Lialda - Side effects

Hello all! I'm new to this forum. I was diagnosed with micro-UC in 2003. My flare ups are probably not nearly as bad as what most of you folks experience. I have a GI and have been on sulfasalazine for roughly two years, but have been incredibly bad about taking my meds. I'm not sure what is considered a flare up, but having blood in my stool and regular diarrhea has been a part of my life. I personally consider a flare up for myself when I have abdominal crapming, extreme fatigue, and other symptoms. My last big flare up was a little over year ago when it was so bad I had to go to the ER. They diagnosed me with diverticulitis, but my GI later dismissed that. Now, I am going through a pretty bad flareup -- shortness of breath, incredibly painful abdominal pains (mostly left side, but a little on the right as well), etc. So I went to my GI and he put me on Lialda. I was pretty excited to get a med that i only had to take once a day. He has me taking 4 pills a day. I'm on my second day. So far it's incredibly hard for me to determine if the symptoms I am having now are caused by the Lialda or if the UC is just getting worse. These symptoms include what appears to be more intense cramping/abdominal pains, more shortness of breath, feeling nauseous, feeling feverish, and most importantly intense constipation. I'm going to call my GI first thing in the AM tomorrow. I figured while I can't sleep I might as well see if other folks have had similar experiences.

Also, everything i have read says stress can't cause UC, but I can't help but to feel like it's intensely related. Everytime I have a flareup I am usually going through some serious stress. Is it possible for stress to bring UC out of remission?

Thanks!

-Dan

Hi Dan,

I also take 4 Lialda a day. I'm currently tapering off of prednisone (I'm almost down to 20 mg). The only side effect I have from the Lialda (or possibly the prednisone) is severe constipation. I also have heartburn and bloating. I told my GI, but she just said I probably have a case of IBS now (she's not the best GI around). She did say to take Colace stool softeners or Miralax, in addition to magnesium suppplements for the constipation. I'm new to UC treatment so I maybe other members have more knowledge about Lialda. I have to say that my meds (prednisone and Lialda) worked immediately. I was symptom free in 7 days and continue be symptom free 6 weeks later. Hope this helps.

EllieKate
4 Lialda/day
30 mg Prednisone
SCD Diet 2 months
Assorted probiotics 7/day
Assorted vitamins

While stress doesn't CAUSE UC, it certainly does aggravate it if you have it, and yes, it can bring on flares, you're not imagining things. I'd give the Lialda a few more days then call your GI if your symptoms are still not improving.

What are you eating now? Stay away from "gassy" veggies, like broccoli, cabbage, peppers. Rice is usually "safe" for most of us, seafood, especially salmon, is a good protein source, most find avocado soothing. Everybody finds different things help or hinder, but those are almost universal. Avoid fibrous veggies, seeds, popcorn, that sort of stuff. Most people find coffee, decaf or regular, not manageable when in a flare.
Meesh

l have been on 3 Lialda a day since summer of 2006, I thought for a very long time that it was the best thing ever happened. So few pills, so little medicine to think of and remember. but suddenly the late fall 2008, sever chest muscle pain, shoulder pain, elbows and hands constantly hurting. i felt destroyed. not only do I have the UC but now it was like my body hated me in every way. i could not even lift a tetra of juice or milk out of the refrigerator. very well, when i finally told my doctor that this was going on, he told me this is a side effect of Lialda. after 3 days on replacement medicine, I'm like new again. happy happy happy pain free!

Sulfasalazine 3 tabs x 2 day, D-vitamin, calcium

I was on Lialda the past year and it worked GREAT for me. Unfortunately, my liver enzymes have been creeping up over the last several months and a liver biopsy showed inflammation. My GI thinks it is PSC. But when I mentioned the lialda and we looked up my history, he goes lets change your medication. So I am on Asacol HD 2 @ 3x Daily and Rowasa enemas Nightly. Doctor is leaving the DX as PSC while we keep an eye on it.

I've been on Lialda for over 2 years and don't have an side effects. When I was on 4 pills though I didn't take them all at once. Two in am and two in pm and always after eating if you feel sick from it.