Switching from Sulfasalazine to Mesalazine (Salofalk)

To the best of my knowledge, none of the UC medications have any affect on libido. However, antidepressents certainly do affect libido, are you on any? It's true that sulfasalazine can decrease sperm count, but that's really only a factor if you're currently trying to conceive and have a child. If you are not trying to conceive, then no worries.

Often a decrease in libido is due to a UC flare (aching sore abdomen) or it can be emotional/psychological collateral-damage from a UC flare (uc is an unsexy disease, poop is taboo, and we can feel gross/weird with a lower body-self-image because of it). When I was flaring badly for a year the very last thing on my mind was sex, my dear wife had to beg me for it. I'd take one for the team, bear through the discomfort to keep her happy. Once I healed and entered a remission then I was fine. Your self-image can be damaged, when you constantly worry about pooping, accidents, and feel weird because of it, that can persist into a remission for a while. It's PTSD from the flare and you still feel different and worry which can impact your libido. If you're not relaxed, confident, and comfortable with yourself and body, then it has an impact.

I can’t answer about sperm. But I take salofalk granules daily with no problems... that I no of :p
my mouth gets a little dry occasionally but otherwise they seem to be doing there job.
Maybe your body just needs time to adjust to new meds? I think an upset tummy is a side effect? Maybe one that won’t last.

Got the sperm result... And it's not normal... The s spermatozoa are moving too slow....I really hate this stupid disease now and it's nasty medication...😬

iPoop said...
Are you trying to have children? That'd be the only time you'd have that test or worry about the motility of your sperm.

If that affect of sulfasalazine is very troubling to you, then I'd switch to another proto-mesalamine drug without that affect:

Colazal® (generic balsalazide disodium)
Dipentum® (generic Olsalazine)

I do believe you have health anxiety above and beyond UC to contend with.

Well, I'm 42 and my wife is 32...so we'd try to have one in a year or 2...
Apart from that... It affects your mood... Being a man... I'll see if the ones you mentioned are available here... Or I'll try the Salofalk granules too. Problem is I don't have enough time before I go back to China...
Thank you!

A few months ago, i chalked-up my low libido to what IPoop said about the psychological toll of UC. On an unrelated matter, I was asked by my endocrinologist about my libido, etc. and I told him that I had decreased libido and that it was probably because of the colitis and how "unsexual" it made me feel. He went ahead and checked out my T levels, and sure enough it was low. I've been on TRT now for some weeks now, and a lot of what I blamed on UC turned out to be because of low T levels: Fatigue, libido, sense of well-being, energy, weight gain.
I would strongly recommend you get some lab work to see if there's something there (or not).

Good Luck!

Tristan1974 said...
A few months ago, i chalked-up my low libido to what IPoop said about the psychological toll of UC. On an unrelated matter, I was asked by my endocrinologist about my libido, etc. and I told him that I had decreased libido and that it was probably because of the colitis and how "unsexual" it made me feel. He went ahead and checked out my T levels, and sure enough it was low. I've been on TRT now for some weeks now, and a lot of what I blamed on UC turned out to be because of low T levels: Fatigue, libido, sense of well-being, energy, weight gain.
I would strongly recommend you get some lab work to see if there's something there (or not).
Good Luck!

I would have to google this 😇. Well, I've actually lost weight... And was pretty healthy before April... When my whole UC journey started... Thanx!

I've been home for the last 10 days...Thing is the only UC specialists here are in Sofia... Difficult to book but I'm trying. I'm going to Portugal for a week on Tuesday... I really hope I don't poop in my pants while in buses, subway etc. 😁

I'm worrying in advance... It hasn't changed for the last 3 months... Miss my usual horny self, that's all. Thanx for your usual understanding and support.

If I can't see a good doctor here.... I might try Hong Kong or Shanghai / Beijing.
I usually go to a Taiwanese hospital where I live...at least the doctors speak English there.

quincy said...
So, get on rectal meds....you will hate them so much, but have so much improvement that you just might get back to your old self or whatever.
q

I wouldn't mind trying at all.... All doctors say they are useless for me though.... Mine is only at the beginning and at the end... But I see you point 😎

quincy said...
As in rectum and cecum? Clarify in depth please.
Consider this info.....UC STARTS at the rectum....rectal meds will always help THAT AREA.

Ask for them.....

q

Ok, I'm trying to book a specialist in Sofia... But things seem pretty behind in my part of the world...😶

My opinion is no. You could eventually use them for maintenance, but you mention diarrhea.
Mesalamine Enemas come in 2g, 2g, 4g dosage. Foam and liquid depends on brand. Liquid amount depends on brand.

Steroid enemas come in foam and liquid....varying dosage and extend depending on volume of brand.

So....how much involvement in lower end?

q

Keep us updated ,
q

Petar said...
do have this symptom: feel urgency but when I go to the toilet it's only gas 😑...but I don't feel bloated either... Or just some very small pieces come out...🙄

This is known as tenesmus, and it is the most annoying symptom we get with an UC, most of us all know it well. Tenesmus = untreated rectal inflammation. Your solution is rectal medications: canasa suppository, steroid suppository, mesalamine enemas/foams/suppositories.