Possible relief (PLEASE READ)

Hi everyone.  I signed up to this forum a while back but I rarely contributed.  I read a lot of posts and saw just how many people this disease effects.  I have had ulcerative colitis for about 5 years now.  I can't even imagine those of you who have had it longer.  This amount of time felt like an eternity and it controlled my life causing me to alienate family and friends.  I tried everything under the sun, naturalpaths, nutritionists, specialists, ayrevedic (not sure spelling), etc.  You get the idea.  Well things seemed to work for a short period and then the flares would begin again.  I gave up on finding a cure because I tried EVERYTHING.  Anyways enough rambling and on to my point.  I was considering surgery when my new doctor told me about a new version of Asacol.  The prescriptin reads Asacol HD Dr 800 mg tablets.  This CHANGED MY LIFE.  My doctor told me that they have seen really encouraging studies from this and he was actually heading to a convention regarding it.  I beg you if you are in pain, bleeding, cramping, and you know the rest, give this a try.  I say give it at least a week or two to take effect.  Trust me I was beyond skeptical.  I tried Asacol before and it actually made my UC worse.  I feel like a new person again.  I was skeptical for a while when I was on it because I expected to have it fail again just like everything else.  I will tell you in all honesty I cried when I realized this worked.  I no longer have blood, almost no urgency, and almost no cramping.  The reason I am posting this is if this can help just one person control this disease I will be the happiest person on the planet because I know how hard life can be.  I hope I posted this in the right area, like I said I did not frequent this forum to much.  Also please if this works for you post here and let me know and of course tell others.  Feel free to message me with any questions.  I am trying to spread this anywhere I can.  I understand this probably will not help everyone and I am sorry if I get anyones hopes up, but just give it a try.  What do you have to loose except your ulcerative colitis. 

I am sorry you are in a bad flare right now.  At my worst I was going twenty some odd times a day.  I also was on prednisone more times then I can count.  The longest was over a year.  I recently went for a bone density test and I am awaiting those results.  Prednisone was heaven and hell.  It stopped my symptoms but wreaked havoc on the rest of my body.  I understand that Colazal treats the rectum better, but since you are in a bad flare I would suggest trying the Asacol HD.  Like I said I tried Asacol and Colazal a while back and neither worked, the Asacol actually made it much worse.  I know this sounds too good to be true, but this truly changed my life.  If your still not sure at least ask your doctor about it and see if he would recommend trying it.  I hope things get better. 

I know having accidents is a terrible feeling.  I was having some which is why I was contimplating surgery.  I tried it all enemas, every pill out there, diet changes, fish oil, probiotics, herbs, vitamins, curamin, etc.  Luckily when I had my accidents I was close to home, but the feeling is so bad.  I felt hopeless.  This made me stay closer to home even more then usual.  That must be rough having oseoporosis in addition to UC.  I am pretty nervous about my results because I have bad aches and pains a good deal of the time and I am only 21.  Plus the fact I have been on prednisone so much, the longest being over a year.  I guess I just got to hope for the best.  I really hope everything works out for you.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.  If you do end up trying the Asacol HD please let me know if it helps you.  The results on it sound so promising and I wish and hope it could be the cure for everyone.  No one deserves this. 

Is this the new Asacol once a day that I assume is out now to compete with Lialda which has the once a day appeal?

It is not once a day for me either.  I actually take three tablets in the morning and three at night.  Sometimes people think I take a lot of pills, but these six are nothing compared to what I used to take.  Once a day would be nice, but for complete relief I am very happy taking pills in the morning and at night.  For broken_pipes how is the Asacol HD 800mg working for you?  Also, how long have you been on it for?