pentasa

You will find alot of different opinions on this medication. For those of us with mild Crohns medications such as Pentasa or Asacol are great options to help keep the inflammation down. I have always been able to control my flares with Pred and Pentasa or Asacol Before my resections I took Pentasa, after my resections I take only Asacol. It works great for me and has little to no side effects. I believe all Crohnies should be on some type of maintainance medication at all times even when in remission. And if you can get away with just using a mild medication like Pentasa, I say go for it. Good luck! JMHO

I have been on Pentasa for about 6 years with no side effects. After several fistulas I had to add 6MP, but together they work for me. My mom has CD too and Pentasa is her only maintance drug - she has been on it for about 15 years now.

i've been on several 5-asa drugs, including pentasa and asacol. i never thought they did anything for me. but some people swear they work.

but note this: i was at the san diego ccfa's chapter education symposium this last april. 2 different doctors, in different talks, both said and showed with data, that with crohn's disease 5-asa drugs, such as pentasa, are no better in CD than a placebo. they do however note a clinical response in UC. now this made sense to me as to why I never felt they helped me. now just cos the data says that in CD the results are nothing better than a placebo, that does not necessarily mean that some people with CD arent legitimately being helped by the drugs. i asked my GI about this in may and he confirmed what those docs said. so this may be something you may want to talk to your GI about. but do some research first cos doctors can get very defensive if you question them. something to think about. i dont mean to get your hopes down. just wanted to pass on some info i've discovered from my personal experience.

best of luck!

thanks crazy harry! so how to you manage your crohn's?

thanks harry u gave me food for thought!

thank u so much mystery girl! ive decided to wait to discuss it with my family doctor first before i decide what to do!

Since pentasa is a mild medication my opinion is to try it and see what happens. My main complaint was pain and it helped almost immediately. You can always go off it if you don't like it. It's not like the immunosuppressants that take months to be fully effective.

Have been on Pentasa for almost 7 years and it worked wonders for me. No side effects and felt better within a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, my CD seems to have progressed a bit in the last year or so and I've now started Remicade but continue with the Pentasa. My GI doesn't believe Pentasa does anything (my former GI does and she's the one who put me on it) but he says I can continue with it if I want.

It gave me terrible diarrhea. Also gave me a rash. It may be "mild" but it didn't do me any favors.

I have inflammation in my left eye! I've been to the eye doctor and had medicine for it, but it keeps coming back. It's getting annoying. I even had to put these goop in my eye when I slept.

Just to add to this i have been on Pentasa for 12 months and apart from a small blip at the moment it has kept me flare free and anything that does that i love !

Good luck Jacenta

Kerry

 

Oops just realised im on the Chrons site,ive got Pancolitis - im blaming that LondonRed he's everywhere lol

Yes heavly they usually do take a couple weeks to work. If things aren't really improved alot within the next few weeks, I would contact your doctor. Maybe you might need to add something to the mix. Good luck!