UC and Octasa (Mesalazine) side effects

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with UC on 20th May. I was given OCTASA tablets to take over a 2 month period ( 3 x 800mg per day ). For 9 days everything was much improved but on the 10th day I had severe stomach cramps and the bloody stools had returned. Two days later I felt fine until the evening when the cramps returned and over the weekend just gone I had cramps. It was as if I had the same symptoms as before the medication but now I had terrible stomach pain.

The stomach pains have now gone as of Monday morning but I am waking up with headaches throughout the day plus I have a weird sensation in the back of my throat when I breathe. 

Prior to my diagnosis by colonoscopy I'd had UC symptoms for about 3 months with none of the additional pains etc. 

Should I be eating a low fibre diet during this 2 month period because nothing was mentioned after I left hospital about diet. 

I suppose my question is, are these all side effects of my medication or the UC? 

Thanks everyone

Ashley

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Posted

    Hey Ashley,

    I have had a mystery ride with Mesalazine. About three weeks after starting them, I had 3-4 days of diarohea, bloody stools, fever, sweats at nights and a weird chest feeling like chest pulpations.  Thankfully that passed me by and after a few more weeks of slightly bloody stools now and again, I am happy to say that I am now feeling much better and haven seen any blood for about 5 or six weeks. (I am about 3 months into taking Mesalazine now) Like you I still don't know if this was a side effect of the medication or just a flare up.

    My diaganosis is unclear as to whenever it's UC or Crohns but it does seem that Mesalzine is working for me but it did take a good 6-7 weeks before things settled down.

    About diet, although no doctor has advised me of this too - i do think it helps to watch what you are eating and indeed too much fibre is much harder for me to digest.

    I hope that you will feel better soon. smile

    Tc.

    Frank

    • Posted

      Thank you very much for this Frank. It looks like I just need to ride out whatever side effects I get and hopefully it'll level out. Much appreciated information!

      Hope you are okay.

      Ashley

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