Medication with no Symptoms (?)

[Tricycloplots]

I was recently diagnosed with "probable" Crohn's via a colonoscopy and Prometheus labs. I have virtually no symptoms, but my GI is recommending I go on Pentasa "indefinately" in order to tame ileum inflammation seen in the colonoscopy. His rationale is that taming the inflammation should reduce risk of complications down the road (due to the inflammation persisting).

Is this normal? I'm just a little apprehensive going on Pentasa (or any medication for that matter) indefinately when I really have no symptoms. I went on a 3 months stint of it and really didn't notice any changes.

Thanks.

 

[Jennifer]

Why are you seeing a GI? Usually people only go to a specialist when there's a problem. Inflammation is nothing to sneeze at and can lead to further complications. At this point I don't see an issue with going on medication to reduce the inflammation while you undergo further testing to find the cause of the inflammation. Best to get things figured out and nipped in the bud as soon as possible rather than waiting until you have irreversible damage.

Also keep in mind that many people with IBD have few and sometimes no symptoms yet their bowels paint a completely different picture.

Welcome to the forum! If you don't mind, would you like to share your story in the Your Story section of the forum so we an all properly greet and meet you?

 

[Tricycloplots]

I went in due to a tiny amount of blood during BMs which led to the colonoscopy. Following that, the GI said the blood was likely due to some small hemorrhoids. The colonoscopy also revealed the inflammation which then lead to the Prometheus lab test.

The plan set forth is Pentasa and then colonoscopies every 2-3 years to keep tabs on things. I have none of the 'typical' CD symptoms, but obviously would like to avoid them, and if this seems like a reasonable approach, then fine. Just seemed like most people on the forum talked about getting off the medication during remission periods....whereas I'd be going ON the medication with no symptoms.

 

[Jennifer]

Everyone would like to be med free but I think the majority stands behind maintenance medication even during remission. I've been in remission for 12 years now and would like to keep it that way. I've been on 6MP the entire time and was recently put on Entocort for very mild inflammation due to an overgrowth of bacteria which is common for people who have had bowel resections (I've had one so far). You're on medication because of the inflammation. Trust me, you don't want the typical IBD symptoms. If you're uncomfortable with your GI's decision you can always seek a second, third or tenth opinion and go from there. Finding the right doctor for YOU can be a very long process but they are out there if you're not comfortable with your current one. The main thing in my opinion is to treat the inflammation and find the cause and go from there. That's how my GI docs have always been with me.

 

[Tricycloplots]

Thank you. I appreciate the quick responses.

You mention 'finding the cause of the inflammation'.....it seems like I will just be on Pentasa with occasional colonoscopies to monitor status. He made no mention of any further fine tuned diagnosis or tests to determine the cause of the inflammation other than it's due to Crohn's.

Are there other diagnostics that can be done or are normally done that will give any additional information as to the cause of the inflammation?

Thank you again.