Can't stop Canasa without worsening flareup.What can be done for fatigue?

Hi Jeanne,

I'm sorry. Some flares can take months and months to get under control. Also, with drugs like Asacol and Canasa it's best not to stop them cold-turkey, you need to slowly lower the dose (with the guidance of your doctor) to avoid a rebound of symptoms.

I've been taking Asacol for nearly 10 years. With my first flare I took 9 tabs/day for nearly a year before things really settled down. I then got down to 8/day, then 6/day and am now at 4/day but if I go below that I tend to flare.

As for the fatigue, I hate to say that it simply seems to come with the flares and gets better once the flare is better controlled. But, even that said, I still find that I have less overall energy (even when not in a flare) since my IBD diagnosis.

You may want to look back at some of my older Shareposts on this site about diet and how it can help in getting flare under control and retaining remission. I find that diet and things like yoga and meditation really help the most in keeping my IBD under control.

Best of luck to you. It takes time, but you are experiencing is "normal" from what I know and have heard from other IBDers. Be patient and try the diet and stress reduction changes I suggested.

Cheers,

Elizabeth