need Help
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need Help
About 3 years ago I was diagnoseed with UC. I was put on Asacol and took that for about a 1 1/2 then discovered I could treat myself with a GF diet. I have been doing that about a year now. Two weeks ago I was admitted to the hospital with acute pancreatitis. Could that be realted to the UC? I am now having symptoms again (less than 2 weeks after I was discahrged). I will probably be back in the hospital this weekend but I'm looking to try and find a cause since the DRs couldn't find one. Thanks.
Hi Jen,
Sorry to hear about the pancreatitis. MC can cause problems with the pancreas, so I would assume that UC could also cause problems. I can remember one member in particular, whose doctor warned her that she would suffer dire consequences if she did not agree to a very invasive test that he wanted to perform, but she declined, and after she achieved remission, all her pancreas problems disappeared. However, she never used any meds to control the MC inflammation.
I was totally unaware of this connection, but the further I look, the more evidence I find. Clearly, there is a connection between the 5-ASA meds, (Asacol, Pentasa Rowasa, Colazal, Lialda, etc.), and chronic pancreatitis, when used to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
For example, here's a doctor who blames Asacol for a patient's pancreatitis.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/gastro/archive/6443.html
Here's another case where the use of a 5-ASA med apparently led to what they refer to as idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis. I suggest that it may not have been idiopathic at all, but rather due to the 5-ASA medication.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articl ... id=2131411
Please read this article, which blames chronic pancreatitis in IBD patients on drugs, (azithioprine and mesalamines), and sclerosing cholangitis. Asacol, of course, is a member of the mesalimine family of medications.
http://www.joplink.net/prev/200801/200801_04.pdf
If you would rather read it in HTML, rather than PDF, here is a link for that:
http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:4Z ... cd=3&gl=us
Here's another example, in a child:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour ... 9/abstract
With all these patients, apparently, the pancreas problems resolved, after the meds were discontinued.
If yours continues to recur, you may have a case against the manufacturers of Asacol, due to the possibility of permanent effects from the Asacol, on your pancreatic system. I certainly hope that's not the case.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This certainly bears looking into, as I have never seen this risk mentioned, previously. The question, of course, is whether or not the association of chronic pancreatitis is due to the presence of an IBD alone, or whether it is due to the use of 5-ASA meds to treat an IBD. There seems to be a fair amount of evidence pointing toward the 5-ASA meds. An internet search turns up a vast amount of incriminating evidence.
Tex
Sorry to hear about the pancreatitis. MC can cause problems with the pancreas, so I would assume that UC could also cause problems. I can remember one member in particular, whose doctor warned her that she would suffer dire consequences if she did not agree to a very invasive test that he wanted to perform, but she declined, and after she achieved remission, all her pancreas problems disappeared. However, she never used any meds to control the MC inflammation.
I was totally unaware of this connection, but the further I look, the more evidence I find. Clearly, there is a connection between the 5-ASA meds, (Asacol, Pentasa Rowasa, Colazal, Lialda, etc.), and chronic pancreatitis, when used to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
For example, here's a doctor who blames Asacol for a patient's pancreatitis.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/gastro/archive/6443.html
Here's another case where the use of a 5-ASA med apparently led to what they refer to as idiopathic fibrosing pancreatitis. I suggest that it may not have been idiopathic at all, but rather due to the 5-ASA medication.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articl ... id=2131411
Please read this article, which blames chronic pancreatitis in IBD patients on drugs, (azithioprine and mesalamines), and sclerosing cholangitis. Asacol, of course, is a member of the mesalimine family of medications.
http://www.joplink.net/prev/200801/200801_04.pdf
If you would rather read it in HTML, rather than PDF, here is a link for that:
http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:4Z ... cd=3&gl=us
Here's another example, in a child:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour ... 9/abstract
With all these patients, apparently, the pancreas problems resolved, after the meds were discontinued.
If yours continues to recur, you may have a case against the manufacturers of Asacol, due to the possibility of permanent effects from the Asacol, on your pancreatic system. I certainly hope that's not the case.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. This certainly bears looking into, as I have never seen this risk mentioned, previously. The question, of course, is whether or not the association of chronic pancreatitis is due to the presence of an IBD alone, or whether it is due to the use of 5-ASA meds to treat an IBD. There seems to be a fair amount of evidence pointing toward the 5-ASA meds. An internet search turns up a vast amount of incriminating evidence.
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.
You're very welcome. I agree that your case is different, since so much time has passed since you quit taking Asacol. A research study needs to be done to determine the extent of the risk with this issue, and the risk of any long term effects.
It's possible that this is simply another autoimmune issue connected with MC, that some patients have to deal with, and others don't.
Tex
It's possible that this is simply another autoimmune issue connected with MC, that some patients have to deal with, and others don't.
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 Jen
just like to say
I take it you stopped the asacole by yourself? how long have you stopped the asacole?
Its possible you are having a relapse!!
and may need to start meds again..
I have heard that asacole has triggered pancreatic problems usually with long term use.. Im kind of worried about this too cos im on asacole for 3-4 months now..
Well done with sticking to a gf diet...
thats not easy i know!!
Hope you start to feel better soon and dont need to go into hospital.
tc
just like to say
I take it you stopped the asacole by yourself? how long have you stopped the asacole?
Its possible you are having a relapse!!
and may need to start meds again..I have heard that asacole has triggered pancreatic problems usually with long term use.. Im kind of worried about this too cos im on asacole for 3-4 months now..
Well done with sticking to a gf diet...
thats not easy i know!!Hope you start to feel better soon and dont need to go into hospital.
tc
Angy ;)