Activia or Entocort?

[RunIBD]

Hi all,

Had my GI appt. last Tuesday (and the doc was actually very attentive and informative - what a relief!). I was given the Rx for Entorcort, which I had filled the next morning and started right away. Rewind to approx. two weeks prior: Out of desperation I started eating Activia (probiotic yogurt) a couple times a day during the work week, and occasionally on the weekend.

Here's the question: Within the first DAY of taking the Entocort, there was improvement. Less time spent in the water closet, and the time spent was far less severe with the "D". So... What came first? The Activia or the Entocort? Or both?

Any similar stories out there?

I don't really care one way or the other - I'm just grateful to see some improvement!!

Thanks!

[ant]

Dear RunIBD

That is good you had a listening GI.

That is a quick result, if even for Entocort. But there are lots of ups and downs with MC.

I have forgotten did you also go Gluten free?

Unless I am mistaken Activia is diary and so has Casein in it, which for most of us here is a cause of, not solution to, the problem. So if I was to place a bet I would put back Entocort.

All the best, ant

[Gloria]

I agree with Ant. That is pretty fast for Entocort, but dairy is a problem for most of us. Some here have had a very quick response with Entocort.

I have an expression: "Never underestimate the power of Entocort." It has a very good track record for those who can tolerate it.

Gloria

[sarkin]

We can never know for sure. I would bet with Ant, on the Entocort. Probiotics don't seem to help most of us, and some probiotics seem to send people in the wrong direction. I've used many probiotics in the past, but find that most of them have ingredients that are not safe for me, since MC came into my life.

One thought - if Activia did help to restore your gut flora, then its job might be done. I think there's no risk in discontinuing it, but there is a possible risk in continuing it. Dairy is hard to digest even for "normal" guts, and a large number of us here simply cannot tolerate the casein in any form. You might be among those who do tolerate it, but it will be hard to know for sure while you are taking Entocort - and you may as well give Entocort all the help it needs to get you back on track.

One size does not fit all - I take a super-cautious approach, and dairy is definitely not good for me. I think the opportunity of the Entocort is too important to 'waste' on a high-risk food like dairy, while you're getting back on track.

Fantastic news that you're getting results so quickly, whatever the reason!

Keep us posted,
Sara

[RunIBD]

I'll be sure to give an update. Going to get my blood work done this week, and will get results w/in 2-3 weeks. He's having them check for lupus (SLE), celiac sprue (though he found no evidence of that in the colonoscopy), and Crohn's (some familial history). I'll update on that too...