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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/8/2011 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
I went in for a routine colonoscopy in July 2011 & doctor did biopsy on inflammation site on colon. Bioposy MIGHT have indicated mild case of Crohns or Colitis. Doctor diagnosed it as Crohns, prescribed Lialda. Prior to this, the ONLY symptoms I had were some abdominal pain occasionally. No diahhrea,no weightloss, no fever.  I have been taking Lialda for 2 weeks and feel worse than ever.  I now have the diahhrea and more stomach & abdominal pain.  Has anyone else suffered these side effects of the drug? I'm ready to stop taking it!
Posted 9/8/2011 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
I think it's time to give your doctor a call. Here's some information from the drug's website:

Products that contain mesalamine, like Lialda, have been associated with a condition that may be difficult to distinguish from an ulcerative colitis flare-up. Symptoms include cramping, stomach ache, bloody diarrhea, fever, headache, and rash. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor immediately. Your doctor may decide to discontinue your medication.

http://www.lialda.com/

Please don't worry too much if it does turn out to be a reaction. Many of us had to go through a few of this sort of drug before we could find one that worked for us.

Remember, please call your doctor asap. If it's a reaction, you don't need to put up with it: your doctor can help.

Best wishes, and welcome.

Ivy.
Posted 9/8/2011 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Ivy, do give your doc a call and discuss changing your meds. Its important with this disease to use meds at all times even when feeling better, because Crohns can be in there doing damage on a microscopic level without you even knowing it. Good luck!
Posted 9/9/2011 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you both! I actually did call my doctor today, but had to leave a message with the nurse. The odd thing is, I never really had any symptoms of Crohn's, it was just found when doing my routine colonoscopy.  I was surprised, though, that you said the disease could be doing damage inside even if I didn't have symptoms.  I never thought of that.  The thing that confused me is that my doctor didn't even sound 100% sure that this is what I have! 
Posted 9/9/2011 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi hate meds. Welcome to HW.

Most of us CDers are like you—we hate meds too. lol.
But as the others above said, CD can do damage even if you feel fine. Meds could stop the CD in its tracks. Since your disease is mild, it might be easier to put the disease in remission, especially before it causes more damage. If active disease is untreated, it will cause more damage and eventually you will feel the symptoms, which can be quite debilitating.

There are other meds for mild disease. Also, probiotics might be beneficial for you.

Let us know which new med you try. Good luck!
Posted 9/10/2011 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
thank you... I have to call my doctor back on Monday if my symptoms don't get better and he will change meds. He also suggested the probiotics. I will keep you posted on what happens. I really never thought of the disease causing any damage since I never really had any symptoms.
Posted 9/10/2011 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi hate meds, welcome!

I was in the same situation as you when I was diagnosed. I had no symptoms and was diagnosed through my annual GYN exam (I had perianal skin tags). Was sent in for a colonoscopy and found the Crohn's. Had no idea anything was going on in there! Unfortunately, very shortly after that the usual Crohn's symptoms started up, exacerbated from the stress of it all.

So yes even though you may not have any symptoms, definite damage can be destroying your insides!
Posted 9/10/2011 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking Lialda for 2 weeks and feel worse than ever. I now have the diahhrea and more stomach & abdominal pain...
my doctor didn't even sound 100% sure that this is what I have!

Lialda is a drug known as 5-ASA so if you are allergic to Lialda then don't be surprised if you are like me and allergic to the other 5-ASAs as well. The major difference among those drugs is how or where they break down in the digestive tract.

Congratulations for having a GI progressive enough to recommend probiotics. He sounds like someone you can work with. You need to ask him if you can get a definitive diagnosis for Crohn's. It would be a shame to take unnecessary meds if you don't really have IBD because some of those meds have side effects affecting the kidneys, liver or pancreas.

I would also consult with your GI about Crohn's doing damage on a microscopic level. I could never find any information about this anywhere. I have heard that some meds can prolong remission. I have heard of microscopic colitis, I have even heard of microscopic Crohn's. But I have never seen anything about Crohn's causing damage on a microscopic level.

Please consult with your doctor about this. Perhaps they mean that inflammation causes scarring and that repeated inflammation can build up scar tissue? By prolonging remission then meds can help prevent scarring? I don't know. Your doctor sounds like an excellent source of information.
Posted 9/10/2011 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you to both of you..Riddlemethis and Babeinthewoods...You both have provided me with a lot of good information. I don't have to see my doctor until Feb, but if the next med he prescribes causes me more problems, I will make an appt. to see him sooner. Good luck to all of you who have responded to my concerns. I appreciate the feedback.
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