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Just prescribed Pentasa

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/12/2010 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hello. Just got home from the dr and he wants me to start Pentasa. Right now I am on Entocort. I have severe Crohn's. I thought he was going to put me on 6MP but, because he couldn't do the full blood work up due to insurance coverage, he thought maybe the Pentasa would work well for me along with the Entocort. He'll slowly get me off of that if the Pentasa seems to work.

My question is, I am flying on Friday for a trip to Aruba and I'm nervous to start the med today.(Tues) in case of bad side effects. I always take Immodium before I fly and don't eat anything, just in case. The dr said I could wait until after I get home to begin it if I would like. Should I be nervous about having bad D if I start it today??

What are everyone's experiences with Pentasa?

Thanks! Pam
Posted 10/12/2010 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking it for years with no side effects whatsoever. I think you can take it starting right away, and you'll know pretty quickly if you're going to have anything bad result.
Posted 10/12/2010 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
First, the good news: For most people, Pentasa has little or no side effects at all.

Now the bad news: For severe Crohn's, Pentasa isn't going to do squat to help it. It would be like putting out a forest fire with a squirt gun.
Posted 10/12/2010 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I take the sister med to Pentasa called Asacol. I have never had any side effects from it. I would give this med a shot. Pentasa works really well for some, and not at all for others. If it works for you then great, because you will be maintained on one of the mildest meds for Crohns. I think it will be fine to start the med now. Good luck!
Posted 10/12/2010 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all of your advice. So nervous to start anything new before I fly as traveling is stressful enough! ;)

This won't cause the dreaded 'thinning of the hair' like some of the other meds? I know this is a silly thing to worry about but, being a woman AND a hairdresser, makes me uneasy.
Posted 10/13/2010 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
I took Pentasa for a long time - with most meds I get a lot of the side effects - with Pentasa I got no side effects. It really is just like taking an aspirin except even milder because it mostly just stays in your gut and doesn't get absorbed into the rest of your body. True, it works great for some and not for others. It didn't work for me in the end because my flare was too strong, but it did work for me years ago and it really was just fine to take. Never had a problem with it - and it definitely didn't affect my hair. Good luck & all the best on your travels!
Posted 10/13/2010 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks blueberrydecaf! And I love your name!

I decided to wait to take it as soon as I get home from my girls trip to Aruba! I know worrying makes things worse for me as it is.

The dr and the biopsy results show severe Crohn's but, I don't have many symptoms at all. I just am very irregular and some foods go thru me. No pain or bloody D. I always thought I had IBS for many years. Maybe it will work for me.

Have a great day!
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