Oral Mesalamine

You’ve never taken oral mesalamine??? If not, that’s weird as it’s usually the first med prescribed. It didn’t help me any or much, but others have used it for years as their first and only med.

I have taken years ago. I asked for it today. Figure it can’t hurt. They said to use the enemas that should help. My referring GI said that to me too. The specialist has never offered it to me. Said it would never get down far enough to do anything.

Quincy
It’s not in my signature because I just started them a week ago. I called and asked about the oral. I was told to wait until the blood test next week and the infusion. I guess that means no.
I’ll change my signature

Faith

Sara
I guess I’ll wait till next week. If you ask and they don’t give it to you what do you do?

I can be very persuasive if they don't give me what I want (and what seems like a reasonable request to me...). I guess I'd just say something like, "I've been sick for so long now and I know you said you don't think this will likely help, but could I just try the mesalamine, at least temporarily, since it is a safe medication, just so I know I've exhausted all my options at this point?" If they say no again, I would probably ask if there is some reason you can't at least try it for a month or two. Maybe mention that you have heard of a lot of other UC patients who have been on it for many years in combination with biologics. Say you respect their opinion and expertise (suck up a little) but are desperate to feel better and would just like to try it.

If you have pancolitis, it would make sense to be on both oral and rectal. The enemas might still work though. Let me know how it goes.

I agree to be "persuasive". 😁
q

Memorized! Not saying I can repeat it lol
FlowersGal I see in your meds you take Aimovig for migraines. My neurologist said it causes in some patients constipation. He gave me Emgality instead. I did the loading dose and one after. I stopped taking it because I was a little nervous taking so many meds and I was taking Entyvio at the time.
My question is does it cause constipation for you? I know there are new ones out there. Just curious!
Thanks,
Faith

Sara , I should be used to suffering. The accident screwed me physically and mentally. Pelvic fracture was no walk in the park.
Maybe you can call my doctor and pretend you’re me lol! We can wait until after the next infusion 😬
You need a New York accent though. You can practice we have time lol

Faith😊

Sorry to hear that you don’t feel supported by your physicians … persuasiveness sounds like a good plan - hope it worked for you - unless the docs can justify why they won’t prescribe it. We have to be our own advocates when it comes to our care and yes, Mesalamine, has minimal side effects and should be the first line of treatment … I’ve been on mesalamine for 30+ years and I, thankfully, respond very well to it. The only disadvantage of it is that many American insurers stopped allowing it as a first line of treatment due to its exorbitant costs. I hope it continues to work for me forever. I suppose if your gi docs can’t justify not prescribing it and refuse to let you try - you may want to seek treatment with another gastroenterologist … good luck

FlowersGal
When I’m in remission I tend to be more on the constipation side. With most of these biologics especially Entyvio I had migraines a few time a week . I’d wake up about 4am with them. Neurologist knew I was dealing with this Colitis crap and decided to wait on trying something new. Should have stayed on the Emgality. It’s just like the Aimovig but doesn’t cause constipation. Nervous nelly here decided to stop even though it helped. When I get this under control I’ll go back to neurologist. Been popping those Zolmitriptan quite often. Takes about 45 min to kick in.

Faith

I know what you mean!
I used to take imitrex . The one I’m taking is supposed to work faster. It doesn’t!
Almost all the biologics I’ve taken give me migraines. I get them without the aura.

Only side effect with mesalamine is the cost!

As an aside, I see several fellow members take propanolol for anxiety. Is that a heart med or what?
Does it help with anxiety?

My dr wants me off Xanax!