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mesalamine question

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/22/2010 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
I've been taking Apriso since I was diagnosed (4/2010) but I don't feel that it's ever made a difference. The only thing that has helped has been Rowasa (2 1/2 weeks now). I'm still in a flare though. What other oral mesalamine do you guys recommend? I have an appt. with the GI next Monday and I'm going to ask her for something else. I've read on Asacol, Asacol HD, and Lialda but don't know which one works best??

 

Thanks for your support.

Posted 6/22/2010 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
I would suggest to start with ASacol....

What's the extent of your UC...how limited or is it throughout?

What exactly are your symptoms?

If your flare is limited at this point, the oral 5aSA won't reach anyway. And if you have mild inflammation above the sigmoid, you'll probably not see the positive effects anyway.

It's great you're having improvement with the Rowasa.

q
Posted 6/22/2010 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Q,
My UC is in my sigmoid. I've been doing ok ever since I started Rowasa (sometimes blood in stool) today was not a good day though. I've had two BM's and about 3 BM's of just musus mixed with some blood. Yesterday was a great day because I didn't see much blood at all until my last BM (very small amount). Prior to Rowasa I had alot more blood in my stool, more BM's a day, no pain, some gas.

 I also tried the steriod enemas and they only increased the blood, so I stopped using them.

Thanks for your help.

Posted 6/22/2010 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
You're welcome.....hang tough. Symptoms of having limited UC are different when they are of varying in degree of inflammation and where....

Your UC would also involve the rectum up to and into the sigmoid...like mine.

It'll take time for the Rowasa to do its thing. It took me almost 2 years to get the hang of using the enemas, tapering, etc.

Hang tough...
q
Posted 6/22/2010 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
How long did you wait till remission? I don't mind the enemas at all. I'm willing to do them without hesitation.
Posted 6/22/2010 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, if your UC is only up to the sigmoid enemas are your BFF! I don't know that you need to switch from Apriso, because the enemas will be your big guns. I guess I'd think of the orals as more of a keeping things low and from heading upwards in your case, But if you want to switch I agree with Q, I think I'd try Asacol. :o)
Posted 6/22/2010 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
It took a few months, but as the years passed and I treated earlier with the enemas it took less time to have relief. As well, my flares are more limited to the rectum rather than up into the sigmoid.....that's where the Asacol came in as well as using the enemas nightly and tapering to maintenance.

q
Posted 6/22/2010 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
I been doing the enemas for almost 4 months starting to worrying about being on them too long but then seem to be helping..
Posted 6/22/2010 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your support. I will ask my doctor about Asacol anyway. I hope I have a better day today.
Posted 6/22/2010 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
I know of a woman who had seen my GI because hers wouldn't prescribe the rectal meds until she BEGGED. She wsn't able to go lower than the every second night and with my GI, she kept on them for a year. He said, there are other options....she responded...this is better. He concluded that it was fine, as long as she was willing.

I don't know how she's doing, however. Oh, I must add she was on the SCD for that period of time...she gave me some cookies and they were yummy!

q
Posted 6/23/2010 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
I still have not been able to go down to every other night though..still doing nightly since march..
Posted 6/23/2010 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
I think that I am going to give them about 4-6 weeks and if I dont see improvement or reach symptom free then I am going to taper them to eventually be done with them. I can't see usuing them eve on maintenance if they are not cutting it for me.
Posted 6/23/2010 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
they are definitely working for me..I know this because I am flaring mildly now but when my doc looked inside he said the bottom looked good..if I wasnt on them I can bet my life he would not have said that..so I will stasy on them till this flare passes.
Posted 6/23/2010 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
kweeks...you're also on 2g enemas and could ask for 4g...that might be what you need.

Don't put a deadline on it yet.

q
Posted 6/23/2010 9:02 PM (GMT 0)
my gi wanted to give me 1g!!!!!!! and that's what he wrote the rx for but the pharmacy informed me that they dont even make 1g anymore so i am to take half an enema each night hahaha.
i just take the whole thing obviously lol.
sorry, feeding baby and one hand typing means no capital letters :)
Posted 6/24/2010 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
interesting your doc is so conservative.

Oh, you're breastfeeding I take it? hormonal changes go along with that too? Could be in part reason for your symptoms.

q
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