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Switching from Delzicol to Lialda -- pointless?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/14/2021 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to post again, but I want to know if you all think switching from Delzicol to Lialda would be pointless. I think it probably would be, but I was willing to try it anyway (my old, really bad GI told me to do this) until I got the pills and they are HUGE. I do not do well with huge horse pills. I can get them down if I absolutely have to, but I honestly would rather take the 12 normal sized Delzicol pills than 4 gigantic pills that make me gag.

I have seen Old Hat write here many times about Colazal (sp?) helping more with left-sided colitis and that's where I recently had inflammation while I had just come off of prednisone, but my GI didn't give me that. He said Lialda is what helps that left-sided area. Again, this doctor said a lot of stuff that was totally incorrect and I don't trust him.

Anyway, does anyone think it's even worth it at this point for me to switch to Lialda? I have no idea why this would work at this stage where I'm seriously considering surgery. Thanks.
Posted 6/15/2021 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Between your last post and this one, it sounds like you need to get a better doctor. You shouldn’t have so many doubts about your provider and his clinical decisions, even though I know none of them are perfect.
Posted 6/15/2021 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Lol, I just started seeing someone new. I asked him this. He just went along with it, saying it would be fewer pills and might possibly be a little more effective. I wish I had someone local I really trusted still. I always did my own research and question most things though. I have had a lot of bad experiences.

Honestly, from the very beginning of me getting UC, I always learned way more on the internet than from any doctor. I diagnosed myself from Google before 3 doctors were any help at all... Just thought some people here may know...
Posted 6/15/2021 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry it has been so tough. I think one needs luck to end with a really good doctor or atleast a series of tries with the not great ones to eventually be able to recognize and settle with a good doctor. One must also have the money to be able to look for a more knowledgeable or skilled doctor or just settle with what is on hand .location may have something to do with it too. IBD is not a researched or understood disease in a lot of countries still and even amongst GI specialists some do sound virtually clueless. Perhaps look for consultants or the more senior doctors if you have that choice. The one good thing with the covid situation is that it is possible to reach a lot of doctors and experts via phone and video consultations in other places too, if you just want a second or third opinion that is.

Hang in there.
Posted 6/15/2021 10:03 AM (GMT 0)
I'd say low odds of their being much difference. Some do claim one brand works better than another though! Yeah they're huge horse pills
Posted 6/15/2021 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both! I just started Xeljanz today. The new GI I'm consulting with via telehealth is good, I think. Just this Lialda thing I was a bit unsure about since it was the old doctor's idea and the new one just went along with it saying "well, it's fewer pills..." That is one great thing that came out of covid--telehealth!
Posted 6/15/2021 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
I was forced to switch from Asacol to Lialda when the manufacturer Warner Chilcott stopped making Asacol and started making Delzicol in an unethical scheme to avoid generic competition, and my insurer refused to play along and wouldn't cover Delzicol.

But I had very positive results switching to Lialda. I don't think I've had any flares in the 5-6 years since I switched. Also you can get generic Lialda comparatively very cheap with a) your insurer hopefully having a low generic-drug copay - mine was $30/month until they dropped this plan, b) buying it without insurance with a GoodRX coupon ($1.45/pill), or c) buying it overseas through a pharmacychecker.com referral service. ($.79/pill)
Posted 6/15/2021 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. Yeah, they gave me the generic Lialda. The copay was about $7. The pills are just so huge. P.S. I remember the Asacol to Delzicol scheme. That really ticked me off.
Posted 7/22/2021 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sara. At the beginning of my journey in 2019, I was started on mesalamine enemas. Could not hold them in and no help. In April 2021, a different GI started me on Lialda. No help. Then switched to Balsalazide. No help. I realized my case was not got going to be helped with good old Mesalamine type meds which are probably very effective for mild to moderate UC. Unfortunately I have severe panColitis, and it has been shown I need way more than mesalamine. At your stage of the game, your case sounds more than moderate, so I (although not a GI) would guess you are not going to see any benefit from making the med switch. Like me, you most likely need more powerful meds. Best of luck.
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