During moderate/sever flare-ups I took prednisone orally, in foam suppository as well as mesalamine orally and through suppository. In moderate flare-ups mesalamine orally w/ mesalamine suppositories.
My question is - beyond the general risk that HSV presents - how additionally risky is this for me? It is a possibility that at some point I will have a flare-up that will require immonusuppressive therapy. If I was to contract HSV could my UC symptoms become more severe?
There have been a few cases of liver failure possibly related to the use of mesalamine (the active ingredient in Asacol HD), but I haven't read anything about fatty liver as a side effect.
A fatty liver, it takes between 6 months and 2 years to fully reverse. Dr Sandra Cabot's article "Fatty Liver - What Is Fatty Liver And How To Reverse It?
Her gastroenterologist started her on Mesalamine (4 capsules daily) and later added prednisone 100 mg enemas to try and get the flare-up under control. Things are getting better and she has some of her strength back. There is one puzzling thing that the doctors are not able to pinpoint. This is an intermittent fever that starts in the afternoon and lasts to the night. In the morning the temperature is back to a low 97 degrees fahrenheit and stays stable until afternoon below 98 degrees.
My recent result of biopsy after the colonoscopy indicates epithelial dysplasia. My doctor just advice me to continue taking the mesalamine (Asacol) Do i need an another urgent medication/treatment for dysplasia? What should be my next move?
I have read about a study in which Boswellia was used in conjunction with Mesalamine. My gastroenterologist knows notheing about herbs, but is open to information that I can give her. What is available? Are there any interactions with boswellia and mesalamine that I should be cautious about? Are there any precastions about its use?
I contacted my doctor and his guess was that the powder worked topically in the digestive system and the alcohol is metabolized by the liver and therefore does not work as well. I contacted pharmacies and the drug company themselves, and there is no date know for when it will be available again.
Is anyone else experiencing this? Have any tips, I'm pretty new to this. Or is anyone taking a different medication and getting good results?
Hi there,
I was diagnosed with sigmoidal colitis in 2005, but I reckon that it went unchecked for about 4 years prior to that. I was initially treated with mesalamine (Asacol) but it had no effect. My GI guy then hit me with prednisone and that knocked it down. I have been on Asacol in a prophylactic capacity since (800mg tid). Does it keep me in remission. Maybe, but maybe it is the tremendous quantities of fentanyl, diacetylmorphine and morphine I abused as well for all I know :P.
He was switched from Asacol to Pentasa when his liver enzymes were slightly elevated. He was on a steroid for the first 2 years after he was diagnosed. He hasn't been on a steroid since 2006, when he was diagnosed with Diabetes. The Steroids are more for the flares, the Pentasa is used more as a maintenance drug. He is also on Purinethol, which is chemotherapy agent, to help decrease abnormal growths. Good luck.
What other symptoms are present? Mesalamine or Canasa suppositories works by preventing the production of substances that cause the inflammation of the colon. The usual side effects include diarrhea; dizziness; gas; hair loss; headache; mild stomach discomfort or pain; and nausea. The sour taste could be indirectly related especially if you have other gastrointestinal issues like acid peptic disease or gerd.
She again had colonoscopy and histological examination inferred that it was ulcer. She is being treated with Mesalamine and now she is well. Please check with your doctor.
The periods of remission can last from weeks to years."
***
Springer - Mimics of Ulcerative Colitis...
"Infectious colitides such as Clostridia difficile, hemorrhagic E. coli, Campylobacter, Aeromonas, and Salmonellosis can often present as severe ulcerative colitis. Other infectious pathogens, which also need to be included in the differential diagnoses, include Amebiasis, Shigellosis, Cytomegalovirus, and Rotavirus.
Medication can increase the liver enzymes. Unfortunately that is what my doctor thought for 15 years, when my liver enzymes were slightly elevated, he assumed it was one of my medications. Or...maybe he thought I was drinking and did not say.
Without knowing too much the first thing I would suggest is start drinking water to help your liver function better.
Cut out all processed foods, like lunch meats, frozen dinners, etc.
Try, as much as possible to eat vegetables, fruits, chicken, fish.
I have Crohn's also. I'm pregnant with my second child and have not had a problem either time. However, my doctors did tell me that if you're Crohn's is under control when you get pregnant, it's likely that your condition will stay the same or get better during pregnancy. If you're having a flare up or the disease is not controlled well when you get pregnant it will likely get worse.
In terms of medication I would trust your doctors here.
If it is not effective, then other medications like steroids, mesalamine and bismuth subsalicylate may be tried.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.
- Ratnakar Kini M.D.
Hi Nicky.
I'm sorry about your recent U.C. diagnosis.
According to the mfg:
"The dosage of Mesalamine 500 mg suppositories (Generic Canasa) is one rectal suppository once daily at bedtime.
The suppository should remain inserted for one to three hours or longer, if possible. The normal course of therapy is from three to six weeks depending on symptoms and sigmoidoscopic findings".
So the 30 day supply falls within the recommended duration.
07-2007 - to help fight off inflammation. I've read that prescription drugs were often safe, way beyond the expiration date. Don't have much of it left though.
So without going through the 'hassle' of getting an appointment, trying to get treatment, etc. is there something I can do on my own?
Thank you.
This all occurred after starting a 30 day course of Canasa (Mesalamine) to which I had rash and breathing problems in what seems to have been an allergic reaction and possibly triggered the above problems.
I am now on Claritin (10mg), Lexapro (5mg) and Aciphex which together brought relief to stomach pain within hours.
Cardiologist sees no Eosinophilic infiltration or Loeffler’s.
Repeated Endoscopies show no problems. I am negative for Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis.
They are all different names for Mesalamine. So they should all be the same formula and work the same. I know from experience that sometime the brand works better than generics, but thought I would share this information with everyone.
I have lost ten pounds in the last three days, liver enzymes all elevated, many 2-3 times normal, Alk. Phosph. elevated nearly 4 times normal, and GGTP elevated over 8 times normal. I have pain in the colon with cramping, back pain, and had nausea prior to my ER visit this week.
The bottom line out of all this is that apparently there is sludge and/or stones in the bile ducts. I had my gallbladder removed at the end of April and the liver enzymes crept up starting in June.
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