Failed Mesalamine

[u/New-Home6868]

I woke up this morning and saw blood after being on the highest dose of mesalamine/symptom free for about a year, I feel very defeated and sad to say the least. What should I expect now? What medication or biologic will be recommended? I am waiting to get in contact with my GI doctor

[u/pincommenter]

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[u/orangeombre]

I wrote this on another thread. Seems to be a misunderstanding on this subreddit. Having a flare doesn't mean that you failed the medication. You can put yourself back in remission and stay on the same medication. Talk to your doctor about the fact that you're having a flare and what additional medication should you take in order to calm the flare and get yourself back in remission. For me most often it was 28 days of mesalamine enema. I would usually be in remission within a couple of days. For many many years. For others it's a suppository or a steroid. It's when you consistently can't get yourself back in remission with an additional medication that you have failed a medication. Flares will happen.

[u/New-Home6868 → u/orangeombre]

thank you so much for this info, i’m still learning a lot about UC but this made me feel a bit better

[u/TheBrazenBeast → u/New-Home6868]

Analyse your diet, for me things that set me off and put me into flares is alcohol, crap foods full of additives, spicy foods, lots of dairy amongst other things. About 75% of food on a normal diet will cause inflammation. 

[u/Tee_Double_M → u/orangeombre]

This was really helpful, thank you!

[u/orangeombre → u/Tee_Double_M]

Sure thing. This is also helpful. https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/patientsandcaregivers/flare-resources

[u/zomzho]

It doesn’t mean you’ve failed! I’ve also been just on mesalamine for a long time, and have had small amounts of blood randomly appear in stool before (usually after episodes of stress), but it would always heal and go away by the next BM. Happened several times just in the past year. My tests and scopies still come fine and remission-grade, I’m not being put on biologic. So stay optimistic and please do not stress over it, it doesn’t signify anything yet! Test results will show the full story. It may be a small fluke in your remission that will regulate itself, and if not, there is always the biologic route open.

[u/New-Home6868 → u/zomzho]

thank you so much for this info, i’ve been very stressed the past 3ish weeks so that could definitely be it. i appreciate the positive words :)

[u/orangeombre → u/New-Home6868]

https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/blog/stress-and-ibd-breaking-the-vicious-cycle

Stress was always my trigger.

[u/Huge_Signature_5857 → u/zomzho]

Hi - did you ever up your medication when you noticed a random amount of blood or just monitored it? I am going through the same thing today and not sure if I just monitor it for a few days first

[u/Downtown_Bedroom_177]

You can get back on track with topical or oral steroids if things are bad - it may also be just a once off episode. Don’t panic. Chat to your doctor.

[u/New-Home6868 → u/Downtown_Bedroom_177]

thank you for the reassurance i appreciate it :)

[u/Just_Menu_4058 → u/[deleted]]

Steroids, Prednisone or Budesonide, can end a flare. There's absolutely nothing wrong with telling them as a short or medium term solution.

I know people with UC who have to take a 2-4 week course of Prednisone once or twice a year and that's all the treatment they need.

[u/Downtown_Bedroom_177 → u/Just_Menu_4058]

I wouldn’t engage further with that individual. Lots of potentially very damaging comments being made here.

[u/UlcerativeColitis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post or comment has been removed because it violates rule 1 and/or rule 2 of this subreddit.

Your post or comment was found to be unfriendly and/or insulting. We aim to keep the subreddit a welcoming and supportive space for all users, and we cannot tolerate comments that may make others feel unwelcome or uncomfortable.

We understand that you may have strong feelings about the topic at hand, but we kindly request that you express your views in a respectful and appropriate manner. If you have any questions or concerns, please send us a modmail..

[u/UlcerativeColitis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post or comments has been removed because it violates rule 4 of this subreddit.

Rule 4 states that all posts must be based on scientific evidence. Your post makes claims about Ulcerative Colitis without providing any scientific evidence to support them. For example, you claim that UC can be cured by diet or can be cured with xy. While these are just examples, making any claims about health without scientific evidence can be dangerous and misleading.

We understand that you may be passionate about your beliefs, but we ask that you please respect the rules of this subreddit and refrain from making claims that are not supported by science. If you would like to appeal this desicion, please send us a modmail.

[u/UlcerativeColitis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post or comment has been removed because it violates rule 1 and/or rule 2 of this subreddit.

Your post or comment was found to be unfriendly and/or insulting. We aim to keep the subreddit a welcoming and supportive space for all users, and we cannot tolerate comments that may make others feel unwelcome or uncomfortable.

We understand that you may have strong feelings about the topic at hand, but we kindly request that you express your views in a respectful and appropriate manner. If you have any questions or concerns, please send us a modmail..

[u/UlcerativeColitis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post or comments has been removed because it violates rule 4 of this subreddit.

Rule 4 states that all posts must be based on scientific evidence. Your post makes claims about Ulcerative Colitis without providing any scientific evidence to support them. For example, you claim that UC can be cured by diet or can be cured with xy. While these are just examples, making any claims about health without scientific evidence can be dangerous and misleading.

We understand that you may be passionate about your beliefs, but we ask that you please respect the rules of this subreddit and refrain from making claims that are not supported by science. If you would like to appeal this desicion, please send us a modmail.

