Mesalamine and Bloating: What Users Say

• Deb...
• January 3, 2021

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "Received a diagnosis last year of ulcerative colitis when I stopped smoking. Two months later, all the symptoms hit: bloated, pains in the stomach, constipation, and lots of blood! I went for a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. At first, I was given the rectal foam... I found the process awful, once inserted, you couldn’t move, otherwise it triggered a bowel movement and also caused awful cramps. I then tried the Pentasa tablets, taking 2 a day for 8 weeks now, and what a difference! The bloating and pain in the stomach has gone down loads, bowel movements are more regular, and much less bleeding. I still get the odd niggly feelings and a small amount of blood, so the doctor has recommended upping the dose to 4 a day. So far though, these tablets have massively improved my ulcerative colitis. I’m in the UK and fortunate enough to have the NHS, so I pay £9 for three big boxes. It’s crazy to think people have to pay hundreds for no fault of their own!"

• Gea...
• July 19, 2018

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Been on this for two months now, absolutely no more. It's terrible. Makes my symptoms worse. I keep being told not to stop taking it, the effects will eventually stop, they don't. Abdominal pain, in areas I've never felt before, now not just my lower left side but all the way up under ribs. Terrible swelling, nausea, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, general sick feeling, constipation, bloating, pain every time I eat. I'm stopping this now. It's not helping, and even if it did, side effects outweigh the benefit. I was better before starting this rubbish."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I have fairly severe ulcerative colitis, and after 4 months of feeling horrible, tired, bloody diarrhea with the constant urge to go and fear of eating and setting it off again, I was finally diagnosed and put on Lialda - 4 pills once a day. At first, it caused horrible gas and bloating and took about a week or so to help the symptoms at all, but after a few weeks, the symptoms were completely gone and the side effects went away as my body got used to the medication. Then, about 1 month into taking it, I developed horrible cystic acne all over my face, neck, chest, even in my nostrils and ears! My doctor cut the dose in half to 2 pills once a day and within a few days, my skin started to clear and heal. I have been on the lower dose for about a month with no problems!!"

• SUZ...
• September 20, 2019

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I have had colitis for 20 years. I was prescribed steroids but did not want to take them. I had gas, bloating, loose, watery, foul-smelling bowel movements. Up to 20 a day. I started on Asacol 800 mg. I took 6 tabs a day. Two in the morning, 2 midday, and 2 at bedtime. I saw no results and was even passing whole tablets... as I know it is common. I almost threw in the towel. At the 3-month mark, I had formed stools and minimal gas and bloating. You have to be patient. Our bowels did not get sick overnight... so you are not going to be cured overnight. 20 years of issues took about 3 months on Asacol. Now I am down to 2 x 800 mg tabs maintenance dose. 1 tab in the morning and 1 tab at night. I still have the odd loose bowel movement if I eat greasy food or drink too much coffee. But all in all... well worth it."

• Bos...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I take Lialda 3.6 g each morning, which cleared up my diarrhea and bloody stool, but I have had neurological side effects of headaches, fatigue, and slow thinking, and abdominal pain, gas, and bloating as well. I'm too scared to switch to other meds despite an Asacol prescription, given the risk of flare-ups when meds change, but I don't want the mental haziness for the rest of my life."

• tpk...
• June 9, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "My GP had me on another drug for 4 years and was feeling great. An annual colonoscopy showed nothing, so the 'Great Gastro' took me off everything, and about a month later, everything blew up. Went back to a Nurse Practitioner who apologized and put me on Lialda and Canasa. 1 week later, great again. Ins Co, after 6 months, decided not to pay for Lialda, so I was put on another couple, worked for a couple months, then blew up again. NP called Ins Co and got them to approve Lialda, Canasa again, and 2 months in, all ok except after eating, still bloating and gas. We explored my eating habits, and she (NP) took me off gluten, and gas and bloating stopped. Joints stopped aching. Try it! Can even touch my toes!!! Best NP around at OSU Gastro Clinic in Co."

• tes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I got UC 3 years after quitting smoking at age 70. As I was always healthy before, I was rather dismayed to be told I have ulcerative colitis. I take the enema and find it difficult to use as well as a nuisance. I do not 'go' as often and there is no more blood, but I am tired, have headaches, bloating, flatulence, and cramps---to the extent that I now get very little sleep. Before, my symptoms were in the morning. Now, I feel urgency to go all day---as well as most nights. Won't say I'm sorry I quit smoking. I'll just say I'm glad I smoked as long as I did. Hope others have better experiences with this drug."

