Asacol Causing D?

I suspect it might be causing the D in my case. I started this flare out with pretty normal bms(blood and mucus), only to have my bms progress into full on D after about a week and a half or so. Now, it's nothing but liquid. I've always suspected the Asacol, even in my last flare.

I know this will be a tough thing to sort out because flares cause D. I've been on the increased dose of Asacol(3x800mg daily) for almost 2 weeks and, my bms have gone from formed to liquid. I'm almost certain there isn't anything in my diet that would be causing the increase in D. My reasoning is that if the Asacol is working, inflammation should be decreasing, and the D should also decrease(if only slightly) - not increase.

If it is the Asacol, how likely is it that the D will pass with time as my body adjusts to the increase in dosage?
The only way I know to test this theory is to stop taking the Asacol and see if there are any changes in my bms.

Not sure what to do. Opinions on which course I should take would be very helpful - Stop taking the Asacol and see if the D decreases, or wait it out and see if I adjust?

I think for some people mesalamine can induce diarrhea. It would make sense that it's dose related, but I suspect it's a basic intolerance. If you read the potential side effects given to you with the prescription, you will see that diarrhea is listed as one of the more common ones.

Asacol and all 5ASA's, especially oral, caused me liquid D, cramps, and increased pain.

sherbear46 said...
When I take the maximum dose of Lialda when I'm flaring it helps with flare symptoms but my stool tends to be more mushy but not full blown D. Once I drop back down on the dosage the stools firm up.

Does your Doc instruct you to drop the dosage once the flare is under control or do you do it own your own? When I saw my Doc and was in full remission (4 months), he said I wasn't ready to drop down to maintenance yet(which I was already on but chose not to tell him).

This seems to be exactly my case, from what I can tell. My last flare ended by my dropping the Asacol dose to 400mg 3x daily (w/o telling my doc). As soon as I dropped the dose I went into remission. I continued taking 400x3 until this recent flare(only telling the doc when I recently saw him). I'm starting to really believe it is causing the D, which is what I would like to avoid.

quincy said...
not making sense as of yet since you're not rectally treated.

I've had flares that were pure diarrhea, on Asacol, but only on maintenance dosage of once a week enemas. Yes, upping the enemas to nightly helped my flare.

You should also be tested for any invaders.

q

Since my symptoms are getting better, enough for me to get out of the house at least, I will be calling a new Doc Monday to see if I can be seen.

Not sure what you mean by invaders?

tommy,

I had the same reaction to the mesalamines as Probiotic:

caused me liquid D, cramps, and increased pain.

 

 

Have you given any thought to trying some natural alternatives?