Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

MY GI suggested lowering Balsalazide amount-wait what?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
imagardener2
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 5896
Posted 11/14/2016 5:11 PM (GMT -8)
Annual visit with my GI today where I reported all is the same, no problems. Told him I'd quit Balsalazide from Aug 2015-Aug 2016 but went back to Balsalazide because of skin problems while taking 95% curcumin.

His response was to disregard the curcumin being of benefit and suggest in a roundabout way that I might reduce my Balsalazide from 9/daily. I replied I'd never heard of anyone taking less than 9 daily and he said that was because the medical studies found that amount effective with no studies done on lower amounts. Radical suggestion from a conservative GI, he never wants to hear about how diet mod. is my most important treatment.

I'll think about it, hate to rock the boat. The price of Balsal. has come back down so US price is now cheaper than Canada (Blue Cross may have had some benefit with the price).
profile picture
IamCurious
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 3689
Posted 11/14/2016 6:52 PM (GMT -8)
he said that was because the medical studies found that amount effective with no studies done on lower amounts

So I guess he wants you to be one of the pioneers to see what happens using lower amounts. Is he saying this because you are experiencing some of Balsalazide's side effects? Or afraid that you will suffer from prolonged use of mesalamines such as pancreatitis or something? I guess it wouldn't hurt if you found that a smaller dose is just as effective as 9 pills a day.

What kind of skin problems did the curcumin give you?
profile picture
jujub
Elite Member
Joined : Mar 2003
Posts : 10424
Posted 11/14/2016 11:11 PM (GMT -8)
I decreased mine from 9 a day to 6 (3 capsules twice a day) about ten years ago. The full dose seemed to make my stools much softer, and they're better on the lower dosage.
profile picture
imagardener2
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 5896
Posted 11/15/2016 5:22 AM (GMT -8)
IamCurious said: What kind of skin problems did the curcumin give you?
I started to get serious skin infections from casual scratches (after 7 months on 95% curcumin) and one case there was no scratch involved but blew up into an ER visit a week after going to my primary who gave me an antibiotic that did nothing and my derma doc was not available (weekend). It took IV anti-b's to get it fixed. My last one was just a leg scratch from garden that turned into a deep ulcer and took over a month to heal. Since quitting 95% curcumin my skin is getting back to normal and no infections since.

jujub: thanks for your reply. I've never heard anyone taking a lower dose but will give it a try. I have been taking 4x2 daily because the middle dose always got forgotten in rush of day's business. My main problem in remission is constipation if I eat foods that cause that. Did your GI suggest that to you or did you change your dose on your own? I'm exactly the type to try this, maybe that's why he suggested it.
profile picture
iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16404
Posted 11/15/2016 8:29 AM (GMT -8)
Generally lower doses of a maintenance medication are fine when in a solid remission. You could try lowering the dose if you feel comfortable doing so. There's always risk in lowering a dose that your uc symptoms might return and get worse. As we never truly know the lowest possible dose we truly need to sustain our quality of life. If you do try, do a slow reduction, watch your symptoms closely and don't be afraid to jump back up to the full dose should you see a regression in your QOL.
profile picture
quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 33482
Posted 11/15/2016 8:41 AM (GMT -8)
Taper down slowly.....especially since you have been on it for this long.

Interesting about the curcumin and healing. Good to know.


q
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply


More On Ulcerative Colitis

Prebiotics And Probiotics: A Simple Guide

Prebiotics And Probiotics: A Simple Guide

CBD And Pain Management: Is This Supplement Right For You?

CBD And Pain Management: Is This Supplement Right For You?


HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn
© 1997-2023 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.