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Dual diagnosis

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/4/2017 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Have been diagnosed with not only UC but crohns as well. I just started Lialda 1.2 2XL daily on weds 3/1. I think I am already experiencing side effects. A headache that won't quit ..loss of appetite..abdominal pain like unto a flare up and am very tired.
Is this the norm..only 2 days in ..how long do I need to give this stuff to be effective?
Thanks
Posted 3/4/2017 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
never heard of dual diagnosis. maybe chrons colitis?

2.4mg of mesalamine is not a lot, and side effects are uncommon.

it can take weeks to work. what were your symptoms? what did the path report from scope say?
Posted 3/4/2017 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
The gastroenterologist on the follow up of my colonoscopy said that he was "sitting on the fence" as to which to diagnose me with at this point..thus prescribed Lialda as it treats both. Report showed showed quite a bit of inflammation throughout ..symptoms have been diarrhea that can last for weeks then reside.. my last bout at times included blood. I experience at times quite a bit of abdominal pain cramping & tenderness. I follow up again in a month & he wants to repeat a colonoscopy in 6 months.
Posted 3/4/2017 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
1. A person can have ulcerative colitis and crohn's disease together. It's rare, but it can and does happen.

2. Lialda does not treat both UC and Crohn's. Many GI's prescribe it for Crohn's; but it was never approved by the FDA for it; and clinical trials have shown it is ineffective in treating Crohn's disease.

3. So if Lialda helps, it's likely you have UC and not Crohn's.

4. Biopsies taken during the colonoscopy can often help determine whether or not it's Crohn's or UC (although sometimes even the biopsies are inconclusive).

5. Also the location and pattern of the disease can help in determining which it is.

6. Sometimes it can't be determined whether a person has UC or Crohn's colitis, in which case it is deemed 'indeterminate colitis.'
Posted 3/4/2017 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
it might be better to have a mesalamine that released a little sooner then Lialda does. That way if there is inflammation in your small intestine, you are covered.

but, if the inflammation is confined to your colon, and it is not clear if it is UC or Chrons Colitis, Lialda is convenient.

as Beave says, the pattern and/or the depth of ulceration seen in biopsies can usually say UC or CD.

was there biopsies and a pathology report?

mesalamine is a more gradual drug for inflammation - but if you are getting side effects those came on quick. You could skip a day or two and if the headaches go away, and then you start again and they come back ... well you see how it could work.

good luck
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