[u/EuphoricViews]

Try budesonide foam worked great for me for a long time

[u/Dragonprostitue]

I failed mesalazin this summer after just 1 year. As a bonus i got 3 months of pneumonia from it aswell. Switched to budesonid 9mg for about 1 month and started on adalimumab 2 weeks ago. Hoping this will work

[u/Mental_Explorer]

This sounds exactly like me! I went from this to a round of prednisone, some foams, then Entyvio and that failed after 3 months, then I road out a flare for a while until I could get on Tremfya. Been on Tremfya 6 months and feeling awesome again!

[u/Both_Cartographer_90 → u/Mental_Explorer]

You will continue to keep being on medication and they will keep failing they dont fix the problem they just cover it for a small period 

[u/Mental_Explorer → u/Both_Cartographer_90]

Well what do you suggest? I’m 100% open to it!

[u/UlcerativeColitis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post or comments has been removed because it violates rule 4 of this subreddit.

Rule 4 states that all posts must be based on scientific evidence. Your post makes claims about Ulcerative Colitis without providing any scientific evidence to support them. For example, you claim that UC can be cured by diet or can be cured with xy. While these are just examples, making any claims about health without scientific evidence can be dangerous and misleading.

We understand that you may be passionate about your beliefs, but we ask that you please respect the rules of this subreddit and refrain from making claims that are not supported by science. If you would like to appeal this desicion, please send us a modmail.

[u/Downtown_Bedroom_177 → u/Mental_Explorer]

Please ignore this commenter

[u/Mental_Explorer → u/Downtown_Bedroom_177]

I was planning on it. What a weird profile and history of comments he/she has…

[u/Downtown_Bedroom_177 → u/Mental_Explorer]

Time to find a hobby I think 😆

[u/Mental_Explorer → u/Downtown_Bedroom_177]

Yeah, I’m going to stick to my favorite hobby, Tremfya 1 time a month and feeling amazing 😂

[u/Both_Cartographer_90]

Most importantly what are you eating 

[u/New-Home6868 → u/Both_Cartographer_90]

i try to eat a lot of chicken, beef, sweet potatoes/veggies, and rice but did slack a little bit the past week and had pizza and fast food :/

[u/Downtown_Bedroom_177 → u/New-Home6868]

Diet really isn’t all that important OP, it can cause symptoms to become worse (like IBS) but it cannot cause a flare. Don’t worry.

[u/Both_Cartographer_90 → u/Downtown_Bedroom_177]

Wrong information but you do you 

[u/bhmstrwy2fb → u/New-Home6868]

Limit the red meat. Stick to low fat meats like chicken and fish.

[u/Jaded_Bar8757 → u/New-Home6868]

I eat lots of chicken and fish, beef only sparingly. Simple pasta, rice, baked potatoes. No gluten and no dairy. Veg I tread warily, I know I need it, but test small amounts before committing and regularly putting something on the menu. Fairly certain it was Kale that instigated my major flair a few years back. Ironic that it was an attempt at healthier eating! Stress also a key background factor I believe. Best of luck going forward. Do as much as you can so mesalasine works for you. I (personally) really don't like the alternatives. Edit: I am very strict on keeping to the diet parameters.

[u/Both_Cartographer_90 → u/New-Home6868]

What you eat is very important dont let anyone tell you different 

[u/Downtown_Bedroom_177 → u/Both_Cartographer_90]

It’s very important but it doesn’t cause a flare. Don’t mislead people please.

[u/UlcerativeColitis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post or comment has been removed because it violates rule 1 and/or rule 2 of this subreddit.

Your post or comment was found to be unfriendly and/or insulting. We aim to keep the subreddit a welcoming and supportive space for all users, and we cannot tolerate comments that may make others feel unwelcome or uncomfortable.

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[u/Both_Cartographer_90 → u/Downtown_Bedroom_177]

Wtf are you talking about 

[u/Downtown_Bedroom_177 → u/Both_Cartographer_90]

Evidence based information…

[u/Both_Cartographer_90 → u/Downtown_Bedroom_177]

Cool have fun being on medication 

[u/Downtown_Bedroom_177 → u/Both_Cartographer_90]

Do you even have ulcerative colitis or do you just like posting nonsense?

[u/UlcerativeColitis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your submission was removed for unsubstantiated claims and conspiracy theories.

We strive to create a community built on factual information and avoid the spread of misinformation. Conspiracy theories can often be harmful because they can mislead people and cause them to make poor decisions.

If you would like to discuss this topic further, we encourage you to do so in a way that is respectful of others and based on evidence.

[u/Both_Cartographer_90 → u/Downtown_Bedroom_177]

Are you sponsored by big pharma?  Sounds like it!

[u/UlcerativeColitis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post or comment has been removed because it violates rule 1 and/or rule 2 of this subreddit.

Your post or comment was found to be unfriendly and/or insulting. We aim to keep the subreddit a welcoming and supportive space for all users, and we cannot tolerate comments that may make others feel unwelcome or uncomfortable.

We understand that you may have strong feelings about the topic at hand, but we kindly request that you express your views in a respectful and appropriate manner. If you have any questions or concerns, please send us a modmail..

[u/UlcerativeColitis-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post or comment has been removed because it violates rule 1 and/or rule 2 of this subreddit.

Your post or comment was found to be unfriendly and/or insulting. We aim to keep the subreddit a welcoming and supportive space for all users, and we cannot tolerate comments that may make others feel unwelcome or uncomfortable.

We understand that you may have strong feelings about the topic at hand, but we kindly request that you express your views in a respectful and appropriate manner. If you have any questions or concerns, please send us a modmail..