• Blo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 25, 2015

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I loved this medication when I was first diagnosed because I was feeling better immediately, and everything cleared up 2 weeks in. I have been on this medication for almost 2 years now, and I have gained 30 lbs, and when I am on the highest dose of medication, I get painful acne! I never had acne as a teen. I also feel bloated all the time and think Lialda makes me retain water. I forgot to take my pills once, and the UC flare came roaring back within a day or two. My hair is also thinner. Did not fall out, just thinned. Don't enjoy the symptoms, but I do appreciate that it does work!"

• bmr...
• October 10, 2011

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I've been on Lialda for about 3 weeks, and it's not working at all for me. I feel like I have the flu every day, and the severe headache is unreal. I am still bloated and still not going to the bathroom."

• Anonymous
• February 27, 2009

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I have taken Lialda for 3 weeks and not much improvement. My doctor increased my intake to 3 pills every day and started me on prednisone. In my opinion, prednisone will do most of the work. I do not plan on taking Lialda long term because of side effects of headache, cramping, bloating, etc. This pill does not work fast enough."

• Pat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 5, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Proctitis "I have been using Canasa for 2 years. First, I wasn't paying for it until I turned 65 years old last year. I now pay a $75 copayment. Three months ago, I tried the generic brand and I noticed lots of symptoms: heart palpitations, lots of bloating, really bad pains. My blood pressure elevated, nervousness, muscle pain in my left calf, pain in my left side, and a really bad headache. I can't deal with it anymore, I am even losing body mass."

• Rea...
• February 6, 2020

For Ulcerative Colitis, Maintenance "Supposedly diagnosed with segmental colitis, and after my colonoscopy, I was started on Lialda. Now, 6 months later, I have seen no improvement, however, I think I am experiencing bloating, knee pain, and I am still bleeding. My doctor suggested prednisone. At this point, my trust in her is gone, and I decided to stop the medication. 6 months of bleeding, numerous calls to her office/visits, and a ton of blood work, and nothing has changed. Side effects can be increased bleeding."

• Dud...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 17, 2021

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "PT 1: Took Lialda after being diagnosed with UC in 2010, with visible ulcers in the ascending and transverse sections of the colon. I was having severe bleeding with stools, frequent abdominal cramping and gas after meals, frequent diarrhea, and BMs with constant urgency. I took it for 3 years, and in combination with adjusting diet, it cleared the UC symptoms and got me back to normal. I didn't have any severe side effects, it might've made me feel lethargic and overweight at times, which is why I wanted to get off it as soon as I felt better. I had remission for 5 years after I stopped taking it. PT 2: Microscopic colitis came back in the lower colon, and I’ve had no luck with Lialda (generic and brand versions) or Apriso. Had to go on Prednisone twice for flares and have had constant gas, bloating, constipation, and urgency issues for 3 years now. Looking at switching to a biologic pill like Zeposia or Imuran because Xeljanz is now on FDA watch for blood clots."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2022

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "This caused gas, bloating, cramps, and slight nausea. I have no idea why this med didn't work. I figured at 76 years old, who needed the extra pain and agony? Oh, I also had diarrhea, that was not good either. It never stopped."

• Nor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 2, 2020

For Ulcerative Colitis "For the first 4 years, mesalamine worked all right for my UC, but then my body had enough, and I got side effects of feeling bloated all day long, bones felt weak, joint pain, chest pain, etc. I ended up quitting it and switching to Dipentum."

• Tee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 15, 2020

For Ulcerative Colitis "This medication works well for me. The only side effects I experienced were bloating and weight gain. I did stop taking it for a while just to see if that’s where my weight was coming from. But being pain-free outweighs the weight any day."

• Anonymous
• November 25, 2020

For Ulcerative Colitis "I've had ulcerative colitis (UC) for 6 years now and take 6 Octasa tablets (mesalamine brand in the UK) a day. If I get a flare-up bad, I take the Salofalk foam every night, and after a few days, my symptoms seem to die down. I find it very good, although I find it uncomfortable to do and feel I need to run to the loo for the first 30 seconds. I had Asacol foam at first, but it didn't make me feel I needed to run to the loo, but I found this foam made me really bloated and constipated."

• Mes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2023

For Ulcerative Proctitis "After taking the generic version for 2 days, the blood has resolved itself, but I have bloating, constipation, a small amount of light-colored stool, and I also had a migraine. I am now on day 5. I hope these symptoms go away!"

• Bel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2019

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Taking Lialda, 2 pills twice a day, lots of bloating, diarrhea, losing hair... time to call Dr. Been on this med for almost a year... now that he upped it, feel it got worse."

• Art...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2013

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "Hair loss, bloating, headache, night sweats, stretch marks on inner thighs, and increased frequency of bowel motion."