Question about Asacol

I have tried Asacol the first time I was diagnosed.  The flare I was having became about 10 times worse.  My GI at the time said sometimes that happens with Asacol and moved me to Entocort.  Now my current GI suggest I give it another try as a maintenance drug.  I have been taking it for about a week.  I wasn't flaring when I started, but it seems like every day I am a little worse.  D more frequently, just hurting and miserable....but no blood.  Anyway, yesterday, I also had a couple of serious dizzy spells.  One of the times frightened me badly as I was holding my five month old grandbaby at the time and the world started to spin and go black.  Could this be from the Asacol?  Anyone have anything like this happen?  If it is a reaction to the Asacol, what are my other options for maintenance meds?

yes, some people are verrrry sensitive to salicylate meds and dizziness can be a symptom.

You should also try rectal meds...maybe that will be less of side effects, or you can try the steroid topical rectal meds as well.

Since your UC is nonspecific, you're in limbo. Did the docs test you for microscopic colitis?

Your dizziness could also be caused by low iron, low b12, low vitamin D, thyroid problems, low blood sugar, etc.....

You could also have a vestibular virus or a condition called BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)...have you seen an ENT?


It's definitely best to pursue other avenues as well....but yes, it could also be the asacol, but rather than saying it's only the asacol, try to dig a bit deeper.

Keep us posted as to how you're doing.

quincy

Yep Asacol gave me side effects and it made things worse after it originally helped me, as if my body could no longer tolerate it.