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What is the longest amount of time Asacol should be tried to see if it works?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/5/2014 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on asacol for just over 4 months
I have had a handful good days. but for the most part I still go to the washroom between 6-10 times a day.
Those washroom trips are not always stool, but often just gas and drips.
Depending on what I eat, the bleeding can be controlled.
I just tried my first pentasa suppository, but the dumb thing was broken, and when I tried to fix it, and get the medication in, most of it soaked my sheets. I found the whole "insert" part irritating so I have not done it again.
My dr.s want me to make the switch to remicade as i haven't been able to achieve remission with asacol yet.
So I'm just trying to figure out how long I should keep trying?
Posted 6/5/2014 5:24 AM (GMT 0)
good question. I'm on my second month of Delzacol. Wondering how long before I need to switch. I'm considering Simponi.
Posted 6/5/2014 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
Max dose on Asacol is 4.8 grams per day, which would be 6 pills per day instead of 4.


On the Delzicol, 1.2 grams per day isn't even a maintenance dose. I wouldn't even consider something as strong as Simponi until you have tried the 4.8 grams per day for a while first. If you've already tried that and tapered back, maybe you need to increase again. I also question how well your gluten free diet is working if you're considering Simponi. You may also want to consider taking much more VSL than what you are taking.
Posted 6/5/2014 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Asacol/Lialda does nothing for me
Posted 6/6/2014 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Gary are you saying I should keep trying asacol up to the max dose? (obvs talk with dr. before doing it on my own)

And I am curious for your opinion on this.

Because I am seeing some results including no loss, to minimal loss of blood, is this a sign that the drug is working?
Posted 6/6/2014 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. Especially since it seems to do something for you. In some people it may not do anything and even some others are intolerant to it. But, if it seems to help you some at 3.2 grams per day then it only makes sense to at least try it at 4.8 for a while and see what happens. I wouldn't switch to any other strategy until you have done that first. It may or may not help but if I were you doctor I would at least want to find out. Asacol is a pretty tame strategy compared to other meds. Most people find that treating both orally and rectally is the best strategy.
Posted 6/6/2014 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
In my experience Asacol (and recently I switched to Lialda) can't ever bring me out of a flare. But they work great at keeping me in remission. And if I ever stop taking my Asacol or Lialda I get a flare very quickly.
Posted 6/7/2014 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
I would definitely try again with the rectal meds, they really are important I think.
Posted 6/7/2014 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
I am going to try again tonight. I really hope the release mechanism doesn't break.
Posted 6/7/2014 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
I use Pentasa suppository's and push them in with my finger, so I'm unsure of what you mean by the release mechanism?
Posted 6/7/2014 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Well, and this may seem really dumb, but the mechanism I am talking about is when you twist the cap a full circle to allow the liquid out.

I could not for the life of me get it to open, and then when I took off the lid/nozzle, the piece inside that i assume was meant to open the valve, was broken.
Posted 6/7/2014 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
I think your talking about enemas not suppository's....a suppository is a large tablet that you insert up your bottom...... unfortunately. smilewinkgrin
Posted 6/8/2014 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
WhooopS! my bad. enema is what I meant. anyways I could not get the liquid medicine in properly
Posted 6/8/2014 6:38 AM (GMT 0)

garylouisville said...
Max dose on Asacol is 4.8 grams per day, which would be 6 pills per day instead of 4.


On the Delzicol, 1.2 grams per day isn't even a maintenance dose. I wouldn't even consider something as strong as Simponi until you have tried the 4.8 grams per day for a while first. If you've already tried that and tapered back, maybe you need to increase again. I also question how well your gluten free diet is working if you're considering Simponi. You may also want to consider taking much more VSL than what you are taking.

Gary,
I'm taking 1200mg twice a day of Delzicol, total 2.4 grams. Is that a maintenance dose? As for gluten, there is no doubt that it is a terrible problem for me.

Your information about histamine on a different thread, got me thinking and researching. It really sounds like I have histamine overload in addition to everything else (or because of everything else). I'm trying to figure out the next step or supplement. Rather than simponi or more Delzicol, I'm thinking about which DAO supplement I should try. Any advice is appreciated.
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