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Questions about Asacol

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/9/2007 12:01 PM (GMT -8)
I was wondering if anyone knows how you can tell if your alergic to Asacol.  Im in a really bad flare right now and am taking 9 Asacol a day.  It seems like my stomache is hurting alot more now, im having more diarrhea(about 10 times a day) and the bleeding is gettng worse.  Ive asked 4 different gi's in the past 10 years to please change me from Asacol because of these symptoms and they just want to give me prednisone and send me on my way.  I can honestly say in my 20 years of having uc this is my worst flare ever! I get so sick from prednisone that i refuse to take it but the gi's say asacol and prednisone are my only options.My md took me off work for this whole month because of the urgency and diarrhea.As soon as i eat anything im running to the toliet. Im 41 years old and im beginning to feel like im not ever gonna be well again.
Posted 11/9/2007 12:40 PM (GMT -8)

hey butterfly,

I've taken asacol before and it gave me the same problem (increased diarrhea), if you read up on the side effects one of the first listed is diarrhea.  Does'nt make sense does it?  I would ask your doctor if you can switch to something like colozol.  I believe it is from the same family of meds.  hope this helps.

Posted 11/9/2007 1:16 PM (GMT -8)
How are you doing on the remicade infusions? Do you go places? Im like a prisoner in my own home because of this flare. I may have to go on disability if i dont get better. What do you think about surgery?
Posted 11/9/2007 1:36 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Butterfly. I'm curious why your doctor wouldn't agree to trying a different 5-ASA drug. There are a bunch of other similiar drugs and they all seem to work differently. I was on asacol for a while but I also felt that it didn't help me. I sometimes suspected that it made me worse.

I really don't understand why doctors would tell you that asacol and pred are the only choices. We can all see from the posts here that there are ton of different drug combinations. And that for bleeding, rectal meds are (in my opinion and others here) a far better way to stop bleeding than long-term pred use.

Do you have a good General Practioner or Internist you can see? Maybe someone else will work with you better to find the right drug combination.

about Surgery -- Until I've exhausted every drug possibility and alternative medicine choice and found that they don't work for me, I wouldn't do it. It seems like it would be a lot easier to try something like Colazal pills and Rowasa enemas for a month than to get surgery.

I'm sorry in the midst of a flare. I know that feeling that it might not get better. But it will. Supportive medical care would be the first best step. I hope you can find it soon. :)
Posted 11/9/2007 2:15 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Julie70
Thanks for the encouragement. Im furious that my drs wont try another med. I just spoke with my new gi's assistant and she talked to the dr and hes supposed to call me something in. I swear my flare has worsened terribly since the asacol. I wonder how people find out they are allergic to it. I dont have much faith left in medicene. I got so sick from prednisone before and now this with the asacol. My mds trying to get me into a specialist in ucla and they are supposed to be the best. Theres times i feel like im gonna die, and it gets so scary. It helps knowing you guys are here and have been through it too!
Posted 11/9/2007 4:37 PM (GMT -8)
You didn't say if you have pancolitis or more limited UC inflammation-- so I just want to add that the steroid retention enemas, either budesonide or hydrocortisone, can be a big help in subduing left-sided flares. They usually bring fast relief from D w/o the many side effects of Pred as long as you can taper off them within a few months. If Asacol seems to be making you worse, the Q is whether you are allergic to mesalamine or to the bonding agent. If allergic to mesaalamine, you could not tolerate Colazal or Lialda, either. They do have different bonding agents than Asacol, though-- so many UC patients do better on them for that reason. Good luck with finding a new gastro at UCLA-- that sounds like a wise way to proceed. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily; seem to be back in remission)
Posted 11/9/2007 6:01 PM (GMT -8)
I took asacol for several years myself,  and when I did have flare ups   they were  BAD!     I've been on Colazal now for almost a year and have had one flare up since   and its not been near as bad as my normal flare ups while I was on Asacol.......have you looked into rowasa  enemas??? They've also helped me... 

Posted 11/9/2007 9:17 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks guys. I have had uc for 20 years and this is the longest and worst flare ever. I have mesalamine enemas that ive been afraid to use but think i will tonight. My new gi was supposed to call me in Lialda but the pharmacy said they never did. Im giving up on asacol. Gonna have to try something else. I gotta get better for my 9 yr old son. Thanks for giving me hope! I was ready to give up!
Posted 11/9/2007 9:57 PM (GMT -8)
I can't tolerate Asacol either. I'm allergic to mesalamine, and i discovered this because I first tried casana supositories which are also mesalamine based and i couldn't take complete breaths while on that medication. Going from a sitting to a standing position had me bent over and wheezing. Then i tried asacol and had terrible cramping from only 1 pill a day! I think that if your GI is not calling in prescriptions and unwilling to let you try something new that you need a new GI. Your dr. is there to help you and if they won't listen to you then you need to find someone that will. Personally Pred is the only drug that works for me and i get no side effects from. Every other drug i've been allergic too. I can't take any of the 5ASAs or any immune suppressiants like 6mp. so steriods seem to be my only option. I didn't like my old GI because they weren't listening to me so I am starting with someone new soon. I suggest you do the same if your GI doesn't start listening to your concerns.
Posted 11/9/2007 10:04 PM (GMT -8)
Ive had uc for 20 years and have been taking asacol off and on for about 7. Ive always gotten worse and would stop taking it but my gi's wouldnt change me to another med. I have problems with the enemas and suppositories too! Well im going on my 4th gi now and he doesnt seem to care either!I was ready to give up but thanks to you guys im ready to fight again and go for gi number 5 if i have to. Its hard to fight when your this sick. Sometimes i feel like im dying. This flare has really taken a toll on me. Im afrain of prednisone cause i had bad side affects years ago.Might have to give it another shot at this point.
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