Why not take meds as needed?!?

[Sea_Star]

I just thought:

Why not take medications as needed, whenever you feel a flare coming on, then get off them when you're in remission? I'm sure the risks would be less...

btw, I don't like hearing that doctors are just pill-pushers, and that alternative treatments "work" because then i don't know who to believe!

 

[vonfunk]

It depends on the person and what drug it is. I know someone who was able to keep her crohn's in check with diet and marijuana, she only took prednisone when she was starting to flare.
It is possible for some people, however the larger portion do require medication to keep things in line. When I had a colon as soon as I stopped taking steroids no matter how slowly I tapered I would go into a flare in less than a week.

 

[kiny]

there's a number of reasons why this doesn't work

-they tried this at first with anti-tnf, but ppl relapse and you develop antibodies

-antibiotics can also not be stopped and restarted again, because you develop resistance if you stop antibiotics

-steroids can also not just be stopped and restarted, since these substances take time be effective

etc

Another issue I think is that you really don't know when a patient is sick sometimes, I don't know how many would like to do colonocsopies every other month, but colonoscopies carry risks too, risk of infection or perforations, while rare, you would need a way to follow up the patient, etc. I think it's just not easy to just stop and start medication at will.

 

[kiny]

whenever you feel a flare coming on

the damage is already done at that point, my guess is the actual pain is not from damage to the intestine, but from the immune response, the immune system sends pain signals to the brain, at that point there is already widespread damage to the intestine in most people

a system where you would go off and on medication, would need a good way to monitor the patient, but this isn't ideal either I think, running in and out of hospitals non-stop for check ups has risks too

 

[Orchid]

Waiting for yourself to "feel" a flare is far too late. Most of the gastric system lacks pain receptors any pain you're experiencing means you're suffering complications of damage already done.

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

I think it would depend on the medication. Our maintenance drugs such as my pentasa, I wouldn't play with and would take everyday. This for example, helps me fight whatever I might come in contact with. My canasa suppository however, seems to help me the most if I end up seeing/passing blood. Once in awhile I can skip taking the canasa and be alright.

Before playing around with your meds though, I would do a little research and talk with your doctors.