Mesalamine and Cramps: 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!"

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2017

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I was prescribed this med for mild UC. I discussed concerns with my doctor on starting a medication while nursing and without trying a natural approach to curing the symptoms first. He shared some patients had success using turmeric supplements to address inflammation of the sigmoid colon (lower intestine and bowel). After 2 weeks on the turmeric, my symptoms of urgency, cramping, and excessive frequency to 'go' subsided. After 3 weeks, I've been having normal bowel movements and no cramping. I am happy with the progress I've made on this natural remedy."

• Gor...
• November 2, 2016

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I'm a 47-year-old male and have had Crohn's now for 17 years. I've been taking one sachet of Pentasa in the morning after breakfast. I realize I'm pretty lucky as I lead a normal life, enjoying a pint or two with a curry, etc. My only issue from time to time is painful cramps from my back passage, this happens during the night and can last anywhere between 15 minutes to an hour. This happens maybe once every 2 months. I have not had any surgery, so I'm very grateful for Pentasa, as it seems to keep my Crohn's at bay. I'm from Scotland and get my medication prescription free."

• Doi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 5, 2017

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease "Ok, not enough room on this review to put up my full history. So will be brief. :) So far, I tried Asacol and Humira, and both did nothing for me. Now I am on Lialda twice a day, 1.2 GM tablets. And these are working great. No cramps and limiting me now to about 2 - 3 bowel movements a day. And no bloody stools, unlike my past (10 years diagnosis). I have also changed my diet to a Mediterranean diet with little to no red meat. Mainly chicken and fish for my sources of protein. No deep-fried foods. And has worked out great. Also, for veggies/greens etc., skip out on any gas-producing veggies (broccoli and onions, for example). And taking vitamins/iron supplements daily to keep those well maintained."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Prescribed mesalamine for ulcerative colitis in Jan this year. After two weeks, had severe tummy cramps, bloody diarrhea, headaches, fevers, nausea, and rashes. Was then put on Pentasa after a week, and symptoms got worse. Went back to the specialist and stopped it all 7 days ago and was put on a course of steroids until I go back for my 2nd scope in three weeks and 3rd in 10 months. Symptoms have subsided, but still experiencing severe tummy pains, extreme diarrhea (especially once the steroids wear off, I'm up all night constantly on the toilet 15+ times) and loss of appetite and nausea. I can't find any information on how long this takes to leave my system, and I regret ever starting this medication. It's made my life awful for the last 2 months. :("

• Pea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 3, 2020

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I’ve been taking Lialda for 6 years. I started on a very high dose but have reduced it over the years. I do believe it gives me gas, stomach aches, and I often have soft stools and mild cramping. I spoke to my doctor about it, and he agrees it is probably the Lialda, but I didn’t want to switch in fear a new drug would not be as effective. I can deal with the side effects I have, but I definitely don’t want another flare-up. With that said, it works for me, but with annoying side effects. Also, the price is ridiculous! For a while, I could use coupons, but they aren’t available since a generic was introduced. Thank goodness I have insurance, but it’s still high."

• Ric...
• July 6, 2015

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease "I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was 27 years old. I'm now 54. I've been through 2 fistula removals and many nights awakened with extreme rectal spasms. No fun! Extreme weight loss and fatigue. My doctor put me on Asacol 400 mg (2 in the morning and 2 at night). Turned my life around. The doctor told me I needed to stay on the medicine for the rest of my life. I felt great, put weight back on, and then I did a stupid thing. I decided to stop taking it. Was doing fine for the past 5 years, but it's back. Weight loss and all other symptoms: cramping, loss of appetite, etc. If Asacol is working for you, stay on it."

• Hey...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2018

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I am 24 years old, and I have secret ulcerative colitis. I recently tried Apriso for the second time this year and had the same results as the first attempt: horrible nausea, cramps, and insanely urgent diarrhea. Up all night. Couldn’t go to work, couldn’t function. I had better control and management without the drug."

• Juv...
• November 20, 2017

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I'm a Filipina, 44 years old, and was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2014. I've been taking Pentasa tabs and suppositories as well. My first 6 months were four Pentasa 500 mg tablets twice a day and 1 suppository before bedtime. There was an improvement, I had less diarrhea and cramping of the stomach. I maintained taking Pentasa for 2 years and reduced the dosage until I took two 500 mg Pentasa a day and 1 suppository. Since I feel better, I decided to stop taking the medicine. Now I'm 3 years without taking any medicine and starting again with diarrhea and bloody stools. Maybe I need to start back on Pentasa again."

• wal...
• October 27, 2015

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have started the Pentasa. It has given me diarrhea and some stomach cramps when taking it. I have to see if after taking it for a week how it will do with the Crohn's or see about getting off of it. I am also getting cramps in the stomach area when taking this medication."

• 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."

