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Flaring again or Mesalamine intolerance?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/19/2013 7:55 AM (GMT 0)
How do I know if I am flaring again, or if I have an intolerance to my new mesalamine (Mezavant 2.4g per day)?

I was doing great on Pentassa, then my new GI want to do a fresh Colonoscopy on me. He could see some inflammation which he said was the cause of my weight loss / inability to gain weight, so he put me on 40g of Pred on a 6 week taper + changed my Pentassa for Mezavant. 

I came off the Pred taper last week, and have had flare sypmtoms ever since (3-4 BM's per day, diarrhea, cramps etc..).

Is this a flare, or could it be side effects of the Mezavant, or withdrawal symptoms from the Pred?

Why are Mesalamine side effects described the same as UC symptoms? Do they have the same cause and effect? Is Mesalamine side effect diarrhea, the same as UC diarrhea? i.e inflamed Colon cannot absorb water?

All very confusing and frustrating, especially as I was doing so well on Pentassa before the new GI shook it all up.

Thanks for any advice.

Posted 8/19/2013 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have always been a believer in "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Sounds like your new GI tried fixing something that wasn't broken. I guess his heart was in the right place but his new gameplan obviously didn't work. I would switch back to Pentasa.
Posted 8/19/2013 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
and get on rectal meds as well.

q
Posted 8/20/2013 8:42 AM (GMT 0)
So, how do I know if I have a genuine intolerance to the Mezavant?  Or, should I just tough it out while my body gets used to the new drug, and coming of the Pred?  I will certainly ask about switching back to Pentassa, as I had no problems with this.  As for rectals, both my past and present GI deemed it not necessary when I asked about it.

I think "if it aint broke don't fix it" is good, and I will remember this next time a Dr is foisting more drugs on me..

Thank you..

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