Questions Answered By Expert
Sasha Taleban, MD
Arizona Health Sciences Center, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director of IBD Program
A: Thanks for your question. It’s difficult to say exactly what may be going on without having more information. If you’ve had a colonoscopy and your UC is controlled (i.e., there is no active inflammation), there may be other causes for your altered bowel movements. The constipation may be caused by medications, irritable bowel syndrome, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, etc. hide answer
A: This is a very common question. Currently, there is no data to suggest that the Paleo diet or concentrated juices are effective for ulcerative colitis flares. As far as probiotics, not all of them are considered the same. In mildly active ulcerative colitis, 2 specific probiotics may be useful. One probiotic, E. coli Nissle (aka Mutaflor, Ardeypharm) may be effective in putting you in and keeping you in remission for up to one year. The other probiotic called VSL#3, a combination of 8 probiotics, is effective in putting you in remission and possibly keeping you in remission for up to 6 months. hide answer
A: That’s interesting. Weight loss is uncommon in microscopic colitis. There may be several reasons for the weight loss. If the weight loss has occurred since you started the Specific Carb Diet (SCD), it may be due to the food restrictions from the SCD itself. In addition, it may be a good idea to get tested for celiac disease, which is more common in microscopic colitis, and pancreas problems. Both these disease processes are more likely to cause weight loss. hide answer
A: It’s always a good idea to gather information on a new medication that is being recommended. Entyvio is a biologic medication that binds a gut-specific protein that is important in causing inflammation. It is given as an intravenously (IV) infusion, a little more initially to induce remission, and then usually every 8 weeks for maintenance. Its safety profile so far seems to be better than the anti-TNF agents like Remicade and Humira. However, it looks like it can take longer to start working than those medications. I would speak to your provider for further details. You can also obtain more information on Entyvio from http://www.ccfa.org/resources/biologic-therapies.html. hide answer
A: Peripheral neuropathy has been rarely associated with mesalamine products like Pentasa. I don’t know if the discoloration and infection of your toe is related to the Pentasa though. I would check with your provider and ensure that other causes of tingling/numbness in your extremities, especially if these are a persistent symptom, are ruled out. hide answer