New to Crohn's... Are my meds working?

[ccerulean]

Hi, I was just recently diagnosed with Crohn's one month ago. My first flare started on Dec. 31 when I had some major abdominal cramping. The doctors thought I had appendicitis and put me on antibiotics, I had a second attack of pain on Feb. 7. In the meantime, my main symptom has been a continual "ache" or discomfort in my lower right side.

I've been on 3 pills of Budesonide and 8 Pentasas per day for the last four weeks, since my scopes revealed ulcerations in the terminal ileum. Within days of starting the meds, my energy and appetite was back and I felt well enough to go out and do things. The ache in my side, however, remains.

The ache is not extreme pain or anything, but it varies in intensity day by day. Last week I was excited because I thought the ache went away, but this week it seems to be back. How long do these medications typically take to reduce inflammation? I have no idea about any of this as it is all foreign to me. How do I judge if it is working?

 

[theOcean]

Pentasa is an anti-inflammatory -- it's effective for some people with milder cases, but if you find you're still in pain and that it isn't helping, make sure to mention it to your GI! It might also be that you need to be out on a short course is steroids to help you out of flare, and then the Pentasa might be okay for maintenance -- or you might need an immunomodulator depending on your illness (like Imuran). Basically: keep an eye on your symptoms because you know your body best, and if you aren't feeling better, speak up about it! Either here or to your GI. People are always willing to give insight here.

 

[Allison M]

I just want to say hi, and good luck. I'm newly diagnosed, December '13, but I had 4 years of abdominal pain, pancolitis, and 3 operations before I was told. I did prednisone, then 6MP and sulfasalazine for past 2 months. I'm still sick but not the same level of abdominal pain. I hope you feel better! Just finding people who understand on this forum has helped me!

 

[kjkenny45]

Are meds working? That is a tricky question but from what I know (6 years since diagnosis and over 10 years of on again / off again symptoms with pain, etc) I can say for certain that any medicine that helps is only short-lived. Drugs like Humira or Remicade usually last maybe 3 years before its effectiveness wears off. Some steroids like Entocort work fine for maybe a year but you really can not take that type of medicine for a long period without risking or getting another illness from the medicine.

If I was in your shoes being new to this like I was in 2008, I would immediately read up on and seriously consider trying LDN (Low Does Naltrexone).......I have used it since Sept 2013 and am so glad I did. I had almost an immediate relief from bloating, diarrheah and gas. Pains from eating food as you digest the food consumed stopped within a week and I have felt better now (and improving daily) than I have in almost a decade.

Worth considering but do not expect cooperation from most medical professionals......

Good luck on your journey!

 

[ccerulean]

Thanks for your replies. I know it's different for everyone. I guess basically I'm having trouble judging because my symptoms have not been terribly severe. Also, thanks for the heads-up on LDN -- something new to research!