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Switched to Pentasa

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/28/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
I waited until I got back from camping before switching from Colazal to Pentasa just in case it caused any issues. I didn't want to be running to the outhouse every 5 minutes! Lol

But I'm now on day 2 and I'm starting to have urgency, some cramping and more liquidy D. I know that when I switched from Asacol to Colazal I had an increase in symptoms for about 2 weeks. Should I wait to see if this settles down before calling my GI?
Posted 7/28/2013 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm wondering why gastro put you on Pentasa if you don't have a history of pancolitis-- because it's mainly a right-side inflammation treatment. ("If it ain't broke, don't fix it!") You'll have to gauge whether the new symptoms warrant a call to him based on your past experience, but I know that this is a bummer, especially if you felt well during camping. BTW, it's soooooooo good to have you back on the forum; when you're away there is definitely something major missing here! / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal) ***P.S. I do remember that gastro thought you should get off Colazal.
Posted 7/28/2013 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with OH about having you back! I hope you had a fun time camping...good idea to start the Pentasa now instead of before.

What dosage are you doing?

I think you should call the GI and say you're back to diarrhea, just like you had before on the Asacol.

Why did he want to switch you? I forget...

I suggest you push to go back to Colazal...but I agree with Old Hat...you've been doing fine on it.

q
Posted 7/28/2013 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
But I wasn't doing fine on Colazal, hence the change. Colazal was causing me the same issues at full dose, so I brought it down to 6 a day instead of 9. But my GI says that I'm not getting the proper therapeutic dosing that way. That's why he prescribed me Pentasa. Right now my dose is 4 in the morning and 4 at night, however I am starting slow and taking 2 in the am and 2 in the pm.

Btw, I missed all of you guys as well! I was going thru HW withdrawals! Lol
Posted 7/28/2013 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Right...down to 6 Colazal, not remembering that fact since your UC was doing good because of the Remi.

I think you're not so good with any 5ASA...especially with the lower dosage of the 2 and 2 Pentasa so far. But, I'd say give it a few days, and if it gets worse, for sure give the doc a call.

Let us know how tomorrow goes.
q
Posted 7/29/2013 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Nope....it's a no go for Pentasa. I am calling my GI today. I ended up going to the bathroom with painful urgency, white knucklers (because of my hemmies) and pure liquid about 15 times yesterday. I didn't take the nighttime dose last night and my gut feels a little better this morning, it's just a little "achy".
Posted 7/29/2013 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
:(

I hope you bounce back quickly!
Posted 7/29/2013 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'd say you've proven that quite nicely.
Hope it's short-lived and that you can either get back on Colazal or drop any 5ASA completely.

Can you do something like methotrexate with the Remi?  (I have a friend who uses both, but she has CD.


q

Posted 7/30/2013 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
Soooooooo sorry that happened to you. I think your gastro was wrong to Rx Pentasa, though, because from what I've heard about it, it has very specific uses for ACTIVE inflammation in CD & UC, also for pouchitis, not for UC maintenance. / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 7/30/2013 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
My GI tried to get me on Apriso but my insurance wouldn't cover it unless I tried Pentasa first. He even wrote an appeal letter to the insurance company.
Posted 7/30/2013 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Another glowing example of insurance companies' questionable priorities! (I'm being polite.) O.K., now your gastro has justification for RXing Apriso ... it's so outrageous that you have to suffer G/I distress AGAIN to get the appropriate 5-ASA covered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! / Old Hat (32 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
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