Canunks!: Which 5ASA to take?

Imuran gone. Waiting on LDN. And I'd rather drink lye than go on Remi or Hum. Too many side effects. Too many increased risks.

So currently I've been med-free since August 1. I have until the end of month until Imuran fully gets out of my system. I was already in a mild flare when he took me off and have stayed that way since.

I have very loose stools - in pieces-, pain and cramping before and during a movement. Only once or twice a day. No blood, no mucus. I've also had periodic constipation days that last about 4 days, give or take.


The last time I tried a Salofalk and that made me feel worse - more cramping, more movements, more blood. And I was only on 1000mg. So what other options for a Canuck? I have left-sided UC. Last scope was December 2011 - zero inflammation. That's changed now.

I totally agree with starting the hydrocort enemas and cortifoam.  I use both when I feel symptoms coming on and usually they work pretty quick.  Cortifoam during the day and enema at night. 

I'm in Ontario as well, not sure if you've tried BIO_K PLUS probiotic, I get it at Zehrs, Superstore or health food store and it is amazing.  Its fermented milk(wont bother you if your lactose intolerant)  and comes in many flavours and its about $40 for 12 containers but it works to firm up the stools and put the good bacteria back in the colon.  i use it daily but when flaring 2x a day. Each container has 50billion bacteria.

I was wondering about Bio-K. I see it in the grocery store. I didn't know it was milk based so thanks for that info. I've developed problems with dairy though. Do you know ho long they let this product ferment? Does it say lactose free or anything? What kind of things did you notice that it helped?

I just want to get this right before I see him today. Granules are better, correct? Are the meds you mentioned above have that? Or is that even available in Canada?

Start with enemas to get rid of this mild flare then go to supp afterwards?

Post Edited (Sibby) : 8/27/2012 9:47:41 AM (GMT-6)

no granules in Canada
I would disagree that granules are better than pills or capsules.  It depends on where and how they release.   They all start to release either in the start of the ileum, the terminal ileum or the start of the colon.  The medication eventually makes its way down the colon...but wouldn't be efficient to treat the rectum since no medication orally would sit there.

In conjunction with whatever oral....Enemas and supps or enemas between supps when tapering and then to supps if you don't mind using them.

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Do the search on Dipentum. It's a different 5ASA that might agree with you if you're wanting to change/add orals.

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