Hi there,
After seven years of being told I have IBS, I finally managed to see a decent gastroenterologist who sent me for a flexible sigmoidoscopy (had one previously two years ago but they didn't take biopsies), and have been diagnosed with Mild Ulcerative Proctosigmoiditis. I don't know a whole lot about
the condition but I'm guessing it's confined to the sigmoid colon and rectum? However, he's pretty sure I also have IBS, or at least
some of my symptoms are related to that.
I know everyone's symptoms are different but in any case I figured someone might be able to enlighten me on whether my symptoms sound more like UC or IBS. Usually I get horribly soft sticky stools that are a nightmare to clean, and this is I guess my "usual." But the last year or so I've had some terrible bouts of diarrhea, smelly gas, really bad stomach cramps, nausea, fever. (I had already been tested for all kinds of bacterial infection in the stool etc which was negative). I don't know if there's ever any blood (with diarrhea or without) as I can't see any (I do have hemmorhoids which sometimes cause blood on the tissue) but my ESR and fecal calprotectin were both high. Lately tho I've had a burning stinging sensation from my rear end if I end up going too frequently, and I'm wondering if that could be related to the inflammation or if it's my hemmorhoids.
So I was told by my GI to take Masalazine (either Salofalk or Pentasa - recommended Salofalk) for 8 weeks to see if there's any improvement. Now here's where I am a little stumped too as I was recommended 3g Salofalk once daily or 4g Pentasa twice daily. However, firstly I thought I was being prescribed Salofalk and the doctor prescribed me Pentasa. Secondly, they've put the instructions as to take 6!!! 500mg tablets a day up to 3g. I think maybe they've mixed things up there since I was told to take Pentasa up to 4g. At the same time I don't know if 4g is too much for my symptoms - and whether I should be taking a maintenance dose instead.
Either way ,this whole dosage has me confused (and also nervous to start). What is the usual dosage for Pentasa, and do you start at a low dose and work up or is it usual to start at a high dosage straight away?
If anyone has any advice or insight for me, I'd be ever so grateful! Thank you for reading
Post Edited (LuSmith) : 10/17/2018 8:51:02 AM (GMT-6)