Newly diagnosed/Issues with medication

Hello,

I've been having ongoing health issues since mid-March. I won't go into all the details that finally lead me to a GI specialist, a colonoscopy, and a diagnosis of mild Crohn's of the Colon. My major concern is my current medical treatment.

I have been put on 2 pills of Lialda, twice daily. So, 4 pills total. I talked to my doctor about diet change and he was non-committal and not very supportive in thinking a diet change would be beneficial. I have been doing separate research on how to create a diet that would be beneficial to me going forward. Like I said I have been having issues since March and I am so over being this sick. I work at a salaried position in a physically demanding job (I spend 8+ hours on my feet a day, usually work 10+ hours/5 times a week - minimum) and have had to put in for an FMLA accomodation down to a 36 hour reduced schedule as I am out of personal time. I am very concerned if I do not begin to feel better I may be risking my job.

My major issue is a few of things with my medication. Since beginning the Lialda 07/10 I have had headaches. I can no longer take ibuprofen (like most of us) so I am left to really just "deal" with it or hope the tylenol works. I have had a SERIOUS increase in urination frequency. I thought I had a urination frequency before but I am being woken up at least twice a night. I usually sleep like a rock. The Lialda hasn't resolved/helped any of my pain and now I cannot take ibuprofen to help.

The two most concerning things are these though: I have had a flare of ezcema. I have had ezcema my entire life but four years ago I had a skin test that identified irritants. Since I eliminated those irritants I have not had ezcema issues in over three years beyond the smallest, most irrelevant little patch. I have full blown break out right now. The other major concern is the pills are not breaking down. I read already that there is something called a "ghost shell". So, after reading that I examined closer... It is SOLID. I can see some of the white peaking out from behind the reddish/brown outside coat. The entire pill is still there, but puffed out from water.

I talked to my GI via phone about these issues. He said the first couple things (urination, headache) should subside with time. He thinks the ezcema is unrelated and I need to go see a dermatologist. For the final issue he said this is usual and not to worry about it. I tried to explain to him it isn't a partial piece. It is almost the entire thing. It is like when I eat blueberries - about 90% of it shows up on the other side.

I want to feel better more than anything but I WON'T have eczema to do it. When my ezcema is bad I have big open wounds all over my hands that make them painful to bend and I end up on prednisone to pull back the flare after inevitably getting an infection. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Has anyone else had similar issues? Does anyone have some advice?

Sorry for the long post!!

Gia

I would agree with the previous poster. Get another opinion. Go to another GI. Lialda is antiquated. Shouldn't be prescribed anymore. I personally doubt the medication is causing your eczema break out, but the only way to know for sure would be to eliminate the meds. My Daughter has eczema as well, and uses Spectra eczema cream. It seems to work extremely well.

Thank you for the replies and feedback.

The GI switched me to Entocort. I have had no change in the symptoms that brought me into that GI office: fatigue, stomach pain (particularly on left side), joint pain, and period problems (abnormal uterine bleeding). In fact, my fatigue has become steadily much worse, my problem solving skills - which are important for my job - have declined, and I have found work overwhelming under the pressure of no change in my medical condition since April. I understand these might all be the result of the anxiety all of the medical tests, appointments, etc etc have caused.

My GI doctor said that none of my symptoms should be caused by my very mild Crohn's disease. Not the fatigue, pain on the left side (because the Crohn's is on my right), or period problems. I had a mini breakdown in his office and asked him basically then what am I doing here? Why do I care if I have Crohn's disease if HE (the doctor) can't fix what has been wrong with me for MONTHS?

Beave following that outburst he has ordered a MRI with contrast. I also have a follow-up with a gynecologist to discuss laparoscopy to see if I possibly have endometriosis.

Has anyone else had mild Crohn's disease? Are the symptoms I have been experiencing for MONTHS, the ones that walked me into that GI's office, unrelated to the Crohn's?