New to pentasa

I just started taking pentasa. First, would you say 3-4 weeks till you started to notice it helping? Is the point of the med to stop the flare or minimize symptoms? Or both. I saw this med can cause cramps and d. But can it cause c? and for those with more c then d what do you do to help besides taking laxitives? I am only on 2 pills 2 times a day however then said I can go up to 4 pills 2 times a day. I must admit some days I am lucky to remember to take it once. So I need to work on that. I am also on a gluten, rice and yeast free diet. For the past week I feel good no cramps or pain but not going until today still no pain but blood. I am still trying to learn about this disease and now the med. also I have a slow transit time. Now with pentasa I am told it is to release at certain areas. From the time I eat something till it comes out (sorry) is about 5 days. Do you think that will affect when the pentasa is releasing in me?

At this time you are on a very low dose. This would be a maintenence dose, not a dose to get you through a flare. I expect you have a small bowel issue as this is what this med is designed for. The dose you are on is so low that the studies show this to be ineffective. I am actually on a lower dose (3 x 500) but it works for me and I remain in maintenance.

Given your low dose it is very important to at least take what is perscribed. I put my pill box on the table where I eat. I take the meds with meals. I always eat breakfast and dinner, so I always take twice per day. Just an idea.

Seems like you are treating your CD with diet. I do also. Perhaps you might want to look at a couple of diets, as potentially doing a diet completly might really help.

I believe FodMap is no yeast. I remeber mushrooms are out. Sorry I did some reading a while back and forget the details re FodMap. Some here really find this to be helpful. If you ask, I am sure someone (Leslie?) will point you in the right direction.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is no glutten, rice, grains, suger and some other stuff. This is the one I do and it works for me. If you are interested I can point you on this one

If nothing else you will learn more about the science of why diets help some folks.

Dave

 

I keep my meds in cabinets so my kids do not get them. So it is usually out of site out of mind. However I don't really like taking pills in the first place and thankfully my problems are mild. I have also been living with them for over 10 years being told it is just ibs, live with it. So I am till trying to remember that there really is something wrong with me. My dr gave me samples and wrote 2bid on the box. But when I finished with that and he send a script to the pharm he ordered 4pills 2times a day. When I called and questioned it they said he has it down to take 4 -2x. But they said I can stay with 2 if it helps. First thing is remembering to take it. As for diet. I really believe this is key in helping to treat this. However I grew up on processed box crap and never eat anything fresh or healthy. Sugar is a weakness of mine. However on the gluten, rice nd yeast diet my sugar intake has decreased dramaticly. I am not sure I have an issue with gluten. However when initially went off just gluten I started to free better until the rice allergy kicked in. Once rice was out I was good. Still not where I wa a year ago at this time but good. The allergy test also showed yeast. So I also have taken almost all yeast/fungus. My only issue is I am starving. I have started to add meal replacement drinks for days I don't reach 1000calories. I am enjoying the wgt lose but not always being hungry. I have been trying to add more fresh natural organic foods in my diet for the last 3 years. I now like broccoli and cauliflower but it has always been with cheese. Green beans and peas are great mixed in things but not by themselves. Fruit gives me oral allergy reaction. However I add banana to hot oatmeal and only have minor issues. But I do love, love fruit. So I am eggs, meat and potato meals. I don't think I am to be eating lunch meat with the yeast issue but I do. I am hoping that after the new year which would give me 5/6 weeks on this full diet that I can add ketchup, mustard and mayo back in. If that goes well then add cheese. If that goes well I may try gluten. I have looked at the scd and may use that but first I want to work out what I know my body is reacting too. I originally went gluten free as my daughter and sister both have wheat allergies so I was hoping it might help me. And by the way . I am dx with both cd and uc. That is by what my Prometheus tests showed. I have the old one and the more recent advanced one. My last c-scope was done in July but my not so good gi dr and all was normal however 6 years ago I had a pre-cancerous polyp at the age of 26. But looked otherwise. So never any ulcers. And my endo 3-4yrs ago was good as well. I was having stomach ulcer symptoms an abnormal upper gis so my new gi thought it is most likely in my sm bowel but my Prometheus showed uc more dominate then cd. So he labeled me both. Thank you for you feedback! I really appreciate it