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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/26/2009 10:16 PM (GMT -5)
I'm on 5-ASA meds at the moment, I have read that after a few months the medication stops working and I am honestly upset... is it guaranteed that they will become ineffective?
Posted 3/26/2009 10:25 PM (GMT -5)
Not a guarantee. Every person is different and reacts differently. Some folks have been able to maintain remission taking the same dosage of the same drug for years, while others seem to run through drugs faster than they are being invented. Its the same with any medication...there is a chance your body will develop a tolerance and the drug will become less effective.

Try to look at the bright side, which is the relief you'll get from the drug while it is working. No need to dwell on the "what ifs" of the situation.
Posted 3/27/2009 12:31 AM (GMT -5)
I've been on 5ASA meds..oral/rectal for over 20 years....still effective.

Some don't want to use the meds, are on too many initially then stop because of side effects, some aren't on rectal meds as well...basically rendering the oral meds half useful (and perceived to not be working)..etc

Yes, for some they aren't enough...but for some, even the big gun meds aren't enough and surgery is necessary. 

5ASA meds are also strongly believed to protect the colon from cancer....that's a huge plus for me.

quincy

Posted 3/27/2009 7:51 AM (GMT -5)
I was on Asacol for 12 years before it stopped working for me (I'm on Colazal now and it works but I need 6mp too). So no, it doesn't necessarily mean that it will stop working for you after a while or not at all. It all depends on how your body is going to respond to it.

Q explained it very well. There is no guarantee written in stone when it comes to UC.
Posted 3/27/2009 10:22 AM (GMT -5)
Really, with any disease, there are no guarantees as to what medicine will work and what medicine won't. It's frustrating, yes, but just something that we have to deal with, unfortunately. And I've decided that I'm lucky that at least there is a CURE for this disease. Yes, having surgery to remove one's colon is a drastic step, but at least I know that if it comes down to it, I can be rid of this disease.
Posted 3/27/2009 6:26 PM (GMT -5)
My scopes show that where the Asacol reaches is more healed, has scar tissue but less, than further along. Hence, the need to hit both ends! More than 20 years including the study period, I would frankly be afraid to try to risk going without it. It never has stopped occasional flares, though.
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