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Pentasa? / no meds? very confused, HELP!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/5/2007 12:05 PM (GMT -6)
Hello All,

I have a question:  I was diagnosed in April and have been flaring since January.  My GI put me on Asacol, and I had a huge baaaad reaction, I tried cort-enima (Which is the same 5 ASA med) and reacted supper horribly again (you may have read one of my threads that was titled "Asacol intolerance?")

Anyway, My GI said that it's all in my head and that if he gave me a plecibo I may react the same way (needless to say I am currently looking for a new GI)  So he gave me a perscription for pentasa which is the same family of 5 ASA meds, but I am sooooo scared to try it in fear that I will react the same way again.  (And frankly, each of the 3 times that I reacted to the 5 ASA meds, I had to be off work for 1-3 days, and I just can't bear to think about going through the pain and sickness all over again)    So as it stands now I am debating filling this "Pentasa" perscription, I am on absolutly no meds and It may be months before I can see a different GI What do you think I should do???  

Posted 9/5/2007 12:46 PM (GMT -6)

I would first find a new GI that you are comfortable with. I waited almost 2 months to see my GI and I absolutly love her.

Second, I tried asacol and pentasa and asacol worked for me but made me so tired and gave me blisters on my lips, but it worked. I started pentasa and it made me sick with diarreah. Now I'm on Colozal and it's working for me. I have no complaints that are major with it. You have to see what works for you and keep trying. I'm so scared to take medication, but I had to get strong and say my body needs this to get well. I needed help and medication is the only thing that has worked for me. I take Canasa as needed and that helps a lot too with bleeding.

Posted 9/5/2007 1:33 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks for your support! I guess I will "bite the bullet" and try the panasa...Gulp...I'm scared my reaction was sooo gross! violent D, Vomitting and harsh cramping. Has anyone ever tried to ease in to a full dose?

What is Canasa?
Posted 9/5/2007 1:37 PM (GMT -6)
Oh gosh...that's awful! I had an allergic reaction to sulfasalazine. It was not pleasant. If you are concerned you can always call your pharmacist. I believe they can tell you if the same components are in both meds.

Canasa is a rectal suppository. I believe it is an ASA med in suppository form. I'm going to let someone w/ more knowledge chime in w/ better information. You can also do a search on Canasa at the top of the page.

As for the new GI. Do it! I had a miserable one at first and once I switched I finally started getting the care and understanding I needed from off the bat!
Posted 9/6/2007 6:01 AM (GMT -6)
Why not to taper it slowly into your system? Try taking just 1x per day to see if there's a reaction then slowly increase it as you see fit.
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