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Does Asacol cause stomach cramping?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/1/2007 7:55 AM (GMT -6)
Hey guys!

I started feeling better in my intestinal area a few days ago and regaining a little strength. My colonoscopy showed a little inflammation (no ulcers) so the DR started me back on asacol. I am currently having only 1-2 bowel movements early in the morning (not diarrhea, but kind of loose) and that is it. It has been 3 days since I took imodium also. I have been back on asacol for 3 days now and my intestines are starting to hurt. Does it sound like I need to back off of the asacol to maybe 2 a day instead of 6 a day and see how it goes? Thanks!

Posted 11/1/2007 7:59 AM (GMT -6)
The side effects listed for asacol:

Flu-like symptoms, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, weakness, headache, constipation, abdominal/back pain, upset stomach, diarrhea, or gas may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Call your doctor to discuss your symptoms. I wouldn't advise increasing or decreasing prescription meds on your own.

Posted 11/1/2007 8:00 AM (GMT -6)
I had no problem with Asacol the first 6 months I used, then I started having diarrhea and couldn't get rid of it. I stopped the Asacol, and the problem slowly went away. I've tried to use it again a couple of times, but it always causes cramping and diarrhea now.
Posted 11/1/2007 11:34 AM (GMT -6)
Thank you all:)
Posted 11/1/2007 4:59 PM (GMT -6)
I had a quick bad reaction to Asacol. Within a week, I had to discontinue it. My doc put me on Pred and told me to restart the Asacol in five days. When I started it again, immediate cramping and D. He even tried the mesalamine enemas, and those had the same effect. I just can't take it. So you can react immediately or you can develop a reaction over time. Stopping a drug and restarting will show an allergic reaction in full bloom sometimes.
Posted 11/1/2007 9:35 PM (GMT -6)
My old specialist started me on Salofalk (which is the Australian equivalent of Asacol from what I can determine) back in October last year. My colitis got so bad I ended up in hospital by the first week of November.

It has been a fight ever since to try and reign it in. When I was on holidays in Thailand mid this year i ran out and did not start taking it again until I got back to Australia - approx 2.5 weeks. In that time my colitis symptoms got much better. Once i sresumed the Salofalk, my symptoms flared up again (urgency, liquid motions etc, cramps - the usual fun and games).

I spoke to my specialist about this and I stopped talking it in August. My colitis is now better then it has been since mid last year. So not 100% sure, but pretty darned sure that Salofalk can actually be a negative thing when it comes to UC, especially mine.
Posted 11/2/2007 6:07 AM (GMT -6)
Some people just can't tolerate Asacol and I'm one of them. I was on Asacol for 12 years when my body decided it wasn't going to take it anymore. It threw me into such a severe flare that I was miserable so then the doc switched me to Colazal. Luckily I have no reaction to that but it was the same for Rowasa (which is basically Asacol in liquid form) - I get severe gut pain, flu like feeling, massive D etc. So if the Asacol is causing you pain then you can request Colazal to see if this would be a better choice for you.
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