for placebo), upper abdominal pain (5% vs 3% for placebo), nausea (4% vs 3% for placebo), nasopharyngitis (4% vs 3% for placebo), influenza and influenza-like illness (4% vs 4% for placebo), and sinusitis (3% vs 3% for placebo).
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/ or call
1-800-FDA-1088.
Complete Prescribing Information
For product information, adverse event reports, and product complaint reports, please contact:
Salix Product Information Call Center
Phone: 1-800-508-0024
Fax: 1-510-595-8183
E-mail: Salix@medcomsol.com