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ASACOL and our kidneys???

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/3/2009 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone experienced and kidney problems or complications due to prolonged use of ASACOL?

 

Posted 4/3/2009 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
YES! Asacol damaged a friend's kidneys to a point were they only function at 40% I think.
Posted 4/3/2009 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Really!!!!!Im sooo worried at the moment, ive been have continous urine infections since october, i had a scan and results show a slightly enlarged kidney.. The doctor said more tests need to be done as it maybe obstrcuted!Im so worried, Ive had so much bad new this year i cant take no more... Do you think in it wise to stop the tablets cold turkey? What has your friend had to do?
Posted 4/3/2009 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Really!!!!!Im sooo worried at the moment, ive been have continous urine infections since october, i had a scan and results show a slightly enlarged kidney.. The doctor said more tests need to be done as it maybe obstrcuted!Im so worried, Ive had so much bad new this year i cant take no more... Do you think in it wise to stop the tablets cold turkey? What has your friend had to do?
Posted 4/3/2009 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
It took him awhile to convince the doc that there was a problem.. I would call your GI and see if you can switch to something else, like Colazal or one of the other drugs.
Posted 4/3/2009 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
I've just spoken to my nurse and she said my blood test results show normal levels of creatine and protien... Im confused at what to think or do!
How long was your friend on the tabs for?I've been using them for abt 5 yrs now, i guess im going to have to wait for further tests to get a definate answer...
Posted 4/3/2009 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on Asacol for 10 years and have had no problems with my kidneys.
Posted 4/3/2009 5:36 PM (GMT 0)

gaff said...
It took him awhile to convince the doc that there was a problem.. I would call your GI and see if you can switch to something else, like Colazal or one of the other drugs.

Colazal may also cause kidney damage. That's why I decided not to take maintenance drugs. The possible side effects of long-term use are worse than getting the colon taken out.
Posted 4/3/2009 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
     Long term use of these drugs scares me too, but, I went off the Colazal and 6MP twice in the past and twice I suffered flares from doing so.
Posted 4/3/2009 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Have you been having a lot of diarrhea lately? That could be why you've had so much trouble with UTIs...all that extra pooping results in a lot more bacteria floating around "down there," which can increase your chances of getting a UTI. Also, on a very personal note, has anything changed in your sex life? I had recurrent UTIs so my doctor finally wrote me an Rx for macrobid to take one pill after sex. I've not had one UTI since starting that.
Posted 4/3/2009 10:03 PM (GMT 0)

I have had diarrhea lately, but no more than i've had in the past. I've had four infections in the space of 6 months which is why i was issued with a scan, and one of my kidneys showed to be slightly enlarged, which worries me. As there may be a possibility it is obstructed which is why im due for more tests.

As for my sex life its not changed i've been with the same partner etc.

Is it not risky to take antibiotics everytime you have sex?

I just want answers and this all to stop! :(

Posted 4/3/2009 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Well, my problems with UTIs started long before I had problems with UC, so at that point, it was much more risky for me to keep getting UTIs (and therefore keep being put on antibiotics for 10 days to 2 weeks) than it would be to take one pill each time. I haven't discussed it with my GI, but I probably should. I don't think that one pill would cause me too many problems, though, because I do take a probiotic each day and I don't think my UC started as a result of a bacterial imbalance.
Posted 4/3/2009 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
I always thought it was prednisone that could cause kidney problems, so I don't know how you would know what caused what.

Sometimes I would worry back pain was a kidney problem and would get tested ----but always test clean, fortunately.
Posted 4/3/2009 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Peety, Asacol can be hard on the kidneys. My sis is a pediatric nephrologist (kidney specialist) and she said that I need to avoid NSAID pain releivers as much as possible, especially when I'm in a flare and possibly a bit dehydrated, as they are also tough on the kidneys.
Posted 4/3/2009 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know whether or not there is a connection or if it was just a coincidence, but I never had a bladder infection until after I had taken Colazal and Asacol.

I would rather get my colon taken out then take the chance of messing up my kidneys.
Posted 4/4/2009 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
What can I say, asacol has its side effects and every medicine will hurt certain individuals to a certain extent!

The fact is that it may or may not... try to maintain a healthy life style and hope for the best, what else can we do
Posted 4/4/2009 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
I have a cyst in my right kidney, and also have chronic kidney stones....not sure its related to Asacol....I have been on and off Asacol for many years. My GI doesnt think it is related. Currently I am having one of my stones analyzed for its cause...
Posted 4/4/2009 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help protect your kidneys. It seems from the lab results that you're not leaking protein-- that's a condition to be avoided. Another member here, Beth75, has posted in the past about her need for treatment of major kidney complications, in case you want to look up her comments. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
Posted 4/4/2009 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys and gals, hopefully i get the tests done soon to set things straight!

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