Mesazaline even when okay?

Posted , 8 users are following.

Hi everyone,

 I don't have a follow up until 25th September and I'm taking ASOCOL ( Mesazaline ) tablets three daily which is working for me. My question is do I keep taking these basically forever or can I stop them and carry on when I have a flare up? 

Thank you

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Something to ask your dr.  I’m in remission and continue to take meds..but have been able to cut down..
  • Posted

    Hi

    When I saw my consultant last time I thought that I was in remission, but tired.  He took bloods which still showed inflammation - he doubled my tablets to 4 a day.  Even though I felt OK.  I have to see him  again this week.

    Glad you are feeling better though.

  • Posted

    As far as I'm aware you take these for good. No side affects that I'm aware of so shouldn't be a problem.

  • Posted

    Hey Ashley,

    I replied to your earlier post so nice to hear everything is going well on Mesazaline. smile Three daily tablets is for maintenance/prevention so you will be taking these long term if everything is going well. You can increase them to up to 6 tablets (4.8Mg) during the periods when you think that you have a flare up. (hopefully won't happen)

    Really happy that you have reached remission...this is a great place to be!

    Aside from your mishap during after the 1st week or so of taking this drug, have you had any other issues? I still suffer from severe fatigue/tiredness and my bowels whilst so much better...still have odd days of not being great. I wonder if this is something I just need to deal with, alothough my gastro is testing my stools when I mentioned this on my last visit.

    Best of luck.

    Frank

    • Posted

      Hi Frank,

      the Asocol seems to be working without side effects unlike the previous tablets. I did drop down to two tablets but think I'll go back to the three as I did notice some mucus/blood. 

      Sorry to hear about your tiredness. I think I did feel weary a few weeks back but I'm never sure what to blame. I'm not sure what to expect from colitis especially when I think I'm in remission.

      Hope you improve and get some answers Frank.

      take care

      Ashley 

  • Posted

    100% no you must take your med ritually for ever if you stop you will quickly go back to square one 
  • Posted

    Thank you for taking the time to reply everyone. It looks like I'll be staying on these .. 

  • Posted

    I had first symptoms of UC when I was 20 and I was started on Salazopyrine. I didn't respond so had several hospital admissions. Treated with Steroid retention enemas. Didn't respond. I was told if I didn't start taking my illness seriously, I wouldn't make it to 25. Several admissions later, consisting of clinical drug trials, I asked to start on Asacol. It was agreed that I should and within a month I was fine. Symptom free. I stayed on a low dose for 2 years and then I stopped taking it. I had 18 trouble free years and then it came back with a vengeance. My GP put me on Pentasa (also Mesalazine) but it got worse. He wanted me back in hospital but I asked if I could change from Pentasa back to Asacol and it worked within weeks. I was then told I had to stay on a low dose for the rest of my life. During a recent hospital admission for diverticulitis and a perforated bowel, I asked the consultant about swapping brands of Mesalazine. His response was absolutely not! They don't all react in the same way. So for me, it's Asacol forever. By the way, I celebrated my 70th birthday in March. So much for not making it to 25! I do hope you feel better.

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