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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/13/2011 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Greetings all,

I have been watching this board from a distance but have finally decided to take the plunge.  I really appreciate all of the responses that I have seen over the months that I have been following you all.  I was diagnosed with UC in 2001 and certainly have had life altering issues, but for the most part was able to get by with proper planning (spontaneity went out the window for sure).  Anyway, about two months ago I started a flare that has really been giving me some serious fits.  Generally I don't eat all day because that is the only thing that will allow me to get through work on a daily basis.  I come home, take the kids to practice and then try to eat around 9.  It has been tough but allows me some piece of mind during the day.  This is by far the worst flare up I have had in 10 years.  My question to you all is this: does anyone use Dipentum anymore?  I read these threads and rarely (if ever) remember hearing Dipentum!  My doctor tells me it is stress and I need to exercise more.  He doesn't get it and I have made an appt (for the first time) with a local GI (the same one that has performed my scopes).  I have been on this Dipentum 1,000 mg per day for pretty much 10 years now and it decided it didn't want to work for me any longer.  Is this a completely outdated medication or is anyone taking it?

Thanks

 

Posted 2/13/2011 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and Welcome! I have never heard of Dipentum but I don't think it is a UC med because I don't see people mentioning it here. Is it OTC?

I am happy you made an appointment to see a GI. You will get proper treatment and get your life back. I used to never eat when I was flaring but eating at 9pm would be too late for me because I'd be up in the middle of the night on the toilet. I used to eat right after work and then I'd be on the toilet before bed and in the morning but at least I could survive the day.

Don't stress, you have a lot of options. It sounds like you may need Asacol or something similar, maybe rectal meds. Maybe you will be fine on just rectal meds depending the location of the inflammation.

Goodluck. When if your appointment?
Posted 2/13/2011 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
a quick google search shows that it is a UC med, part of 5ASA family, but you may be right perhaps it is out-dated??? I don't recall hearing of it before. (what country are you in?) perhaps your GI will recommend something new that may work better. and if you've been reading a bit on here you've probably seen that many of us have great success with mesalamine enemas... might want to ask for some (no harm in trying them right!)

you may also want to do a 'search' on this website (top blue bar) for Dipentum, looks like others have also posted in the past..
Posted 2/13/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Dipentum is similar to colazal. Pretty sure it was around first. With Colazal generic in the USA, I don't think dipentum is used much anymore. Dipentum is labeled for maintenance not induction of remission.

My guess is your new doctor will want to try a newer drug and a higher dosage. I would ask about high dose oral and rectal medication at the same time to get you back on track.

I think dipentum is still used in Europe for maintenance when you can't use sulfasalazine.
Posted 2/13/2011 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Dipentum is for both treatment and can be continued for maintenance...I would think tapered as are the other 5ASA meds.

I would strongly suggest rectal retention enema meds....

Welcome to the forum!

q
Posted 2/13/2011 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
     I was on Colazal, actually the generic form, for ten years.  While it kept my ulcerations confined to the rectum (at least I believe it did), my ulcerative proctitis became stubborn to treat.  After running through all the meds...6MP, Remicade, Humira...I had a total colectomy with end ileostomy last June 28th and never looked back. 
Posted 2/13/2011 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of the responses.  I really appreciate it!  To answer a couple questions, I am in Michigan and dipentum is not an over the counter med.  Thanks for the information on the search feature.  It is amazing what I have learned while reading this board!  I have my appt scheduled for 2-24 and cannot wait.  This flare has definitely pushed me to be much more proactive and involved with my care.  That is something that I have been ignoring but can't ignore any longer.  I wish everyone the best and will make sure to keep writing!  More therapeutic than I thought it would be :-)
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