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Posted 6/1/2011 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
I am starting a flare and don't take any meds.  Many have been suggested but I don't want to get "hooked" on something that doesn't work that well but makes me sicker when I go off it.  My doc suggested 4 tabs of Apriso but from what I've read Apriso is used for maintenance and not to get out of a flare.  Help I don't know if I should fill it.  I usually control with diet and probiotics.  Anyone have any luck in similar circumstance?  Dede10
Posted 6/1/2011 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Apriso is a form of mesalamine (5-ASA type drug). You would not "get hooked" on 5-ASA med!!!!!!! This is a medicine related to aspirin, an anti-inflammatory. It is the higher order med like steroids or immunosuppressants (6-MP, Imuran) that a patient has to commit to very carefully, monitor continuously, and taper under medical supervision. But you are right about Apriso being designated a "maintenance" med for UC. I wonder if your doctor confused it with Lialda, which is a 5-ASA often prescribed to take once daily when flaring. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/2/2011 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Dede10,

I agree with OldHat: Apriso is a form of mesalamine (5-ASA type drug). You would not "get hooked" on 5-ASA med!!!!!!!

But you could try Canasa suppositories if you wanted to and your doctor would agree of its benefit in your case.

Posted 6/2/2011 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
I couldn't tolerate Lialda.  Thanks for the advice...will ask about the suppositories although I did try some once and they were awful...very painful...can't remember the name.  I'll have to ask the doc about Canasa and see if it's what I took before.  You guys were very helpful!! 
Posted 6/2/2011 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Dede10,

Regarding: ... the suppositories although I did try some once and they were awful...very painful...can't remember the name.

Suppositories shouldn't be very painful, unless you did not use lubricant.

Posted 6/2/2011 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Insertion was not the problem...it gave me shooting pains and I only used a 1/2...it did say that was a possible side affect...and of course I got it!!
Posted 6/2/2011 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Have you been scoped recently? Your doctor should prescribe med on the basis of clinical exam results. The various 5-ASA meds can have different effects, depending on where they disperse in the colon. If you have inflammation on the lower left side only, retention enemas might help you. There is also a retention foam called Cortifoam, which is only 10% steroid and can be very soothing to the rectum; one doesn't risk side effects from it. (Unfortunately, in the U.S. we can't get the mesalamine retention foam that UCers in the UK & Australia sometimes post about here on the forum.) From long experience I would say that it's best to treat a flare early on. If you decide to try Apriso, be sure to drink plenty of water daily; that helps 5-ASA oral med to work better and to minimize possible side effects. Let us know how you're doing. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/2/2011 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Have not been scoped recently but have been in remission for about 10 months.  I'm not due to be scoped for another two years.  The Cortifoam sounds much better to me than the Rowasa that was recommended and that my doctor ordered.  I did start the Apriso today so will give that a chance while I see what my doctor says about the Cortifoam.  Thanks for the input. I've never reached out about this before but wish I had as everyone has been very helpful!
Posted 6/4/2011 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, definitely give 5-ASA med time to work because they are slower-acting than steroids. If your doctor wants you to take Apriso in combination with Rowasa, that does help many members posting on this forum. Best wishes and take good care of yourself. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/4/2011 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Old Hat.  Glad you are in remission and hope I'm back there soon.  Tried the Rowasa last night and it wasn't bad at all...hope it works in a week like the other poster.
Posted 6/10/2011 11:55 AM (GMT 0)
5 days on the Rowasa and I'm much better.  Really appreciate the suggestion as my doctor totally agreed but didn't suggest it first!  Not sure I can blame him as I don't take easily to meds. While I know the Apriso isn't habit forming, would it be better to reduce the amount taken for a few days instead of just stopping it??  Appreciate thoughts!  Dede10
Posted 6/10/2011 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
no, don't reduce the Apriso at this point. Did the doctor suggest you do that?
You need to get your brain going in another direction regarding getting hooked or habit forming to these meds. You have UC...they serve a purpose. Try to do the research as to why you're on them and what they do.

Great you're improving...stay on the Rowasa at least 3 weeks nightly. Keep us posted.

Then you have to have enough refills to start the taper...

q
Posted 6/11/2011 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
No-- Do NOT reduce Apriso!!!!!!!! Fruitgirl has been in remission on it taking 4 capsules daily for quite a while. She may be on vacation now; otherwise she would reply here advising you to stay on it w/o reducing, I'm sure. As Quincy posted above, you should stay with the 5-ASA meds that help you; going off them is a sure way to flare again, and the next flare could require higher-level med. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/11/2011 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
I guess my challenge is that I've been diagnosed with everything from crohns to UC to indeterminate colitis (current diagnosis) so I'm not sure I need to be on meds all the time.  I'll talk with my doc next week and express my concerns but I'm sure like you say above that he'll want me to stay on them.  You have to understand the first doctor (not my current one) tried to put me on the highest course of meds six years ago when he thought I had crohns...thank God I didn't listen to him!!!  The key this time was the Rowasa - within a day of using it I felt much better.  I'd like to just use that when I need to but you make a good point since I don't know if the flares will worsen...they haven't so far and I've probably had this my whole life and I'm in my 50's.
Posted 6/11/2011 7:09 AM (GMT 0)
Live and learn...if you go off them, you may soon realise it's not such a good idea. Just don't go thinking I'll use some, but not that many, but maybe I need them, but I don't want them...blah, blah, blah.

