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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/16/2011 11:36 PM (GMT 0)

I was diagnosed with UC last July. Since getting on Asacol HD, my symptoms have been mild to non-existant. The problem is, I am finishing up school and patient saver plan I was using has changed. The Meds are starting to cost me $480 per month. I was thinking about taking a hiatus from taking meds and see how I respond.

The question I have is, has anyone spent a period off meds? If so, what were your experiences?

Posted 2/17/2011 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Studies (double blind random) showed Boswellia extract (3 pills a day) did as well as Asacol. Costs almost nothing! That was for Chron's but seriously, can't see how UC would be that different. Dose it up!!!

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

An 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 102 people with Crohn’s disease compared a standardized boswellia extract against the drug mesalazine.12 Participants taking boswellia fared at least as well as those taking mesalazine, according to a standard score of Crohn’s disease severity. A small, poorly designed trial found some indications that boswellia might also offer benefit in ulcerative colitis.4

12. Gerhardt H, Seifert F, Buvari P, Vogelsang H, et al. Therapy of active Crohn disease with Boswellia serrata extract H 15. Z Gastroenterol. 2001;39:11-17.
Posted 2/17/2011 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
I do not recommend stopping your meds without talking to your doctor first. There are other 5-ASA drugs that are generic that might help you -- sulfasalazine, generic Colazal (not sure on the spelling). Please at least call your GI before quitting your meds. If you're in college, does the school offer health insurance you could get on that would lessen your med cost? Also how old are you? If you're under 26, you can get on your parents' insurance.
Posted 2/17/2011 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the quick replies. I am a 27 y.o. Grad student. I have insurance, it only covers generics though. I'll have to look into the Boswellia extract. It is worth a shot.
Posted 2/17/2011 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Be mindful on the Bosweillia - it can cause diarrhea. It made me worse, actually.

Please talk to your Dr before going off the meds.
Posted 2/17/2011 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
I talked to my doc about this in the past. He said my UP is very mild and if I came off the meds it could easily spread and worse case be canerous. Needless to say I havent gone off anything.
Posted 2/17/2011 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Carpi, have you checked out the Resources link at the top of the forum - I believe there's a savings card for asacol HD.
Posted 2/17/2011 6:21 AM (GMT 0)
There is a savings card for the HD. You should be able to get it for free!
Posted 2/17/2011 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
I had to discontinue my meds at one time because I couldn't afford them and we had no insurance. I began this journey with UP, it then spread to Left sided because I wasn't taking meds. Yes, please discuss this with your doctor and look into the savings programs.
Posted 2/17/2011 1:43 PM (GMT 0)
Turmeric (curcumin) is another natural supplement that is just as effective as mesalamines. Probiotics, vitamin D, and fish oil wouldn't hurt either.

I also don't take meds but I find that watching my diet for foods that trigger symptoms much more effective than natural supplements. No doubt that curcumin and boswellia have helped me but no matter how many supplements taken (and probably meds too if I took them), if I eat something bad then I will have symptoms.

Keep a food diary to isolate what food you need to avoid. Gluten, dairy, and high fructose corn syrup are the usual suspects for most.

If diet and natural supplements don't do the job then it may be worth it to go back to Asacol. Some people thrive on low level meds like Asacol for years. For others eventually they may abruptly just stop working and you will be prescribed big guns that may have serious side effects.
Posted 2/17/2011 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
BabeITW said:
I also don't take meds but I find that watching my diet for foods that trigger symptoms much more effective than natural supplements. No doubt that curcumin and boswellia have helped me but no matter how many supplements taken (and probably meds too if I took them), if I eat something bad then I will have symptoms.

I agree, except that I do still take Rx meds (generic Colazal).
I would say be careful adding supplements and if meds are helping you stick with the known before venturing off into the unknown.
Many of us weren't getting any improvement with meds which is why we tried supplements and diet modification.
Most supplements, even ones that many people here swear by, have been negative results for me. It's all a very personal journey.
Posted 2/17/2011 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
How about slowly dropping the number of tablets you're taking?

I was taking 6 a day and am now at 3 a day ( I dropped the dosage over a month) and had no side effects/changes in symptoms.
Posted 2/17/2011 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
like the others said, there is a card available for Asacol HD. I don't think it's free but it limits your payments to $50. Goodluck!!
Posted 2/17/2011 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
The Asacol HD is a $50 savings, not $50 max payment. I believe Lialda has a much better patient assistance program.
Posted 2/17/2011 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the great replies and support everyone. I do have a patient savers card for Asacol HD. It used to be $50 a bottle. But on Jan. 1, the plan changed. Now they only cover $50 of the payment. I have insurance, it just sucks.

I contacted my Dr. about switching to a generic form of mesalamine. waiting for a reply.

Again thanks for the support. This journey is new to me and it has already proven to be quite frustrating. The only thing I have looking forward to is that I graduate in 2.5 months. I will have a real insurance soon!!
Posted 2/18/2011 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Glad you graduate soon. Do you already have a job lined up? Let us know what your doctor says re: generic mesalamine!
Posted 3/5/2011 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone,

I have a follow-up on my original post. I was recently switched over to Balsalazide. Its a drug covered by my insurance. The good part was it's only $15 per month. Definitely affordable. Hope it works a well as Asacol has for me.

Sara14, I dont have a job lined up yet but am graduating with a physical therapy degree. I hope to have a job lined up before I graduate in May.
Posted 3/5/2011 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
You could also look into sulfasalazine if you need a generic. I hope the Balsalazide helps.
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