Pentasa..darned if I do, darned if I don't!

I've been on Pentasa for about 4 years now. My GI says it's not even necessary for me to be on it since I'm on the 'cade now, but I never like to solely depend on one drug. However, over the holidays I experimented with taking fewer, and finally with taking none. My results were the rectal burning I've had for three years (and thought was residual fissure pain) was all but gone. However, after a few days my stool got hard and dry and was hard to pass. I tried to drink more water (up to 3 liters) ad eat more fruit and veggies (which I already eat plenty of) but nothing helped. Yesterday I went back to my full dose and this morning I burned like fire.

Sound familiar? Any help out there?

Thanks! 

Thanks! yeah, one of my theories is that if I continue Pentasa I need to way up my fiber to that of a "normal" person. Right now I'm considering halfing the dose and adding a softener.

Well, I guess unfortunately it does cause side effects for me. Loose stool that burns! Otherwise I have a normal poop. Unfortunately, I think I may either have narrowing due to scarring or have become somewhat addicted to pentasa and my guts don't want to lubricate correctly without it. I hear this can happen with a dependency on stool softeners, so maybe Pentasa too. So, do I want the burn tomorrow or a poop that takes 20 minutes to come out? Hmmmmm.