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Crohns or UC?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/18/2009 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
Went to the doctors today and now I am being treated for symptoms of UC since my last colonoscopy showed a UC pattern. He wants me to take Lialda and everything I read says it is for Ulcerative Colitis but I have been diagnosed with Crohns Colitis. I take 100mg 6mp and currently on 9mg of entocort to treat a recent flare.

Has anyone gone back and forth with their diagnosis? My discharge sheet for the first time in 3 years said diagnosis: UC . (I didn't notice this until I met with the check out lady.) I have to go back to get free samples tomorrow and will probably ask why the switch. I am very confused.

I do understand that most medications are used for both diseases. And I am sure he will tell me that basically my inflammation is only in the large intestine. And I did say but you did find a pattern of crohns in the scope 3 years ago? and he said Yes. Again, I am confused about the switch.

Has anyone taken Lialda for Crohns? And your thoughts on it?

Thanks!

Sally
Posted 3/18/2009 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Crohn's colitis is the term used for crohn's affecting the colon (it's still crohn's) they use meds for crohn's colitis as they do for UC, the meds basically target the colon where the inflammation is.

:)
Posted 3/18/2009 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Lialda has been prescribed to people with Crohn's. It is a once a day mesalamine product whereas Asacol and Pentasa are mesalamine products that are taken a couple times a day.
Posted 3/19/2009 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Actually my daughter takes Lialda for her crohns - 3 a day.   My husband with colitis takes asacol.  I don't really know the difference.

Posted 3/23/2009 11:26 PM (GMT 0)

I took asacol 2 sometimes 3 x a day about a year ago and found that I was missing more doses then it was worth so went off of it. My doctor said Lialda is the same except you only have to take it 1x a day. I just started it this morning and I am on entocort and 6mp as well so we will see if it helps me or not.

Maybe the difference between the two medications is x per day you take it. He prescribed it to me because there is research stating that while it may not always prevent a flare up it does lower the risk of colon cancer in patients with UC.

Sally

Posted 3/24/2009 9:42 AM (GMT 0)
Well there must be slight differences in the medication, perhaps you should feel which treatment was working better for you.
Posted 3/24/2009 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
The main difference in UC and Crohns colitis is that UC only affects the mucosal layer of the bowel, which is the first layer, and Crohns colitis every layer of the bowel is affected. And obviously UC is only in the colon, therefore, removing the colon actually cures UC.
Posted 3/24/2009 6:31 PM (GMT 0)

Yeah, I heard the same about how UC and Crohn's affect the bowel and I think I also remember my doctor explaining to me that UC typically affects the whole colon whereas Crohn's colitis often has patches of healthy colon in between the affect areas.

And, Sally: Up until recently I was on Lialda for my Crohn's (four times daily), but was taken off because it was not working for me.  I have heard good things from others, though, about it inducing/maintaining remission, so really it's just that everybody's different.

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis confusion, it must be very frustrating.  I know that the treatments for UC and Crohn's are pretty similar, if not interchangeable, so at least you know you're not being treated for the wrong thing.  Good luck with the Lialda, I hope it helps.

Posted 3/24/2009 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, with crohn's the many layers of the mucosal lining can be affected but not always, it just depends on the severity of each patient (which is often the reason for fistulas, although not all crohnies will necessarily get fistulas either) where as with UC only the surface of the lining will be affected.

:)
Posted 3/25/2009 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Sarah! I for the first time in 6 years was ready to just throw away all of my medication. I was finally only taking 100mg of 6mp and now I am right back to 7 pills a day and using canasa 2x a day. But I quickly recovered and realized that when I can go more then 3 months without flaring we can discuss reducing my medication. :) Thanks for the info on the lialda. I had tons of gas last night but tonight seems to be a little better.

My inflammation has always only been in the large intestine. One colonoscopy showed patchy inflammation which is when he switched me to crohns colits. And I remember everyone freaking out and I said but basically the treatment is the same but now I can't just remove my large intestine thinking it will be a cure. He never told me pb4 about the layers he just diagnosed the crohns colitis because of the healthy colon in between the inflammation and that I had inflammation in the ilieum. At least I think, I will probably ask him more about it at our next appointment or when I have to call and update in a few weeks.

Thanks everyone!
Posted 3/25/2009 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Yup SallyC, skipped patterns of inflammation indicate crohn's and if it's in your colon it's refered to as "crohn's colitis", if the entire area was inflammed then that would indicate ulcerative colitis but in your case it is crohn's, you were definitely DX properly. Just so you know, the same meds used to treat ulcerative colitis are the same used to treat crohn's colitis, because certain meds are designed to target inflammation in the colon. It's also more common for crohn's colitis to cause bleeding so don't be too alarmed if you bleed but of course always report any changes to your doc.

:)
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