This started over a year ago while I was about 6 months pregnant. I just dealt with it, ate from the IBS soluble fiber diet and missed family get togethers and everything in between.
It has been about 2 weeks and the Asacol 800 mg 2x a day. seems different every day. I am still having 3-12 BM daily. The pharmacist told me I could take the pills again. Do most take it with food? Help! Thanks!!
Hi,
What you are describing is not uncommon.
Asacol tablets have an enteric coating on them that is designed to break down only in the gut. I took Asacol for nearly 10 years and it wasn't uncommon to sometimes see what looked like a whole capsule in the toilet bowl. When I discussed this with my doctor he said that it is not uncommon to get some of that coating in stool, even when the medication inside was absorbed by the body. Needless to say, I didn't try to fish what I was seeing out of the toilet bowl to see if it was just the coating or a whole capsule. But, for me, it only happened here and there, so wasn't a major concern.
That said, if you are seeing *capsules* in the bowl regularly, as in daily, or more than one in the bowl at a time, then I'd really talk to your doctor about it. It may indicate that you don't have enough acid in your digestive tract to break down the pills, and possibly not enough to break down food either. A digestive enzyme supplement may be needed.
Good luck,
Elizabeth
From your original question I can't quite tell how long you've been taking the Asacol, but it seems like only for 2 weeks. The thing with these 5-ASA medications, which is the family of drugs that Asacol falls in to, is that they don't work like other drugs, i.e. take an aspirin for a headache and 30 mins. later the pain subsides.
Nope, not how Asacol works. Asacol is given to help reduce the inflammation in your gut. And that inflammation is cellular and can run deep into your colon, meaning that it probably took months to get inflamed and it can take a month or more of taking the drug to see a difference in the amount of inflammation in your gut and thus, your symptom pattern.
I was undiagnosed with UC and IBS for years and years. It wasn't until I was in a crisis state that the Dx was made - I'd lost 20 pounds in a couple of months, couldn't eat, constant D (10-30 BMs per day), etc. I was initially put on 9 Asacol/day. After 3 weeks saw no difference, so was increased to 12/day. By about the second month things started to slow down a bit. But, I also really changed my diet and a few other things (if you want, you can read my whole story in a book I wrote, www.ibdandibs.com). All-in-all it took me about 2 years to really get that first terrible flare-up under control.
I don't want to scare you with what I'm saying. And I know being a new mom adds a whole other amount of stress which just makes this all so much harder. But, honestly, patience and being as stress-free as possible will be very good friends to you right now. Also, being flexible and trying different approaches to things is good too. Like, could you invite some other new moms to your house for play time or story hour? Or, if you go out for a baby gathering, can you make a deal with a friend that if you have to go to the bathroom she'll your baby?
I actually found that having a back-plan or alternative really helped me to feel okay getting out of the house. And, honestly, once I was out my gut would actually settle oftentimes. Of course there were times I had to leave early, or didn't even get where I was going before I had to turn around and go home, but don't let this turn you into a prisoner. It's doable, really it is.
I had to learn to stop living in a black and white world, meaning I could either do something or not do something. I found that there is a lot of grey space when we make it ourselves. If you get somewhere 15 minutes late, don't beat yourself up, just be happy that you're there. If you have to leave early, so what? If you have to completely cancel something at the last minute, true friends will be understanding. Do what you can and take some of the pressure off of yourself to be super mom. You have a disease, and you have to learn to take care of yourself because if you aren't well then you can't be the best for your child.
It's okay to be imperfect even in a world that tells us it's not.
You can do this!
Hugs,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, THank you so much for your encouragement and support! I am almost in tears of joy! Your emails have been more helpful than any doctor's consultation. I am going to try going gluten-free, because I've heard this helps some people and I think I might have some wheat issues. Thank you again- I really needed this. 
Melissa
P.S.
Also, don't be afraid to take an Imodium or 2 to help get you out the door. This helped me quite a bit. Just don't take more than 4 in a 24 hour period.
This happens consistently for my friend who has Crohn's and has had a large part of her terminal ilium removed. To keep from passing the pills intact, she breaks them in half. The effectiveness has markedly improved since she started taking the medication this way. She uses Imodium occasionally too. Good luck!!
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Thank you so much for your response. I did do the unthinkable with a glove and see that they were indeed full pills- although much softer. I will have to contact my doctor. This is all new to me and I guess I am still in a state of mourning of sorts. I have an 11 month old and my UC is dibilatating as I"m sure most people know- we miss all of the storytimes and regular outings- because it usually takes all day for my stomach to stabilize. I know normal is different for everyone- but what is a normal day like? Do these medicines help with the frequency? Thanks again!