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Got my first prescriptions today, any thoughts guys?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/18/2009 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
OK, if you didn't see my previous posts, I'm 32, female, had a colonoscopy in July, dx idiopathic colitis (rectum, sigmoid and lower left) per the surgeon. Today I saw my doctor (internal med) and he gave me Asacol 400mg 2 pills, 3 times daily. He said he didn't want to put me on a rectal med b/c he was going to have me go to a GI, which I see for the first time on Aug. 28. He also gave me an antibiotic...b/c I have alot of mucus/pus per the pics on the colonoscopy. Well, I've been taking the probiotic Align for about a week and a half so...is this ok with the antibiotic as well. I meant to ask him that but I was taking in so much info I was a tad overwhelmed.

Also, how long before I will tell a difference with the Asacol, if it is going to work for me?

Thanks for any thoughts or experiences you might share with me!
Posted 8/18/2009 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Asacol can take a while to work, just because it's possible for the inflammation to be getting better, but not seeing any improvement in symptoms. But I'd say that you should see at least some improvement within two or three weeks. That's also a fairly low dose, as 12 400mg pills per day is the max (I think...I know that's what I was taking).

Go ahead and keep taking the Align, but try to take it as far away from the antibiotic as possible. For example, if you take it once daily, then take the Align with dinner. Or, if you take it three times daily, try to get the last dose in about two hours before bedtime, then take the Align at bedtime.
Posted 8/18/2009 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed just a year ago and the asacol worked pretty well. I started off 6 pills a day then had to go up to 9. I didn't start 12 until I started bleeding again. But I did notice an improvement pretty soon.
Posted 8/18/2009 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, I realized that sounded not so encouraging. I was fine for about 3 months on the Asacol, then I started having a flare. But I never had any side effects from it :-)
Posted 8/18/2009 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Is the Asacol your first Tx? Usually, the dosing for active colitis is 12 pills/day of Asacol, with 6 pills being more of a maintenance dosing. You should start to see some improvement from the Asacol, but it may take the rectal meds to help it as well. So, definately would talk to the GI about rectal meds. Hydrocortisone enemas seem to generally work for people, with the goal being retention through the night. Rowasa (5ASA) enemas are another good one.
Not sure why you're taking an antibiotic... Sometimes Colitis is a mis-diagnosed form of infection from c-difficile...is that why? Usually a stool sample will confirm that first. Definately take lots of probiotics will on antibiotics. The most potent form is a product called VSL#3, if you can find it.
Good luck!
Posted 8/18/2009 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, As I've mentioned elsewhere, I've been taking 16 Asacol a day for 10 or 15 years. Prior to that I was on 12... prior to that, azulphidine. (And various mesalamine enemas, suppositories, and cortisone enemas along the way.)
It's hard for me to remember how long it took to kick in - and when I was first diagnosed I was put on prednisone at the same time, so it would be hard to tell anyway.
I wanted to say - someone's comment about VSL - if you google VSL#3 you come to the company Sigma Tau - they make it. They sell it directly and ship it in a freezer box with ice packs. If you order Mon thru Wed of any week it'll ship the next day, 2nd day Air. And - the shipping is free. (I'm not being a commercial, just sharing the info.)
Good thing the shipping is free, because the product itself is pricey. But I'm taking it and Ultimate Care Floral and find them both worthwhile.
Posted 8/19/2009 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
I agree, you should probably be on double that dose of Asacol plus mesalamine enemas. And there are a number of good probiotics available, so experiment to see what works for you.

I'm not so sure about the antibiotic. We usually try to avoid those unless we have a proven infection, because they can predispose us to getting an over-infection with clostridium dificil, which is a very nasty little bacteria.

I'm glad you have a GI appointment coming up soon.
Posted 8/19/2009 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a low dose to me too. If you don't see improvement, remember that you can increase your dose and add rectal meds. I saw improvement pretty quickly, probably within a week
Posted 8/19/2009 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I started out at nine pills a day and I saw improvement very quickly.
Posted 8/19/2009 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
c-o-t-o.....the 6 Asacol daily is a good start, and you should see "some" improvement over the next week or so.

Your GI will hopefully give you rectal meds, although the other doc could have regardless of you seeing the GI next week, but it's not a long while to wait considering you're also on antibiotics.

The align is a great idea.

Keep us posted as to how that appt goes.

q
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