Lialda verses Metamucil

Hi , I have had colitis since 2008. I have the constipating type .I have taken asacol for 6 months and I stopped after that my colitis went into remission for like 4 years. Around 2013 I was on strong antibiotics and again the colitis came back . Again I took asacol for 6months than I stopped and felt better . Than I started taking Metamucil 2 tbs. nightly. My stools were bulky I felt good . My mistake I started taking less of the Metamucil and than a flare up of colitis started in February. 2015. My insurance would not cover asacol so I started lialda . I have taken it about 6 weeks with some improvement but stools pencil thin , I am tired, my skin is very sensitive almost like it's thinning , I gained ten pounds , I am bloated, I feel a funny sensation in my legs as if it restless legs, I feel terrible . I started cabbage juicing , I make a banana with coconut oil and silk milk smoothies. I love that makes me feel good but I only take that daily ,not sure too much is good . Still I feel only 50percent better. Two nights ago I started taking Metamucil my stools became normal I feel better. I can't believe only two days and my stools were not thin more bulky . I don't want to take lialda . Am I doing the right thing ? Should I cut the lialda to once a day vs. 3-4 times a day . Than eventually stop ? I well not stop the Metamucil like I did .My Gi doctor tells me to take lialda but my quality of life feels worse .I am hoping Metamucil we'll be my answer and diet . If anyone can advise me on a diet that's easy to follow I would appreciate.The most important question. Well it be wise to stop lialda ?Thank you so much!!!

Post Edited (Lucyn) : 5/27/2015 10:56:45 AM (GMT-6)

If anyone can advise me on a diet that's easy to follow I would appreciate

There is no doubt that diet affects my IBD but official diets such as the SCD, Maker's diet, and Paleo do not work for me. I have a nagging suspicion that one reason why the SCD and Paleo work for some is because it is a gluten-free diet. And gluten is one of the major causes of IBD symptoms.

Many foods that are forbidden by those diets such as starchy veggies and non-gluten grains are perfectly fine for me to eat. And other foods that are legal under the SCD such as shellfish and cruciferous vegetables are poison and aggravate my symptoms.

So I recommend a food diary to document the good and bad foods. Gluten and dairy are the usual suspects. Try going gluten-free for 2-3 weeks to see if your symptoms lessen, then try the same for dairy. If no change is noticed then there is no reason to avoid those particular foods.

But any food can be a problem, it varies by individual. For example I can eat popcorn which for many here is anathema but I cannot eat broccoli or seaweed which most IBDers find OK to eat. YMMV

Lialda is usually taken all at once - not 3 or 4 times per day. The side effects you mentioned are not normal side effects for Lialda but anything is possible. Are you on prednisone? Those side effects sound more like prednisone side effects. So far I agree with ipoop. You seem to have a pattern of going on meds, getting better, quitting meds, and then flaring again. That's something you really can't do with UC as every flare often gets worse and is harder to treat. If the metamucil works for you I wouldn't stop that either. The cabbage juicing can be contributing to your bloating.

I had restless leg and dull leg pain at night when I took Lialda twice a day. I changed to only 3 pills all n morning and the problem went away.

It sounds like fiber is a good/useful supplement for you, but it is not anti-inflammatory. You might get bulkier stool and still have inflammation putting you at greater risk of cancer.

When you are in remission, a lower (1-2 pill) Lialda maintenance dose may suffice.

But fiber and 5-asa are not either/or. They do different things, and one cannot substitute for the other at the tissue level.

Flares can last weeks, months, a year or more. It depends on patients compliance, and you having a strong enough medication to take the flareup. I had a yearlong flare a year or so back... I went through a lot of different medications until I got the right one.

Yes, take your canasa.

juststud said...
hey lucyn -

welcome

so were you dx'd with ulcerative colitis or some other brand of colitis ?

when was the last time you had a colonoscopy ?

other than what you mentioned, what else does your diet consist of ?

as far as the lialda, take them the way that works best for you - is there a reason why you don't want to take it ?

Hi just stud , thanks for your in put. Thanks for the welcome I see the supplements you take and your not on medication. Can you tell me the the supplements you take and more about that slurry . You are right about the diet .

Post Edited (Lucyn) : 5/28/2015 11:38:53 AM (GMT-6)