Members that have had some success with melamine how long on the medicine did it take to see some improvement? I read on another site that it took a woman 2 months, but she did eventually have success on this medication.
Is that common? How long did it take, if you had some success?
Thanks, Kristen
Mesalamine Users
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My wife got mc 3 years ago. After the usual shrugging shoulders from doctors we finally got a diagnosis. Then I found this site and read everything on it. After trying many different things from diet to various medications (starting with what I'd call first line of defenses like Imodium and Pepto) she was prescribed mesalamine. If that didn't work we were going to try budesonide, etc.
It was like night and day difference. It took a day or two to notice a difference. Not perfect, but the constant trips to the bathroom and all the challenges that resulted started to go away. It probably took 1.5 to 2 months to really seem more normal (still not completely pre-mc). Over time it's gotten even better. She was prescribed 2 pills but after perhaps a years wanted to taper so went down to 1. There's some concern that eliminating it completely may bring the mc symptoms back. And if so perhaps restarting the second time around may not be successful.
We have done things in addition with diet which I think also helps, but it's not as extreme as might be needed without mesalamine.
My opinion is everyone's different. I think that's the challenge with this disease. So if you have a doctor you trust and they feels it's safe for you, then it may be a good option. At least that's been our experience.
I'm still interested in other people's experiences long term with mesalamine since my wife's still on it. Or people who've used it and started again. So will continue to read these forums (very glad it exists).
It was like night and day difference. It took a day or two to notice a difference. Not perfect, but the constant trips to the bathroom and all the challenges that resulted started to go away. It probably took 1.5 to 2 months to really seem more normal (still not completely pre-mc). Over time it's gotten even better. She was prescribed 2 pills but after perhaps a years wanted to taper so went down to 1. There's some concern that eliminating it completely may bring the mc symptoms back. And if so perhaps restarting the second time around may not be successful.
We have done things in addition with diet which I think also helps, but it's not as extreme as might be needed without mesalamine.
My opinion is everyone's different. I think that's the challenge with this disease. So if you have a doctor you trust and they feels it's safe for you, then it may be a good option. At least that's been our experience.
I'm still interested in other people's experiences long term with mesalamine since my wife's still on it. Or people who've used it and started again. So will continue to read these forums (very glad it exists).
Re: Mesalamine Users
Hello,
I take 2g Pentasa everyday, I think it has helped. Sometimes when I forget to take the tablets I seem to get a little tired, which could be the lymphocytes
I have been taking them since May last year. I’m not sure when, if ever, I will be taken off of them. I’m not convinced I have reached remission yet but that could be my diet.
Amy
I take 2g Pentasa everyday, I think it has helped. Sometimes when I forget to take the tablets I seem to get a little tired, which could be the lymphocytes
I have been taking them since May last year. I’m not sure when, if ever, I will be taken off of them. I’m not convinced I have reached remission yet but that could be my diet. Amy
Onset of tummy problems June 2014
Diagnosed with MC July 2020
Diagnosed with PCOS 2007
Negative for celiac genes
England (Near London), UK
Diagnosed with MC July 2020
Diagnosed with PCOS 2007
Negative for celiac genes
England (Near London), UK
Re: Mesalamine Users
It's nice to read that it's helping you. I see Pentasa is extended release mesalamine so it seems similar to the Lialda which is what my wife is still using (she's down to 1 pill a day since testing with that showed it provided the same result as taking two a day).