Pentasa alone?

Hi mom2times.  I am wondering if it is just loose stools and no other symptoms.  I ask because I have VERY loose stools (partly due to my TI being resected, then removal of my gallbladder and doc also notes rapid transit) even when I am in a remission state.  So if it is just loose stools and no other active symptoms (like poor results from a colonoscopy, pain, etc), then could it be that his revised diet and or the pentasa is increasing the loose stools?  I use cholestyramine daily (in less than the usual prescribed amount) and that controls my D even when all of my other symptoms are under control.  Just a thought as it seems you are looking for all ends (bad pun intended) of the spectrum.

I'm happy that Pentasa *appears* to be working for your son (although I suspect it's something else that's working, maybe just luck or who-knows-what).

But I seriously question a doctor who thinks his anecdotal "evidence" trumps well-controlled studies. I'm sure he HAS seen lots of kids do well with it - after all, studies show about 30% of people on placebos show improvement. Probably those kids he has seen do well on it would have done just as well without it too.

I have never been on Pentasa alone, but I was on a combination of Pentasa and purinethol for a little over 6 years. The real drag was taking so many pills a day & I would frequently forget or just not be home to take all the doses I needed to take. I'd also have period of just not taking them because I felt fine, and there was starting to be evidence that maybe Pentasa didn't do anything for people.

However, on multiple occasions, I would feel bad after a while of skipping Pentasa, and go back to the full dosage. This would make me feel better again and back to good health. It became more than a coincidence during this period (at least 3-5 times), and I am convinced that I did have positive response to Pentasa.