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Can Sulfasalazine get you out of a flare?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/22/2014 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
I had been blessed with an almost two year remission after getting my flare during pregnancy under control. It was the longest time of remission for me since getting sick. I was just on Sulfsalazine, but I started to get complacent and forget to take my medication all the time. However, I think this flare was brought on by my first postpartum period, since I've always seemed to have issues with my Crohn's related to hormones.

I went to my GI's PA and she upped my Sulfasalazine. I was on 3 500mg tablets twice a day, and she added more in the middle of the day and told me to visit my GI in 3 more weeks. She was pretty confident it would help get me out of my flare. I've been on the upped dose (and actually taking all doses) for about a week and a half but don't seem to be getting any better, maybe slightly worse with my GI symptoms. Can sulfasalazine get you out of a flare or is it just maintenance, and how long should I wait to see a difference? Any experiences?
Posted 1/22/2014 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
I think the same thing is true of all the mesalamines - there isn't a lot of evidence (ie, scientific study-based evidence) that they are effective, but if they work that's great. Where is your inflammation? If it is rectal, then I think a rectal mesalamine would be a much more effective way to treat this flare.
Posted 1/23/2014 1:14 AM (GMT 0)

I agree with Kazbern,

5 ASA's are becoming a passe treatment option. They are very unlikely to stop a flare. Would be considered for maintenance at best. Many GI's now feel they are useless.

Posted 1/23/2014 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Kazbern and 73monte, thanks for your input. I've actually been on a myriad of medications before- Remicade, Humira, Methotrexate, Prednisone, Flagy, Cipro, LDN and Sulfasalazine. The only ones that worked were Remicade for a short period, and then Prednisone, Cipro and Sulfasalazine. Cipro worked best for me but I couldn't take it while pregnant, so I'm guessing since Sulfsalazine has an antimicrobial component perhaps that's why it was helping. I guess I've been out of the loop for a long time since I didn't realize they were considered not very effective anymore.

I do have arthritis when my Crohn's flares, so I'm not sure if Sulfasalazine is considered passé for arthritis as well, but it seemed to be helping before. My inflammation is on the left side of my colon, previously the rectum was involved, but I'm not sure this time since (sorry if this is TMI) my tags aren't flared like normally.

I guess I'll wait it out and see. I'm praying the flare fades away with just the Sulfasalazine since I'd like to avoid steroids and more antibiotics if possible.
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