Salofalk/mesalamine side effects??

Hi! Some of you might remember that I posted about my management of UC without meds (mostly with diet and supplements for a year since diagnosis). Up until few weeks ago I was doing very good with what can generally be cosidered a diet restricted of animal proteins.

Unfortunately due to huge stressful family event last week I am now into a flare that is the worst I've ever seen in my life. Though I feel the downslide started already about week before this when I tried to introduce some animal protein into my diet (salmon).

So after few days of stress that culminated with huge stress on Saturday I developed a bloody diarrhea so bad that I was going to the toilet for at least 7-8 times on a night from Saturday to Sunday. All the times I was passing just liquid with mucus and a lot of blood with blood clots. Sunday morning I called my GI (she's family friend) and she told me to go on 4000 mg of Salofalk a day (though she said that at this point most of the patients go to the hospital).

So on Sunday I took Salofalk meds for the first time. I did not manage to take 4 grams but only 3x500 mg + Asacol supp. After I took Salofalk I started to have strange abdominal pain, not very strong, but uncomfortable already few hours later. I took another 500 mg this morning and another Asacol supp. Today morning additionally to belly pain and bloating I developed a stiff neck, dizziness, low-grade fever (37°C / 99°F) and my urine has turned into quite yellowish. I told this to my GI but she didn't say much about this, just said though these are possible side effects of mesalamine she did think it's something else like virus infection (my kids have some flu right now and I'm also sneezing right now).

So now I don't know what to do -- should I limit my meds to supp. only? Should I push with tablets though I feel they make me dizzy and bloated? Has anyone experienced similar effects? Can Salofalk/mesalamine make me more prone to infections? Has anyone some suggestions how to stop bleeding?

Are you drinking enough and getting some rest? If it were me at this point I think I'd be going to the hospital, with the fever and so on it doesn't sound like great news.

I'm curious, do you have any anxieties/aversion to taking medications as a generalization?

If you do then what you're describing almost sounds like a nocebo effect. It's the opposite of the placebo effect, anticipating a bad reaction from a medication and therefore experiencing one. It can feel real, much like a placebo effect can.

iPoop said...
I'm curious, do you have any anxietie/aversion to taking medications as a generalization?

Well I wouldn't say it's aversion. It's just that since my last experience with antibiotics and some other drugs 5-6 years ago I came to conclusion that most times the side effects are not worth it and usually the problem can be resolved quite good with natural supplements. I did neglect mesalamine so far since I read all the possible side effects but since I didn't have any other option I went with it hoping it will be OK.

Regarding c.diff, salmonella test etc. I haven't done that yet but it's scheduled for tomorrow since my GI wants me to try corticosteroid enemas.