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Posted 7/8/2008 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
So, I'm tapering off Prednisone right now.  Started at 40 mg, now at 20mg.  The symptoms have never actually come under control.  I was getting better after the first week, but my GI put me on Asacol which actually caused me to regress for a week.  I called him today and he said that it is not uncommon for Asacol to cause D and blood.  I was told to just stop taking it and to stick with the Prednisone.  I guess I'll see if that works, but don't have high hopes since I've now tapered down to 20mg and don't have the flare under control. 

I'm new to the disease, so maybe I'm just being impatient.  Anyone else with similar experience?

Posted 7/8/2008 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Keep trying things until something works. Are you on anything besides the pred? Maybe suppositories or enemas may be a good thing to try, ask your doctor. Probiotics? Fiber supplements (Citrucel?) Just a few ideas to think about. Sometimes I think some doctors don't have a clue, it is scary. I wish you remission as soon as possible, Belski
Posted 7/8/2008 3:38 PM (GMT 0)

Disbooner,

I couldn't take Asacol either for the same reasons, it worsened my symptoms.  The only 5ASA drugs I have been able to take and see results from are Lialda and Canasa suppositories.  The doctor prescribed 3 Lialda a day.  Three gave me gas and with the gas came mucous.  So, I cut back to 2 a day and that worked MUCH better.

As far as the Pred, I am weaning off for reasons other than remission.  My doctor explained to me that the Pred was to get things under control and then, hopefully, a 5ASA drug would start working.

I totally agree with Belski, I think your doc should be able to add something else.  I also totally agree with Belski on doctors being clueless sometimes.

Good Luck!

Beth

Posted 7/8/2008 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Asacol didn't do a thing for me, however Azulfadine works wonders. Have you asked about that? If you do ask and you are told that if one 5ASA doesn't work then the others won't either, don't believe it, it's absolutely not true. Azulfadine (generic is sulfasalazine) has alot less side effects than most other drugs (I'm not saying it doesn't have any side effects) It's definitely worth trying before going onto high strength drugs. How about adding some rectal meds also? Good Luck

p.s.  I actually believe that Asacol made my symptons worse too.  I had the longest and worse flare (2 years while I was on the asacol) than I have ever experienced in my whole 26 - 27 years of having UC.

Posted 7/8/2008 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
I'll put in a good word for sulfasalazine, too.  It wasn't until I was switched to this med that I realized Asacol wasn't working.  Side effects have been tolerable and have mostly gone away.
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