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Any one else not taking their Asacol

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/3/2008 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
When my UC is in remission I stop taking my Asacol medicine. Have started probiotics since last month and I take those religiously everyday. I have told my doctor about it. She recommends that I take the 6 Asacol tablets everyday even when I am in remission. Has anyone else read or know about staying of the medication when in remission. I am careful about my diet and am doing breathing exercises which seem to help. Thanks
Posted 4/3/2008 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on Asacol for many many years now and stayed on it regardless of whether I am in a flare or not. My doctor decreases when I am in remission for longer periods of time. It's always seemed to help me stay in control.

I've never taken probiotics but am considering it now that I am reading so many good things about it. Any good suggestions?
Posted 4/3/2008 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
I am new, and not qualified to confirm what really works, but that said, I was at the Crohns and Colitis Foundation conference Sat., and the consensus was: The dose that gets you there, keeps you there. Don't go off of what got you in remission. It might save your colon. The case studies are filled with those who think they have "licked" the disease, and they start the slow slide to the horrible end. I am trying to get my daughter off the meds too: no one wants to stay on unnecessary pills; with icky side affects, BUT it is not worth losing your colon. Keep up with the meds., it is the safest route. Pro-biotics can supplement, not replace the real stuff, if you have a significant disease state.
Hang in there,
Posted 4/3/2008 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
If you want to stay in remission longer and have fewer flares, keep taking your Asacol. You have a chronic disease; it needs chronic treatment.
Posted 4/3/2008 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
my nephew quits his to everytime he feels better but doesnt stay better long. I have taken mine faithfully for 5 years and have so for only had the one bad flare which was the one before I was dx with it . my second flare was very mild and caused by having to take asprin. been good sense. I personally would stay on them.
Posted 4/3/2008 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
When I used to take Asacol, they used to send me letters reminding me that I should make sure I continue the medicine even if I was feeling better. So I took 4, or so, when I felt like it... well later I found out the lowest maintenence dose is 6 pills a day. And then I found out I had gotten so bad that I had to start Remicade immediately and may need emergency surgery. I haven't been able to get well since....
Posted 4/3/2008 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
I went off my Asacol because I lost them (It's a long story).  The pharmacy couldn't refill my prescription for 30 days so I had to go without.  I did great for 3 weeks and then the symptoms started to creep back in.  I called the Dr. for some samples until my 30 days were up and could get the pills refilled.  As soon as I resumed the Asacol, I did OK again.  I'm stayin' on them.  They're gold.

Posted 4/3/2008 6:51 AM (GMT 0)
i havent been so on top of my Asacol taking. Thanks for scaring me into being better abt it.
Its just when i rememebr, i have to go find water and im alwys on the run and theres a million excuses....


At a UC seminar i heard a tip that s/o puts their pill case in their shoe at night, so in the morning, there is no way to forget taking it.....
Posted 4/3/2008 10:08 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks everyone! I will talk to my G doctor and ask her to recommend a safe dose. After reading all your responses I am scared now and will take this more seriously.

Posted 4/3/2008 10:33 AM (GMT 0)
There's no need to be scared,just vigilant.My signature says it all,from Sigmoiditis,to Pancolitis.I fully believe that's due to my non compliance with meds,for several years.

The great thing about this board,is my mistake(and others,I'm sure will agree)doesn't have to be yours.I know how easy it is to think you no longer need the meds,you forget how ill you were,once in remission.Please keep in mind,that it's the meds that will keep you in remission.
Posted 4/3/2008 11:01 AM (GMT 0)
I'm glad that you are going to talk to your GI pinkyb. We don't like taking these medications, we don't like having UC but we like to go on living our lives and for us unfortunately all three of those collide. Also by taking your Asacol, it has been proven to help decrease the chances of colon cancer.
Posted 4/3/2008 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
Don't be scared! Just be educated. I stopped taking Colazal cold turkey a couple of years ago and 2 months later ended up on Imuran b/c I couldn't get out of a flare. I know it is a total pain to take meds everyday but in my opinion I think worth it!
Posted 4/3/2008 1:20 PM (GMT 0)
I used to be the same way, I would feel fine and stop taking my asacol, then I would flare up. You will have reduced flare up's by staying on the meds.
Posted 4/3/2008 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
I stopped taking mine and was fine for awhile. But when the next flare hit it was by far worse than it would have been if i stayed on asacol. My UC went from left sided to pancolitis and now i can't get away from this flare (2yrs and counting)

No need to be scared. Asacol is a very safe drug of which very little gets into your bloodstream. Of all the drugs they give us asacol is one of the very safest. To me it's worth the annoyance of a few pills to help my colon stay well.
Posted 4/3/2008 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Big price to pay if they're working for you and just don't want to take them.

You can take them twice daily.

4 - 6 daily is a good maintenance dosage...you should also supplement with a rectal med at least once or twice a week.

I've been on them for over 19 years...won't stop until they stop. My UC has never been as bad as the initial flare and my flares now are extremely minimal. A great pay-off.

Did you know that 5ASA meds...oral and rectal....at a maintenance level....can help protect your colon from cancer as well?

Another plus.

Question why exactly you don't want to take pills that have you feeling better.....I'm sure it isn't because you want to be sick.

quincy
Posted 4/3/2008 4:38 PM (GMT 0)

please, please, please take your asacol...i did the same thing many times.  I'm paying for it now...

Now I can't even take my 9 asacol a day...I'm beyond that and they switched me to all these different drugs.  If only I could go back and do it over...  

Posted 4/3/2008 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
When I was on Asacol, a few times I was doing great for months at a time, then I would stop taking them, and each time like within a couple weeks, I had bad flares that took about 4months to get under control. KEEP TAKING YOUR MEDS!!! Like my GI says, it's eaiser to keep stay in remission then to get back after a flare.
Good Luck
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