I thought I posted this, but I can't find it, so maybe I forgot to hit submit.
I am still planning to maintain the strict diet for multiple intolerances, but I am trying to educate myself about the available meds just in case.
Therefore, could anyone tell me the difference between Asacol and colazol? If I understand correctly, these are NSAIDs, right? Since I am almost positive NSAID use (plus susceptibility with the gluten intolerance) caused my MC, it seems I should avoid NSAIDs, not use them to treat.
Entocort seems like the best choice in terms of drugs, and appears to work for many. However, when I read the full potential side effect list on the drug site, I want to faint. What is the usual patient experience of taking Entocort?
Thanks for being here to answer my many questions!
--T
Asacol versus colazol versus Entocort
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi there,
I know nothing about Asacol or colazol so can't help you there but started Entocort on February 17th of this year and found it to be hugely helpful. I went from 13-15 episodes of explosive D to normans after approximately 2.5 weeks of 9mg. a day. I have currently tapered it down to 1-3mg. pill every 4 days. I had minimal side effects-acne breakouts and some difficulty sleeping. My understanding is that this med. stays more in your gut as opposed to Prednisone, which goes all over the body, so that the side effects are minimized. It has given me my life back so the few side effects for me, at least, were more than worth it. Good luck to you. I should mention to that I completely changed my diet as well and am currently DF/GF.
I know nothing about Asacol or colazol so can't help you there but started Entocort on February 17th of this year and found it to be hugely helpful. I went from 13-15 episodes of explosive D to normans after approximately 2.5 weeks of 9mg. a day. I have currently tapered it down to 1-3mg. pill every 4 days. I had minimal side effects-acne breakouts and some difficulty sleeping. My understanding is that this med. stays more in your gut as opposed to Prednisone, which goes all over the body, so that the side effects are minimized. It has given me my life back so the few side effects for me, at least, were more than worth it. Good luck to you. I should mention to that I completely changed my diet as well and am currently DF/GF.
I have been on and off Entocort for nearly five years and haven't noticed any side effects other than osteoporosis (which I had before I began it). Be aware that stopping and restarting it can reduce its effectiveness as time goes on. I read about the immediate successes that people have when they take it and remember that it used to be that way for me, too, and I was eating a wide range of foods at the time. It barely works for me now.
It is a symptom-management tool, not a cure. It's essential to make dietary changes in order to achieve long-term remission without drugs.
Gloria
It is a symptom-management tool, not a cure. It's essential to make dietary changes in order to achieve long-term remission without drugs.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Hi T,
Yes, the 5-ASA drugs are all based on a derivative of salicylic acid, which makes them a form of NSAID, and research shows that anyone who reacts adversely to NSAIDs will also react adversely to the 5-ASA drugs. All of the 5-ASA drugs are based either on mesalamine as the active ingredient, or on a prodrug that is metabolized in the body to produce mesalamine (5-ASA). The active ingredient in Entocort, of course, is budesonide, which is a corticosteroid. I believe you will find the information in my fourth post in the thread at the following link to be helpful:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13643
Also, my first post on page 3 of the thread at the following link explains the differences in the way that the older 5-ASA drugs work (the link will take you to page 3 of the thread).
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... c&start=30
Tex
Yes, the 5-ASA drugs are all based on a derivative of salicylic acid, which makes them a form of NSAID, and research shows that anyone who reacts adversely to NSAIDs will also react adversely to the 5-ASA drugs. All of the 5-ASA drugs are based either on mesalamine as the active ingredient, or on a prodrug that is metabolized in the body to produce mesalamine (5-ASA). The active ingredient in Entocort, of course, is budesonide, which is a corticosteroid. I believe you will find the information in my fourth post in the thread at the following link to be helpful:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=13643
Also, my first post on page 3 of the thread at the following link explains the differences in the way that the older 5-ASA drugs work (the link will take you to page 3 of the thread).
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... c&start=30
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi T.
I was on Ento for 4.5 months and I've been off it now for 4 months. I have CC. GF, DF, SF. Most users on this forum don't seem to have any side effects. I think Astra Z reports 10 percent of users reported side effects. I had dizziness through out my usage and also kind of stomach (bowel spasms) the first two weeks. Several users in the past 6 months have reported dizziness and also the stomach type spasms upon first week or so of use. Several users recently have reported problems sleeping. Interestingly I found I slept really well while on it. Please note that most docs prescribe it for a 3 month usage. History of this forum recommends most are more successful in getting off of it i.e. no relapse with a 4.5 - 6 month usage that has an extremely long, gentle, slow taper off. Also note a small percentage of users and I think this is a very small percent are unable to get off of the drug and maintain at 1 pill or 1/2 pill for a number of years or so. It helps but maintaining your diet regimen is still critical. Brandy
I was on Ento for 4.5 months and I've been off it now for 4 months. I have CC. GF, DF, SF. Most users on this forum don't seem to have any side effects. I think Astra Z reports 10 percent of users reported side effects. I had dizziness through out my usage and also kind of stomach (bowel spasms) the first two weeks. Several users in the past 6 months have reported dizziness and also the stomach type spasms upon first week or so of use. Several users recently have reported problems sleeping. Interestingly I found I slept really well while on it. Please note that most docs prescribe it for a 3 month usage. History of this forum recommends most are more successful in getting off of it i.e. no relapse with a 4.5 - 6 month usage that has an extremely long, gentle, slow taper off. Also note a small percentage of users and I think this is a very small percent are unable to get off of the drug and maintain at 1 pill or 1/2 pill for a number of years or so. It helps but maintaining your diet regimen is still critical. Brandy
I think that you'd be surprised at how many people are still using Entocort more than a year after beginning it. In fact, I suspect that more of us are still on it than have been able to get off of it. Members don't usually report that they are still taking it, but I'm aware of several.Brandy wrote:I think this is a very small percent are unable to get off of the drug and maintain at 1 pill or 1/2 pill for a number of years or so.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Hi Gloria,
I believe you are dead on by the way. There does seem to be a lot of people still on Entocort for awhile. It comes up fairly frequently in discussion. T. this info, I've got to think, is commonly known by the Docs and it has been reported in their GI medical journals but it was not disclosed to me when Doctor prescribed Entocort which kind of bothers me. Brandy
I believe you are dead on by the way. There does seem to be a lot of people still on Entocort for awhile. It comes up fairly frequently in discussion. T. this info, I've got to think, is commonly known by the Docs and it has been reported in their GI medical journals but it was not disclosed to me when Doctor prescribed Entocort which kind of bothers me. Brandy
Sometimes we're lucky and treatments actually work according to plan.
I hope it continues to work well for you.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.