You have an IBD...the meds are pretty much the same. If it's in your colon and your rectum is involved and it's continuous, the common sense approach of 5ASA meds is your best bet. Seems they're working, and you use the rectal meds accordingly, taper once your flare is finished and use as maintenance.

Since you probably had this for a very long time, it may be that it'll take a while for you to recognise your symptoms when flares start and when to up the rectal meds.

Besides, it's strongly suggested that 5ASA meds help with prevention of cancer, and what you want to avoid is a continual slow simmer of inflammation.

But again, the challenge is accepting you need meds if they help you.

q
Posted 6/11/2011 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
Don't mean to hijack this thread but I have a question about Apriso. I've been diagnosed with crohn's colitis and have had a rough two years after a c-diff infection. I'm tapering off Prednisone, currently at 7.5mg, and have been taking Apriso for about three months.  I hope this is not TMI but when I have my morning BM, I notice tiny white balls mixed in.  Does that mean I am not absorbing the Apriso?  I am feeling pretty good, but that is most likely from the Prednisone.  Thanks for any information you can provide.
Posted 6/12/2011 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, Cannynancy-- Apriso is an extended-release med, lots of tiny pellets per capsule-- so I don't think you have to worry about total absorption. Fruitgirl is pretty much the expert here on Apriso; I think she's away right now but you can always try to reach her to ask for advice/info in a separate new post. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/12/2011 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
Dede10-- you might want to read a recent post here by Roundman. He says he was diagnosed decades ago and only had 2 flares wide apart that came under control within a month each time so he did not stay on maintenance med. Then ca. 18 months ago he broke into a terrible flare that he still cannot subdue, also being in his 60s now he has additional concerns about needing to stay on steroid meds for a long time. This gives the rationale for you to use helpful 5-ASAs as maintenance meds. It doesn't matter if the doc now says you have "indeterminate colitis"-- what that means is that your antibody profile (from blood tests) does not differentiate perfectly between Crohn's or UC. It does not mean that you don't need IBD meds! / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 6/12/2011 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Old Hat. Quincy pretty much shook my tree to where I'll stay on the meds...unless my hair falls out! I've tried for so long to stay off the meds and utilize alternative treatments like acupuncture and diet that it's hard to to just give in to the meds as side affects usually derail me. So far Apriso hasn't bothered me and since it is the lesser of the evils I'll stick with it. My doc did say I a low chance for cancer since my last colonoscopy was clean with just some underlying inflammation with biopsy. Thanks for all the advice, it really helps to "talk" with people who understand.
Posted 6/12/2011 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the information, Old Hat. If I successfully get off Prednisone and continue to do well, I will know the Apriso is working. I also started LDN transdermal cream about two weeks ago. I hope that will start kicking in soon. I've been flaring on and off for two years and am so ready to experience a long remission :) I will wait for Fruitgirl to return and aks her about Apriso. I really don't know much about it. I had been on Lialda but it didn't help enough. IBD is so confusing. No one seems to know what will help at any given time.
Posted 6/13/2011 12:14 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Apriso while my UC was active in the rectum only. It's now spread all over. Didn't work to maintain the "use-to-be" healthy part of my colon! The only thing I like about it was not having the side effect as I did with Asacol due to the release formula.
Posted 6/13/2011 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Dede...forgot to add that if the 5ASA meds work for you, your other goal should be to ONLY use them as effectively as possible for as long as you can. For me, that's a forever....so far, it's been over 22 years with continued success. I never want to go on the immunomeds or prednisone.

I've tried to get off meds, it was encouraged to try by my GI...it was a no for me, whereas it's a yes for some others.

Your butt pretty much rules, no matter what you think or want or desire or pray or imagine..etc.

Be grateful you have something to use...I sure am.


The both end approach is really the way to go, and Apriso alone wouldn't deal with rectal inflammation.

q
Posted 12/9/2015 8:26 AM (GMT 0)
I echo Peace & Harmony - I started with just mild proctitis 28 years ago and now have ever worsening symptoms. It is a progressive disease and maintaining remission is absolutely critical! Take the advice and use your maintenance medication - it's hopefully a long life and UC has a very long shelf life and life altering consequences. Please take all the great advice offered here and stay medicated.

Good luck Cx
Posted 12/9/2015 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Apriso will 100% not get you out of a flare. It's a maintance medication. You would need to take that with something stronger or rectal medications. Also, Apriso has a special sugar in it that can actually make your flare worse so be careful!
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