• Ani...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 17, 2019

For Ulcerative Proctitis "I was originally put on mesalamine Salofalk 1000 mg suppositories. It caused a burning sensation in my rectum and caused severe abdominal cramping. It increased my bowel movements to up to 20 bloody movements a day, and I lost fecal control. My doctor then put me on Mezavant tablets and later switched to the Salofalk mesalamine foam enema and then to the mesalamine Salofalk liquid enemas. I have never felt so sick in my life. I continue to have very negative side effects and increased nausea. Now I am choosing to come off this medication and will be speaking with my gastroenterologist about finding an alternative drug. This medication was absolute poison to my system. I have lost my quality of life, and it is very debilitating."

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2021

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "After months of gut pain with bouts of severe watery diarrhea, then cramping, I was scoped and found to have widespread moderate UC. Had previous scopes over the years for removal of polyps but no signs of anything else in the past (family history of bowel cancer). Started on mesalamine 1.2 g daily September 2020. After the first month, symptoms and pain/frequency settled. Felt great apart from occasional bouts of nausea, retching, dizziness, and sweating lasting 15 minutes. Since January 2021, having solid motions two to three times daily-no blood but regular lower abdominal cramps and urgency feeling starting to inhibit my lifestyle again. Tried taking mebeverine but felt worse. Trying to control pain with codeine/paracetamol in order to go out to work, but I am semi-retired and can organize the hours I do work. Don't know that mesalamine 1.2 is working as well for me, but equally scared to stop taking the medicine and finding myself back at square one."

• Ric...
• July 31, 2011

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "I used Canasa for 1 year, and it seemed to lessen my flare-ups. After one year, my prescription discount has run out and can't be renewed for 6 months. Since Canasa is VERY expensive, I'm not able to afford it. I've been off it for three weeks now and experiencing small flare-ups, severe fatigue, and cramping."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• May 25, 2010

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Rowasa is helpful for administering mesalamine to the rectum and lower portion of the colon; my ulcerative colitis is particularly active there (and the Asacol I take is gone before it gets that far). It is a good complement (for me) to the Asacol and prevents the blood that otherwise often shows up in my stool. It is rather messy, though. Administering it is a hassle; it tends to drip. They can give you mild cramps; however, these go away if you lie on your left side for a few minutes to allow the medicine to flow into and coat the lower colon (this works fine for me, as I use it before bed)."

• gar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 21, 2023

For Ulcerative Colitis "I am 77 years old and had been very healthy until three months ago when I had a very bad flare-up of UC. I experienced diarrhea, very bad cramps, and lots of mucus and blood. I was on the toilet over 10 times a day, sometimes for half an hour. I was that way for over a month. It was a horrible experience. My first G.I. prescribed me mesalamine, 1.2 grams, two times daily. After four days, I seemed to get worse, so I quit taking it for three days. I started to feel a little better, but I was in so much misery that it was hard to tell. I decided to try it again, but after a few days, it definitely was making me worse. The bad cramps were the worst part, and lots of blood in my stools was also scary. My first G.I. told me to come back in six weeks, so I decided to find a better G.I., and I did. My current G.I. took me off the mesalamine and immediately put me on a regimen of 40 mg of prednisone. He also ordered me to be tested for a C. diff infection, which I had. He then ordered 125 mg of vancomycin, four times a day. After a couple of weeks, I was feeling much better. I am weaning off steroids now and feeling good."

• cro...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 12, 2024

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have had a good experience with Pentasa. I have been on 4g a day for the last 10 years for Crohn's disease. I don't think I have any major side effects. I have been in remission, blood and scope wise, for years. I do have some symptoms, like cramps and upset stomach every now and then, and have to pace myself sometimes, but overall I'm happy with it. It's not completely perfect symptom wise, but I can live a decent life with it, so all good."

• prm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2024

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Proctitis "I've been using Canasa for more than a year, and I definitely see a difference whenever I miss a dosage, so I try to stay on schedule. It's easy to administer and stops the discharge and cramps. My current concern is that Avenue will no longer be making it, and getting through the pharmacy is not feasible for me since I can't afford it. I'm bracing myself for having severe cramping and discomfort along with discharge. Hoping the suspension for production is temporary. Such a shame that I found something to work, and due to financial constraints, I have to go back to square one. Just the same, I appreciate the time I had with relief."

• Haw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2015

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease "It caused severe cramps, nausea, and more bleeding. I went on a vegan diet with no processed foods and took aloe vera juice, instead, my ulcerative colitis cleared up within a few months."

• mn ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2012

Mesalamine for Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have been on Pentasa, 2 capsules 2x a day. First week, feel amazing to not have all-day tummy pain or cramping. Hope I have found something that will continue to work for me."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2014

Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis "I have taken Lialda for a month, and my symptoms have stopped. I have side effects of leg cramps. My Dr. did not know about this side effect. Makes me wonder about him."