HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Quincy Question or anyone who can help.

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/2/2008 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
I have Left sided colitis and near cecum (mild) to reach these areas (cuz I have no idea where the cecum is) do you think I need both oral and rectal? I'm trying to do the least as possible with the meds since they effect bad.

Has anyone broke a asacol in half and tried with starting with half and working their way up to more tablets? I know it says don't break or chew.

Posted 6/2/2008 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Asacol are VERY hard tablets. I've never seen one broken. Also - the coating on the outside is was keeps the med from being dissolved until it reaches the intestines. So, breaking it would negate that effect.
Posted 6/2/2008 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
The cecum is the first part of the colon, so rectal meds wouldn't reach this area.  You'd need oral meds like Asacol that I think dissolve in the terminal ileum (last section of small intestine) and cecum.

Tara

Posted 6/2/2008 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Is it possible for one area to heal and not the other or is it when you have both spots you'll always have both? It just stinks and I hate dealing with this.

I go to the bathroom 3-4 in the am and usually nothing all day, but the feeling of "maybe I have to go" is always there. Thanks all for responding.

 

Posted 6/2/2008 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
i know the feeling you are talking about. i think you should give it a little more time if the asacol has helped you get to this point.

i also used to have that "i may need to go at any moment" feeling and i don't any longer.
it could also be PARTLY psychological since you're used to going during the day.

why not start rectal meds and keep up with the asacol?
have you made any diet changes?
Posted 6/2/2008 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently in the same situation of going a handful of times in the morning then usually fine the rest of the day but just have that feeling. A large part of it I do feel is phsycological as I was used to going all day. My weekends are usually better than the weekdays, and I think this is b/c my mind is not thinking about it all day, while at work sometimes I dwell on it. I recently started the suppositories and have seen some improvement, atleast with the urge in the mornings. My dr put me on the suppositories b/c he felt the 6mp was helping heal the upper part of the tract but wasn't helping the rectum. Stools are mostly formed. Can't say I'm going any less at this point though.
Posted 6/2/2008 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi..ditto hedgehog (that used to be my nickname when I had very short red hair..lol!)

If you're not wanting or can't be on 5ASA meds, then consider the topical steroids Entocort and suppositories.

You have to deal with the cecum...for if you don't, the rectal inflammation will still give you grief.

If you have left-sided (up to the splenic flexure??)...there's a new steroid topical that's just being introduced that will be released in the colon as well as the terminal ileum.

You do have some options. Remember that the topical steroids will have some symptoms, but not as much as systemic.

Worth a try, methinks.

quincy
Posted 6/2/2008 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for takinig the time to respond. The diet is helping a lot of but tough no doubt.

Posted 6/2/2008 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Therearemiracles, another option since you're having trouble with the Asacol tablets is to talk to your GI about Pentasa. It's mesalamine, the same drug that's in Asacol, but it's in a capsule form and dissolves in the end of the small intestine, near the cecum. It's often used for people with Crohn's who have involvement of the small intestine. Because it's a capsule, it could be a little easier to swallow.
Posted 6/2/2008 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
I know what you mean about alot in the morning and then feeling alright but thinking you have to go. Also, I have a pill case on my key chain and i definitely broke an asacol there, its an offwhite color inside - but like someone else said, probably loses effectiveness when broken. Actually there was one in one of my bottles from the pharmacy and i was thinking i should probalby bring it back for the price of these things. Just wanted to share my stories, be well...
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply