Sue,
Just because you can take one drug and then add another may not mean the second one can't be taken by itself... drugs can interact with each other causing a problem that neither might cause alone... just a thought..
grannyh
Asacol AND Entocort?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
That might work. The amount of the dose matters with neurological issues connected with Entocort, though. IOW, some issues might not be significant enough to be noticeable on a low dose, but may become much more apparent as the dose is increased.Sue wrote:Perhaps a SMALL starting dose and then build myself up, and then slowly take myself off?
What GrannyH mentioned about interactions is on target, by the way. A lot of drugs have adverse enteractions with other drugs. That said, I'm not aware of an interaction with mesalamine-based drugs. Here's a list of drugs known to cause major interactons with Entocort EC:
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ ... eric_only=
Note that all of the anti-TNF drugs are contraindicated, and so are a number of different vaccines.
Here's a list of drugs known to cause moderate interactions:
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ ... eric_only=
these drugs can cause minor interactions:
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ ... eric_only=
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.
Wow.... that's quite an extensive list of drugs known to cause moderate interactions with Entocort...... sheesh!
Thanks so much for posting those links...... I always check for contraindications on anything I take regardless of whether or not the doc says it's safe.
I'll probably call the GI tomorrow and see what he thinks I should do. As luck would have it today I had a fairly decent stomach day and am tempted to think "ok, maybe the Asacol is finally kicking in and I'm on my way to some relief!" Of course, tomorrow may tell a totally different story.
Sue
Thanks so much for posting those links...... I always check for contraindications on anything I take regardless of whether or not the doc says it's safe.
I'll probably call the GI tomorrow and see what he thinks I should do. As luck would have it today I had a fairly decent stomach day and am tempted to think "ok, maybe the Asacol is finally kicking in and I'm on my way to some relief!" Of course, tomorrow may tell a totally different story.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
My appointment with GI was only two days ago. He wants me down to just 1 Entocort per day for the next 30 days and then to stop. I think I have become dependent on it, and I am scared to death to stop. Asacol (which I have never tried) is one of the drugs he might try me on if symptoms are persistent. I have mixed emotions. I want to get off of the Entocort due to visual problems, but I don't want to go back to the starting point. Lomotil and Questran were also mentioned. I can only hope that GF, DF, SF, and pretty much legume free will be enough. I guess I am just sharing here, as I have no idea how things will go. It is trial and error. With all of the diet changes I have lost 10 pounds, and that is good. My eye exam is just 10 days from now. Yeah! I need new glasses!
Just for the record, he wasn't really familiar with Entocort or MRT testing. He was willing to refer me to allergy or nutrition. My guess is that neither department could provide me with as much information as I get from this support group. On a positive note, he did do his homework before entering the exam room. He had already reviewed every test that had been done and was ready to comment on them (and the testing was extensive --- CT scan, colonoscopy, endoscopy, UGI/SBFT and lots of labs).
Pretty much doing a day at a time and figuring out legal foods for each day.
Marion
Just for the record, he wasn't really familiar with Entocort or MRT testing. He was willing to refer me to allergy or nutrition. My guess is that neither department could provide me with as much information as I get from this support group. On a positive note, he did do his homework before entering the exam room. He had already reviewed every test that had been done and was ready to comment on them (and the testing was extensive --- CT scan, colonoscopy, endoscopy, UGI/SBFT and lots of labs).
Pretty much doing a day at a time and figuring out legal foods for each day.
Marion
Sue,
FWIW, here are the major and moderate lists for Asacol/mesalamine:
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ ... eric_only=
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ ... eric_only=
Tex
FWIW, here are the major and moderate lists for Asacol/mesalamine:
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ ... eric_only=
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ ... eric_only=
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.
Thanks, Tex. That first link took me back to an Entocort list but that's OK.... the second link was for Asacol and, O M G...... it would have been easier for them to list the drugs you CAN safely take with Asacol!!!!!!
I guess it's pretty much a crap shoot when taking a new drug....... if it doesn't kill you or make you moderately ill, then it might help you.
Sue
I guess it's pretty much a crap shoot when taking a new drug....... if it doesn't kill you or make you moderately ill, then it might help you.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Hmmmmmm. You're right. Sorry for my carelessness. Here's the correct link:
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ ... eric_only=
Tex
http://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/ ... eric_only=
Yep, all drugs have side effects and interactions (including so-called "natural" products), so we just have to try them and hope for the best.I guess it's pretty much a crap shoot when taking a new drug....... if it doesn't kill you or make you moderately ill, then it might help 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.
Hi Sue,
I've only had this disease 2 years but my friend who's had MC 5 years says sometimes she'll build up an immunity to one drug and then she will switch to another drug until that one also becomes less effective. Myself, I've only taken Entocort and it has not lost it's effectiveness yet.
Cory
I've only had this disease 2 years but my friend who's had MC 5 years says sometimes she'll build up an immunity to one drug and then she will switch to another drug until that one also becomes less effective. Myself, I've only taken Entocort and it has not lost it's effectiveness yet.
Cory
CoryGut
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Tex, thanks for all of that info.
I see that aspirin 81 mg is on the list of things that interact with Asacol. That seems to be the only item on the list that might be a problem for me. I'll have to discuss that issue if that is what they suggest in September.
For now it is still one day at a time. I'd really like my problems to disappear before September (wishful thinking). I'm trying to be very careful with the diet.
Talking about diet, here is an odd observation. In the past 90 days I have had white rice only 9 times. 3 out of the 9 times I had abdominal pain within an hour of eating. Guess that will be off of my list for a few months. I never miss keeping up the food diary in the hopes of figuring things out. It just gets confusing when one time a food is OK, and the next time it is not OK. I will leave it out at least until October, and then challenge it again.
I see that aspirin 81 mg is on the list of things that interact with Asacol. That seems to be the only item on the list that might be a problem for me. I'll have to discuss that issue if that is what they suggest in September.
For now it is still one day at a time. I'd really like my problems to disappear before September (wishful thinking). I'm trying to be very careful with the diet.
Talking about diet, here is an odd observation. In the past 90 days I have had white rice only 9 times. 3 out of the 9 times I had abdominal pain within an hour of eating. Guess that will be off of my list for a few months. I never miss keeping up the food diary in the hopes of figuring things out. It just gets confusing when one time a food is OK, and the next time it is not OK. I will leave it out at least until October, and then challenge it again.
So I called my doc last week to say "OK, I'm not getting any better on Asacol this time.... I guess it's time to try Entocort". Unfortunately he was on vacation but called me back Monday. I told him that I'd like to try ADDING Entocort to my Asacol but he asked me to humor him and try something first: he asked that I completely stop taking the Asacol for a few days and see how my body responds. So I quit taking it Monday night, it's now Friday, and I am absolutely no worse and, I dare say, might even be slightly BETTER. So strange that the med that has kept me so wonderfully regular for 8 years all of a sudden is CAUSING my problems.
I called him today, told him that I am no worse for wear without Asacol and possibly even better, and he didn't seem surprised. He asked if I wanted to give it some more time but I told him that since we all know this disease doesn't miraculously just go away and that I knew "the shi* was going to hit the fan soon" that I'd like to have some Entocort on hand, since the weekend is coming, just in case things turn real bad on me in the next day or two. He agreed, and I'm assuming the prescription is at my pharmacy right now. He did warn me that the price was going to shock me but hopefully after insurance it's not too bad.
So, I will continue to be drug free until the diarrhea becomes unmanageable again, and then I'll start the Entocort.
That's my update, for now.
Sue
I called him today, told him that I am no worse for wear without Asacol and possibly even better, and he didn't seem surprised. He asked if I wanted to give it some more time but I told him that since we all know this disease doesn't miraculously just go away and that I knew "the shi* was going to hit the fan soon" that I'd like to have some Entocort on hand, since the weekend is coming, just in case things turn real bad on me in the next day or two. He agreed, and I'm assuming the prescription is at my pharmacy right now. He did warn me that the price was going to shock me but hopefully after insurance it's not too bad.
