5-ASA Absorption for Indeterminate IBD and J Pouch?

Researching and looking at some older posts here, I guess it would be Pentasa I might be looking at........

Hi Blueflame.

My diagnosis has also changed to indeterminate IBD just this last week, and I also have been researching different treatments for my condition.

From what I have been reading, the use of pentasa with another combined therapy is more for maintenance after the inflammation has been put into remission. Though, the pentasa is going to have to be combined with something much stronger in order to retain remission. However, you may also be taking it unnecessarily because the strength of pentasa is not enough to control the inflammation, and may be controlled with the stronger medication anyways. I was on pentasa enemas for about a year and a half, and it didn't even make a dent in my inflammation.

I know side-effects are a concern, but I'd rather have the inflammation controlled before thinking about maintenance of the disease. I guess for me, I'd rather go for something stronger to put the inflammation into remission as I have severe symptoms, absorption issues and unable to eat. I've been suffering for two years with these debilitating symptoms, so I can't even tell the difference between my illness and a side-effect anymore.

Good luck with your treatment. I hope you are able to find something quicker than I have.

-Rina

Hi Rina,

Thanks for the reply. That makes sense. The symptoms I feel are minimal and pretty well controlled with antibiotics and diet. However, my most recent endoscopy still shows inflammation with erosion and an ulcer in the pouch. I also came up B12 deficient and an MRI shows some wall thickening in the pouch and just above it.

The note from my doctor is continue cipro and consider IBD targeted therapy. I do not yet know the plan; my appointment is next week.

Since all this came up, I started both cipro and flagyl three months ago, but stopped flagyl after about 5 weeks due to side effects.