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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/6/2009 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All,

I started posting in the summer.  I was having a kidney removed and I was having a major dilemma regarding the prednisone and whether or not I should take it.  Well, I had the kidney removed and I'm doing great - thank God!!  I had also achieved remission and was doing great up until a month ago and then it started up again.

I noticed that it started after I started taking Concerta - which is an ADHD medication.  It's basically a time release form of ritalin.  I'm curious as to whether or not anyone has taken any kind of ADHD / ADD medication such as ritalin, adderall, dexadrine, etc...  I have stopped taking the concerta and I have noticed a dramatic improvement.  I'm almost afraid to say that I have achieved remission, but I am definately knocking on the door.  I was on Concerta for approximatly 6 or 7 years prior to getting diagnosed.  I've been diagnosed since June of 2008 but I had symptoms long before that.  After I had my kidney removed, I stopped taking it because my body was reacting to it kind of strange.  This was also the same time that I went into remission.  I was doing great for over three months until I started taking the Concerta again in January.  I started flaring less than two weeks later. 

I'm just curious if there may be a connection somewhere.  I know of one other person who was also on similar type medication and also feels there is a connection.  Anyone else?

Thanks and stay well,

Lisa E.

Posted 3/7/2009 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
Lisa -

I'm glad to hear that you were doing better before the recent speed bump. Recovering from a kidney removal and UC must be really tough on you. I tried Concerta for a little while because my doctor was concerned that my energy level was so low. Unfortunately for me, Concerta had a paradoxical effect and it sedated me. I now take Adderall XR occassionaly with no GI distress. We all react differently to meds, and there are a couple of depression meds I've taken before that caused me to have a sensitive stomache. If I was trying them now, I believe it would put me on the road to a flare. So if the Concerta is causing you problems, maybe try something else. There is a new med called Provigil which has the same type effects as Concerta, except that its abuse potential is even lower than it is for Concerta. Hopefully you'll find something that helps the ADD but doesn't cause trouble with your GI system.
Posted 3/7/2009 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa...yes I remember you having your kidney removed...what a relief it wasn't malignant.

I don't have any experience with the med you were taking, but that could definitely be a culprit in your symptoms...especially since you've noticed an improvement since stopping it.

I think you'll have to discuss other options with your doctor, and probably there will be some ups and downs to find one that will do well for you.

Are you taking any meds for UC at this time? Do you have any plans for possible meds such as 5ASA (Asacol/Rowasa..etc)

Keep us posted as to what's going on.

quincy
Posted 3/10/2009 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Guys,

Thanks for responding. I'm currently taking Asacol, Rowasa and probiotics. I can't swallow the Fish oil or I would be taking those, too. My kidney, unfortunately, was malignant but contained, so I'm one of the "lucky" ones. Or at least that's what they tell me. I was wondering about the Concerta only because it's a stimulant and like I said, my symptoms have improved since I stopped taking it. I thought I was heading towards remission until this morning when my old friend bloody mucus showed up, yet again!! I find myself speculating and speculating as to what caused this and what eases the symptoms and every single time, I wind up hitting a brick wall. This disease is such a mind f#@%!! Sometimes I really feel like I'm going insane!!

I seem to be doing okay without the Concerta. I'm more confused than normal, but my body could also be experiencing some kind of withdrawels from stopping them so abruptly, so I'll just wait and see what happens. I hate pills and it seems as though that's all I'm doing is popping pills. I don't mind pills if they're "good" pills, but these are "boring" pills!! LOL The rowasa is a pain in the ass, too (no pun intended)!! LOL

Thanks for remembering me and I'll keep you posted. I'm also going to look into the provigil. Thanks for that suggestion.
Posted 3/11/2009 10:57 AM (GMT 0)
Lisa,

One thing that you might also consider would be keeping a food/medication journal. I know that it seems like a pain in the butt, and it is, but you get used to doing it and it really helped me to identify different foods that helped and didn't as well as what supplements were hurting more than helping. I kept a food journal for a bout 6 months and I was amazed by how many relationships between food and how I felt there were. Without the visible proof the journal provided I never would have found several of them. Just keep track of what you eat/supplements you take, and how you feel that day. It usually takes a day or so to know how food affects you, but it really is a useful tool. Something to consider. It sounds like you do need the concerta or something like it, so hopefully you can find something that works without causing distress (or less distress than the help it provides).
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