Posted 5/4/2012 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
Re: Generic Colazal (Balsalazide)
The (Roxanne) generic works just well enough for me to keep me out of the hospital. I literally would have bizarre high volume sludge diarrhea after dinner almost every night. Brand name Colazal is SO much better for me!
Re: Anxiety, sleep problems
I never noticed any worsening of anxiety or insomnia on Colazal. In the 7th circle of hell prior to my diagnosis, I couldn't sleep even taking 2 benadryl. I saw some improvement, in fact, just by going on Colazal. I think it took my body out of the profound state of shock it was in prior to being admitted to the E.R. (initial diagnosis)
Sleep problems and anxiety had been with me since the early days of my acute illness. My anxiety has all but vanished thanks to treating the UC with Colazal and going gluten free (wheat has nasties that cross the blood-brain barrier and can circulate in the bloodstream).
I still have to take herbal sleep aids in order to go to sleep at a decent hour, however. (I can fall asleep without them on the weekend, but tend to stay up until midnight or 1am). I used to take a product called "Lunasom PM," but it apparently went out of business with no explanation (not sure if that should be cause for concern for me!)
Since then, I take Chamomile capsules and melatonin, both of which I've verified to be gluten free by the way. I tried a mix with Valerian root, but it may have caused me cramping. The chamomile/melatonin mix works like a champ to knock me out. I still sometimes wake up for short periods during the night, but that doesn't bother me much. This new combo does tend to make me a little groggy, and I take it about 2.5 hours before bedtime. The lunasom was near perfect but like I said before, they went out of business.
I am not a doctor, though, and you have to make an informed decision on your own when looking at herbal supplements. In my case, I simply felt I had no choice.
Of course if you have unusual symptoms, check with a doctor or pharmacist to make sure it's not a side effect. I don't know what kind of side effects are possible with Balsalazide, but I'm sure people in this forum do.