Delzicol is only thing that works---push through the horrible side effects?!?

Hi everyone,

I have been suffering through a relatively minor flare (1 BM with mucous and intermittent small amts of blood, urgency, sometimes I just sit on the toilet and only white stuff comes out of me so I don't consider that a BM). * pain and fatigue are very high (8/10) despite only 1 real BM.

So here is the deal. I can't tolerate mesalamine side effects over the past few years. I've tried all of them at this point including mesalamine enemas. The only one I haven't tried is Pentasa.

However, when I take 4 delzicol (400mg), all the urgency, blood and pus goes away within 24-48 hours (amazing i know because it's a low dose)! The problem is that it causes severe abdominal pain, acid reflux, irritability and insomnia. My labs and liver/kidney enzymes on Delzicol are normal. The other 5 ASA's have not been nearly as effective (lialda, balsalazide etc) and Delzicol seems to be working.

1) Should I push through this? I have only been able to take it for 2-3 days due to the above.

2) Is there any other mesalamine 400mg most similar to Delzicol that could be an alternative? I responded to asacol for many years consistently. Something even in Canada?

3) Lastly, if i'm sitting on the toilet and only puss comes out of me and a pebble or two, is that considered a BM for the purposes of telling my GI how many times i go?

Thanks!

I just started taking Delzicol today. I was pretty resistant to taking anything at first but decided I'd go for it. Risk of side effects no longer outweigh the risk of losing myself to this disease. Needless to day, as a medical practitioner I've been doing my research.

According to the FDA prescribing information 'eructation' (burping, belching which may include a bit of acid reflux) and abdominal pain were the two most common side effects of Delzicol, reported in a little over 20% of people (though the placebo was 10-20%)

Personally, I've never had any pain with my UC symptoms whatsoever, and after 2 Delzicol pills so far (taken 7 hours apart) I'm feeling some slight twinges of unfamiliar abdominal pain. It doesn't feel like pain in my colon.

As for your question regarding other options, unfortunately I cant help. But I can say happy Valentines Day, I hope you feel better soon and find a better option for treating your symptoms.

I don't know either but all the mesalamine products cause really severe upper GI pain, reflux, burping etc for me.

I checked out the prescription information, and in clinical trials of mesalmine delayed release (incl delzicol), 21% reported abdominal pain (vs. 12% in the placebo condition) and 4% dyspepsia (0% placebo condition).

I know that most tolerate mesalamine so it likely works for 80% of folks or so. I'm definitely sensitive to all of them.

Btw, how did you get Mesalmine DR? I don't think that is available in the US, but only as Delzicol.

Post Edited (Jane974) : 2/14/2017 7:47:57 PM (GMT-7)