So, I will continue to be drug free until the diarrhea becomes unmanageable again, and then I'll start the Entocort.
That's my update, for now.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Hi Sue,
I hope you will go from slightly BETTER to a lot BETTER, even while off of the meds! MC is so frustrating!
I'm just the opposite of you, as I am on the Entocort (almost 5 months now), but will probably be switched to Asacol. I'm not even sure the Entocort works that well anymore, so I'm glad he is taking me off of it at the end of the month. I'm really looking forward to trying a few weeks with NO MEDS. I say that now, but if the situation gets bad, I'll be on the phone asking for the Asacol.
Good luck!
Marion
I hope you will go from slightly BETTER to a lot BETTER, even while off of the meds! MC is so frustrating!
I'm just the opposite of you, as I am on the Entocort (almost 5 months now), but will probably be switched to Asacol. I'm not even sure the Entocort works that well anymore, so I'm glad he is taking me off of it at the end of the month. I'm really looking forward to trying a few weeks with NO MEDS. I say that now, but if the situation gets bad, I'll be on the phone asking for the Asacol.
Good luck!
Marion
Sue,
Good for your doctor.
mesalamine is closely related to NSAIDs, which makes it a source of inflammation for many of us.
Tex
Good for your doctor.
mesalamine is closely related to NSAIDs, which makes it a source of inflammation for many of us.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 Marion.Mim18 wrote:Hi Sue,
I hope you will go from slightly BETTER to a lot BETTER, even while off of the meds! MC is so frustrating!
I'm just the opposite of you, as I am on the Entocort (almost 5 months now), but will probably be switched to Asacol. I'm not even sure the Entocort works that well anymore, so I'm glad he is taking me off of it at the end of the month. I'm really looking forward to trying a few weeks with NO MEDS. I say that now, but if the situation gets bad, I'll be on the phone asking for the Asacol.
Good luck!
Marion
Yes, frustrating is putting it mildly. When I was talking to the doc yesterday and mentioning that I'd like to have the Entocort on hand since I knew things were going to go bad soon, he laughed and told me that I was being very pessimistic. My reply was "I've been fighting with this disease for 8 years now - YOU try walking in those shoes and see how positive YOU feel about trying something new!"
How long have you had colitis? I see you became a member in May but that doesn't mean you haven't been dealing with this for much longer.
Did the Entocort ever work for you?
I'll rustle up some positive attitude on your behalf and hope that Asacol might bring you the relief it did for me a while back. As much as I'd like us all to find a PERMANENT solution to this, even temporary reprieves are gratefully accepted in this journey. It's so sad the way it can completely take over our lives.
I have plans to meet a friend for a few hours today and I'm a nervous wreck about it. I'm leaving the comfort zone of my home and the office and will be on the highway, in a strange store, and then probably in a restaurant for a bit. Terrifying things to someone with colitis!
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Funny that you gave him the "thumbs up". I, too, for the past few weeks, have been impressed with his care. Eight years ago I felt like he didn't know anything about this and was simply reading out of a book to prescribe me a solution. And a few years ago during my yearly check-ins I still felt he knew nothing about this disease and was just relieved that I was doing OK so that he didn't need to do anything except to "see me again in a year".tex wrote:Sue,
Good for your doctor.
Tex
Back in April or May when my remission ended and my flare was really taking over my life, he seemed to be much more "into" this disease, it's effects, and possible remedies. He actually asks the right questions now and sometimes even has some answers that sound feasible. I don't know if the medical industry has published a lot more about this "rare" disease as of late or if it's just him that is all of a sudden much more on board with it, but either way, I'm grateful. I was at the point of wanting to look for other doctors who might have more experience with CC but this doc has risen to the challenge lately and I'm going to stick with him for a while.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!