How long for SALOFALK increase to kick in?

My dose of Salofalk has been increased - slightly. It's been a week and I don't see a difference? Any opinion as to how long I should wait before deciding if it's working or not?

thanks,
Uni-g :

Hi Quincy -
The bum doc upped my Salofalk dose to 1500mg oral, a day plus enema every night. I'm sort of limpin' along. The bleeding seems to have stopped but regular bms have not resumed. Constipation is the problem, despite a super healthy, vegan, high fibre, etc.,etc diet.

I appreciate your experience with 5ASA. I wasn't sure if they were a quick fix or a patience kinda thing.

Uni-g

Hi UniG..you have to realise that the concept of using medications, especially 5ASA is for treatment and then for maintenance. If you can use it, that's a good thing, for it can serve you well for a very long time.

I look back 20 years....grateful for my doc and his belief in the meds. The patience part was OK since I didn't know any better, but it took a lot of reassurance from him.

The fact that you're seeing improvement is a good thing. Take that and allow the meds to do their thing. A colon doesn't heal in a relatively short time...but it can do so slowly but progressively.

Consistency in the meds is important but I still don't think you're on quite enough oral Salofalk. That can be increased as you need....but do keep with the enemas for at least 3 weeks to a month.

They must also be tapered to every second night once you feel better...but if you've tapered too fast, you'll know soon enough.

You won't be able to hurry it....however....a humbling realisation, not to become desperate if you've not done the effort to actually see how they can work.

I'm sure this isn't really a colsolation, but I was once on the enemas for 4 months nightly....and had to increase the Asacol to 3200 mg daily. So, you see, it's a flexible medication. finding out what it can do for YOU is what you have to do.

Remember, the goal is for long-term, and not to believe it's an all or nothing concept.

5ASA meds are also believed to help in preventing colon cancer....a bit of an insurance from my perspective...especially for me since I also have UC-related liver disease which increases the % of cancer over and above having UC over so many years. But, keeping the inflammation down is the key.....I can't be the only one who's been on it for this long, and if I am, I question either my stupidity or optiomism.

Hang tough in using the meds....please be patient.

quincy

1500mg a day is not a lot. I was taking 1200mg 3 times a day and am currently reducing down to 800mg 3x a day. I am not flaring and I am taking more than you... I also use Canasa suppositories at night to help heal the mild inflammation in my rectum. When I started taking Asacol, it took a while for my symptom to go away. I first noticed the blood going away, then going less often, then the D stopped but things were still soft, now things have finally firmed up and I feel like I am somewhat healed. Don't give up. I think if you have seen some improvements, maybe you will see more. You can always inrease your dose of Salofalk if you need to. Hope you feel better soon.