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Asacol Question and Help Please

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/9/2010 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Well called my doc about the bleeding starting and the D. He wants me to try Asacol again i tried it once and made me sick to the tummy only took it one time. I am worried so was thinking taking one pill 3 times a day instead of 2 see how that goes then take 2 if all goes well. Am I the only one that thinks this is a good idea? Who out there takes this and is it well tolerated?

                                                                           Thanks, YankeeKat

Posted 3/9/2010 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
So you only took one dose of Asacol? If that's the case, I'd honestly give it another go, as it could have been coincidental. How many mg are your Asacol pills? If it's the standard 400mg pills, only taking three probably won't do much good at all.
Posted 3/10/2010 12:13 AM (GMT 0)

Yes it is 400 mg. 3 x a day it says on the bottle is that a high or normal amount ? I was just going to try taking 1 and see if i throw up again then if not then try 2 not stay on 1 I know sounds silly but don't like being sick to the tummy LOL.

                                                                                 YankeeKat.

Posted 3/10/2010 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
The "regular" maximum doseage is 12 400 mg pills, split into two doses. I've seen people on up to 16 a day.

I'm confused as to what your bottle says? It should say how many to take each time.
Posted 3/10/2010 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
It says only 2 pills 3X a day so 6 must be a real low amount to take?

Posted 3/10/2010 12:23 AM (GMT 0)
Different docs have different strategies, but most prefer to hit it pretty hard with the Asacol (or similar drugs) to get the flare under control quickly. I know quincy's doc uses lower starting doses, though. I'm guessing your doc only prescribed 6 due to your past troubles. If you find that you can tolerate 6, but your flare isn't getting better, I'd talk to your doc about increasing the number of pills you take.
Posted 3/10/2010 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
My doctor prescribed 6. When that didn't work, he had me go up to 9 but never more than that
Posted 3/10/2010 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Did you all also have alot of side effects?

Posted 3/10/2010 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
None. Maybe hair loss, but I think it was more that I was losing my pregnancy hair and I'd been so incredibly sick. It started growing back after I got into remission, but before I switched from Asacol to Apriso.
Posted 3/10/2010 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
just hair loss but i was also anemic and pregnant
Posted 3/10/2010 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
I started on 6, went up to 9 and am now trying to cut back so I'm on 8 per day.

The only thing I've noticed is that my face is oilier than usual.  Worth it to me.

I'd try it again for sure...best of luck!

Posted 3/10/2010 8:38 AM (GMT 0)
I'd say take what the doc recommended with food. You can also take it twice daily.

I think the reason you had stomach discomfort was because of the rectal inflammation plus possibly reflux.

Take it with food.....try not to worry about it as much this time.

It's great you're taking the enemas well.

quincy
Posted 3/10/2010 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
I've been up to 15 400mg of Asacols a day but never had any stomach troubles with them like I did with Mesalamine. One pill 3x a day probably won't do anything. One side effect that drives me insane is the Restless Legs.
Posted 3/10/2010 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I've not had any trouble with asacol,even the 16 a day for the past decade.
My son is on 8 a day with instructions to go to 9 if/when he shows symptoms.

As I recall from long ago, the instructions I received with azulphidine were to start on a few pills a day and then increase to the prescribed amount (I was on 6 a day for several years) but that maybe have been to help in regard to the sulfa component and not really hold true for asacol....
Posted 3/11/2010 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
This is one of the most tolerable drugs- works like other 5asa on the colon "topically". If you have side affects, they are GENERALLY the allergic type- then, none of the 5asa's work, but I think you need to give it the full dose and more time. You may have great results from this one-don't fear the easy stuff! Some Tummy trouble can be moderated with even easier med's--ginger- Nauseam for Nausea. etc. Don't let the UC get out of control, or your options get smaller and scarier! Yes, been on 12 per day, and it wasn't enough...My 2 cents.
Posted 3/11/2010 1:12 AM (GMT 0)

Thank You all for your input. I talked to the doc he said take Imodium AD. for the D. and want's to do more blood work now to see why the rowasa would just stop working. I still have D. and alot of gas ARGH!!!! pains in the left side i never really had a problem with that before?? I feel like i am going backwards instead of forwards.

                                                                               YankeeKat.

Posted 3/11/2010 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hair loss. Hair loss. Hair loss. Otherwise, Asacol is a great drug!
Posted 3/11/2010 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Rowasa quits working when it is not enough! You hopefully have had a recent colonoscopy and biopsies to confirm diagnosis. Too much Immodium can cause Toxic Megacolon---not a good outcome. Make sure you know what you are dealing with. New doctor vote!!
Posted 3/11/2010 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
I did not take any imodiom i have not even picked it up yet. Thanks for the warning on that one. It was just to help with the D. for the short term. The rowasa was working like a charm till about 9 days ago. I was told that it works forever if you use it ? If just stopped working so sudden confusing???

Posted 3/11/2010 2:06 AM (GMT 0)

Oh p.s. i just had a colonos. (sorry can't spell it LOL) it has been 6 months now with left sided UC. 12 inches about sorry forgot to answer ya on that one :) Thanks.

                                                                            YankeeKat.

Posted 3/11/2010 2:51 AM (GMT 0)

Oh Question if i have no problems in the past with rowasa and it is absorbed through your body even though it is a rectal med why is there a problem with asacol i thought it was the same thing?? Thanks..

                                                                                 YankeeKat.

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