HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Suggest Treatment For Abdominal Pain When Diagnosed With Ulcerative Colitis

Posted on Wed, 1 Feb 2017

Question: I have a history of ulcerative colitis. Was taking asacol but had to switch to Lialda due to insurance reasons. Recently, I've been experiencing excessive belching, head pressure, and occasional sharp pain in my stomach. I did stop taking the lialda about 1 week ago and the sharp stomach pain has somewhat been relieved but not completely. The all came on suddenly after the medication change. I've also had a lot of stress too.
I had and endoscopy and colonoscopy a few months ago before this started and everything looked good.

Answered by Dr. Dr. BR Hudda (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ask for sustained release preparation of mesalamime (Lialda)

Detailed Answer:
Hello Ma'am
Welcome to health care magic I appreciate your concern.

Asacol and lialda both contain the same substance mesalamime but preparation is different.

Here, I would like to know about dose of both the medicine and since how long are you taking these medicines.

Since everything is good on colonoscopy, that's infact a good news.

In my opinion if you can't tolerate Lialda than you should again switch over to Asacol after consulting your doctor or you can ask for other preparation like sustained release and take the tablet with full glass of water.

I would advise you to take antiacidity medicine like pantoprazole or ranitidine group of drugs with antacids for 5-7 days for symptomatic relief.

Hope this answers your question please feel free to ask for follow up question I will gladly answer you.
Best wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. BR Hudda (13 hours later)

originally when i started taking Asacol, I was taking the HD 800, and i was taking 2 pills, 3 times per day. I managed to wean myself down to 1 pill, 2 times per day.. Then they had to switch me ti lialda because of my insurance. I was supposed to 4 pills every morning. I started with 4, and had myself down to 2 pills every morning. I also take Nexium, 1 40 mil pill, 2 times per day for reflux. i was doing absolutely great when they switched the meds and then i started having issues after i switched like not feeling good, sharp pains in my stomach, fatigue and general nausea, but no vomitting. i looked up the side effects of lialda and saw that everything on the list was how i was feeling.

Answered by Dr. Dr. BR Hudda (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This might be related to side effects of Lialda

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome again

In my opinion you should take Nexium empty stomach and lialda after the meal with a full glass of water.

you should take antacids like gelusil or diagene syrup for symptomatic relief.

If your symptoms doesn't improve in 2-3 days than you should consult your doctor for an endoscopy for confirmation of diagnosis and to rule out stomach or duodenal ulcer.

Hope this answers your question
wishing you good health and speedy recovery.
Regards

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T