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Need input on Asacol

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/24/2009 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a mild case of proctitus since 2003. My symptoms have included constipation, small amount of blood on stool, mucus and stomach pain when flaring. I've always used Rowasa enemas when in a flare and they have always worked. For the past six months I've had a small amount of blood in the stool and occasional mucus. My last colonoscopy in July showed mild inflammation. I've continued to use the Rowasa nightly (most of the time) and I still have a little blood. My doc wants me to try Asacol for a month to see if we can get the bleeding to stop along with continuing the enemas. I am hesitant since it seems that there are many side effects and I seem to get any side effect that a drug has listed.

Are there success stories out there for anyone with using Asacol for mild UC or UP?

Is having small amounts of blood on the stool with no other symptoms bad?

Thanks for any input.

LG
Posted 10/24/2009 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
LG,

Asacol can work extremely well for mild UC or UP. From what you've written, your symptoms seem mild, but you don't want to risk things getting worse. That's why I would recommend getting things under control soon. And if you notice any side-effects then you can just stop using Asacol and try something else.

Hope you're fine soon.
Posted 10/24/2009 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had any side effects from asacol, and I often get the side effects listed on the RX packages, too...with asacol, nothing. Unfortunately it didn't work for me and my UC symptoms, so I no longer take it. My MD explained that asacol breaks apart and starts to work much later in the digestive tract, rather than in your stomach like a tylenol or other drugs that get broken down there. I hope this helps, and good luck!
Posted 10/24/2009 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Using both meds is the way to go...I would, however, suggest you not start at a high dosage. Starting at 2400mg daily (6x 400mg) and increasing if necessary is best to avoid any side effects such as diarrhea/loose stool.

I've been on oral/rectal 5ASA meds for over 20 years. The enemas are increased and tapered to twice weekly....

If you can take 5ASA meds, that's the best way to start. There are also steroid topical oral/rectal that you could try at a later date if needed....or other 5ASA orals.

Go for it.

quincy
Posted 10/24/2009 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
I think he is starting me on one 800 mg pill two times a day.

Thanks for the info. I will start it tomorrow and hopefully it will work.
Posted 10/24/2009 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
I started with just the Asacol in August and I have no side effects from it at all. I take 2400mg/day and now I've added the Rowasa enemas and no side effects. I as well have my fingers crossed that this will work for me!

Oh, and I think as far as side effects go, the Asacol and the other 5-ASAs have the least scary ones.

Good luck and I hope this works for you!
Posted 10/24/2009 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I've taken 5-ASA drugs for 26 years - asacol and before that ts predecessor, azulphidine - and the only thing I noticed when I started was that it was a bit more easy to get sunburned.
It's really the most mild of the UP/UC drugs. As my GI said recently, these lists of side effects... probably in this day and age the FDA wouldn't approve aspirin!
Posted 10/24/2009 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Asacol was the first drug I took for my UC, I was on it for a year and was then switched to Lialda because the Asacol didnt do anything for me.
Posted 10/25/2009 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I also took it for decades, and participated in the drug study for 5-ASA. No side effects for me, it saved me from surgery when I first started it with the drug study.
It's kind of just aspirin (anti-inflammatory) with a special coating so it won't dissolve until it gets to your colon.
Posted 10/25/2009 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
asacol really helped me to get into remission...started feeling better within about 2 weeks and within 6 months was so much back to my old self...started gaining weight back...
Posted 10/25/2009 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
It helped me when my flare went from mild UP to mild/moderate UC. I am still using it for maintence and it has kept me out of a flare.
Posted 10/25/2009 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
I use asacol as a maintenence med for mild- I guess I'd call it left-sided colitis, though it's slightly more extensive than that. Works fine for me.
Posted 10/25/2009 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
I also have ulcerative proctitis and use asacol and canasa.  I have never had a problem or a side effect and it works great for me.  I am usually symptom free. 

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