I use to be on it, but it didn't really do much for me. I ended up having to go off it totally due to the cost.

My doctor gave me a card so that it would only cost $20.00. This card is not like the other cards that are based on your insurance copay. I went to the pharmacy and it really was only $20.00. It's issued by Warner Chilcott.

I've been taking regular Asacol since 1996! In 2008 I had my 2nd child and had my first flare in 13 years, so obviously it stopped working for awhile, but my GI continued me on it. Just recently started the HD and I'm finally on my way to remission, but I don't think it's the Asacol that put me in remission, I know it was the IV steriods/fluids I got in the hospital.
I was so close to having to start remicade. Thankfully the combo or one of the 3(Asacol, 6MP and IV steriods/fluids) did it for me.
Are you taking anything else?

i get horrible reactions to mesalamine so am not on any pharmaceutical right now...just using scd diet, nicotine gum, and holistic supplementation. so far...still in remission!

I've been on regular Asacol for years. It does not help on its own but both my GI doctor and the doctors at Mayo clinic said it's important to remain on it along with my other meds...Cimzia right now. I OFTEN see it in my stool completely whole, not absorbed at all. When I talked to the nurse about it she said it was completely normal and that is how the medicine works. Hmmm. If you don't have luck with just the Asacol they may need to move on to something stronger, but they may leave you on the Asacol as well. Meanwhile, I would do everything you can through diet to help. It took me 3 surgeries to REALLY change the way I ate. I try to follow the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) as much as possible. If you can avoid drugs through diet, I would. The doctors won't push a huge diet change but it's so important to do your own research. Good luck and keep us posted!

These comments have really helped me.
esp. Christa's
will have to look back over the SCD Diet. I did know about it a few years ago.
Since i was gf and then low oxolate diets....there wasn't much left to eat.
but
will try to look it up again
the asacol has helped me till the C-diff hit

If you are open to trying the SCD Diet again, it is totally worth giving it another shot. It saved my life... I have been on it for over a year and half now in total remission. I would recommend it to anyone that is willing to do what it takes to get better. It is a tough diet to start, that's for sure.

The key is to do the intro diet and start it right, it will also help starve out C. Diff over time if you keep the carbs even lower. If it helps anyone, there is a free guide, "How to start the SCD Diet in 24 hours and survive the intro diet" over at http://www.scdlifestylebook.com/free.php.

In good health,
Jordan

Oops, sorry. I screwed the link up, here it is again.

http://www.scdlifestylebook.com/free.php

i was on asacol for a few years and then it started making me constipated if i didnt drink enough fluids with it. crohns + constipation= horrible!! i did not have insurance at the time so it would cost 300 per bottle and i just could not afford that at the time. the GI dr. put me on lialda and it makes me feel like crap, and they also want to put me on remicade. the side effects are quite alarming so im going to try a natural alternative

Congrats on going after the natural alternative!

I hated Lialda too. My doctor swears by it, but my insurance won't cover it. I'm only on AsacolHD right now. I'd like to get off it as soon as possible. I would much rather control it with diet, but some days the little demon has a mind of it's own.

Yea, it definitely requires 100% strict adherence to keep the demon down...

I think that is the toughest part. Eat to live, not live to eat, that's how I make it through.

Hang in there!

What's the difference between Asacol and Asacol HD
So the SCD diet will help the c-diff?
Gosh diet changes, tho challanging,are sure cheaper, healthier etc.
Shame the Doc's just don't get this part of the puzzle.
Thanks SCDHealthy......did the down load.
After 5 years, gluten, soy, dairy, nightshade and low oxalate free, will be happy to look at the SCD. Think it will be harder than the above?
Judy

Judy,

The SCD Diet does an incredible job at starving out C. Diff as long as you keep fructose and dairy on the low side. Got to starve out the bad guys and make sure to not give them much in the way of sugars to feed on.

The SCD Diet is not harder than what you have been doing, just different. I would still avoid dairy for a while also... it's especially not hard when you actually start feeling better, than its incredibly easy!

Give it a try for 30 days and I bet you will be a whole new person... please stay in touch and get ahold of me if you have any questions or need anything!

Good luck. In good health,
Jordan