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Patient Stories

If you sometimes feel down about your ulcerative colitis (UC),
that's understandable. Perhaps you recently found out that
you have UC and you are worried about what the future may hold.

It may help to know that there are plenty of people who felt the same way as you but are now living active, healthy and fulfilling lives, despite UC.

Meet Becky, who participated in a clinical trial for Lialda. Becky P., age 40— "I could not believe taking medication (Lialda) once a day would help as much as it did." Click here to watch a video of Becky's experiences Meet Cheryl, who took charge of her Ulcerative Colitis. Cheryl H., age 60— "I finally feel good, and want to help other people who suspect they may have ulcerative colitis." Meet Marcia who, with a family history of UC, learns that taking once-daily Lialda regularly helps control flare-ups. Marcia B., age 54— "The medication is effective for me and I feel relief knowing my condition is under control." Meet Marla, who struggled with UC for 20 years before finding successful treatment with Lialda. Marla R., age 54— "The best part was that I no longer experienced symptoms that had been so debilitating in the past." Meet Shannon, who wants others to understand ulcerative colitis and how it can disrupt a person's life if treatment isn't always followed properly. Shannon D., age 32— "Because I struggled to comply with past medication regimens, my physician felt that Lialda™ (mesalamine), the most-recent FDA-approved, once-daily oral medication, might be an effective option for my lifestyle and disease." Meet Andréa, an individual with UC, and learn about her experiences managing UC before Lialda became available. Andréa R., age 34— "A once-daily medication would help me feel like I was back in control."

One Lialda Patient's Experience
Becky P., age 40

UC Managing My Life
I have been suffering with ulcerative colitis for most of my life. It has been a part of who I am for over 28 years. As an adult, I spent most of my 20's and 30's untreated and in constant flares. Sometimes the flares lasted as long as one month, during which I'd find myself going to the bathroom multiple times per day. UC has kept me from experiencing so many of life's gifts like traveling, dining out and even taking my children to the park. Over the years I have tried various medications to treat UC. For a period of time, I was on large doses of steroids and taking multiple pills three to four times per day. Taking the pills seemed to consume my life—my next dosage was constantly on my mind.

Me Managing My Life
A couple of years ago, I decided to enter into a study for a once-daily UC medication. To my surprise, I found what I had been searching for. I could not believe taking medication once a day would help as much as it did. Lialda^™ (mesalamine) brought my disease into remission, and I had no flares while I was in the Lialda trial. It's very exciting to hear that Lialda received FDA approval and is available. It helped me so much, and I am thrilled to think about how Lialda could help so many other people suffering with UC by providing an easier dosing regimen.

Click here to watch a video of Becky's experiences

This story suggests how Lialda may work for some people. Please see Important Safety Information for Lialda.

One UC Patient's Experience
Cheryl H., age 60

Ulcerative Colitis Managing My Life
More than six years ago, on the day of my oldest daughter's wedding, I was battling uncomfortable abdominal pain and struggling to find food that agreed with me. A friend gave me Imodium, which helped ease my discomfort; however, I couldn't help but suspect the symptoms could be more serious than just a mix of nerves and excitement about my daughter's wedding. Taking charge of my health, I scheduled a visit with my physician for the following week.

My physician then diagnosed me with ulcerative colitis and prescribed a medication intended to manage the flare-ups. On average, I was experiencing three to four flares a year. Although I was still enduring occasional flare-ups and had lost 20 pounds, I continued with the prescribed treatment plan for six years. Unfortunately I was not very good about taking all my medication and missed some doses during those six years.

When I experienced a flare-up, I didn't attempt to leave the house as it was too stressful to not be near my own bathroom. During a flare-up, my daily routine was put on hold or rearranged to accommodate my health. I was forthcoming with friends and my boss about my disease, so they would understand my reasons for repeatedly canceling plans or rescheduling meetings.

Earlier this year (2007), I approached my physician about additional treatment options. It seemed as though I was experiencing more days with flare-ups than without. I was struggling with the treatment plan that included nine pills a day and hoped he would recommend a regimen that would be easier for me to follow.

Recognizing that I aimed to be symptom-free but was struggling with compliance, my physician prescribed Lialda^™ (mesalamine).

Me Managing My Life
I finally feel good and want to help other people who suspect they may have ulcerative colitis. I now only take two pills once a day and the simpler dosing regimen has made it easy for me to stay compliant.

Unfortunately, there is a stigma associated with this disease, and as a result, many patients feel ashamed and embarrassed about it. Keeping ulcerative colitis a secret can be stressful, but with greater public understanding, patients may feel more acceptance and less alone.

This story is one person’s experience. Please see Important Safety Information for Lialda.

One UC Patient's Experience
Marcia B., age 54

Ulcerative Colitis Managing My Life
I was very familiar with the impact of ulcerative colitis, as this digestive disease runs in my extended family. For most of my life, I've had an uneasy stomach, but it was not until I was 41 years old when I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

The initial medication I was prescribed effectively managed my symptoms; however, I wasn’t able to tolerate the medicine and I had to stop taking it. Uncomfortable and disruptive flare-ups motivated me to work with my physician to find another treatment option that would get my symptoms under control.

When I followed my medication regimen, I felt good and was symptom-free, and when I was not compliant, my symptoms were aggravated. My medication plan included 12 pills each day, and I often found myself forgetting to take doses.

Before special occasions such as my daughter's wedding, I took all precautions to avoid a flare-up. I have tried to prevent the disease from keeping me from living my life to the fullest. This has been a challenge, but I persevere and keep a positive attitude, which I believe helps me stay active. As a mother of four daughters and as a successful occupational therapist, I have a busy schedule and commitments that must be fulfilled.

Recognizing that my goal was to be symptom-free, yet compliance was always challenging for me, my physician prescribed Lialda™ (mesalamine), a new FDA-approved, once-daily oral ulcerative colitis medication.

Me Managing My Life
The medication is effective for me and I feel relief knowing my condition is under control.

This disease is always in the back of my mind, but I've learned to adjust my life so I can function with the symptoms. But these days, I take my medication as prescribed and am asymptomatic, so having a flare-up is less of a concern than ever before.

I'm sharing my personal story of living with ulcerative colitis because I want others to understand the disease and what patients endure. There is a stigma associated with ulcerative colitis, and as a result, many patients feel ashamed and embarrassed about their disease. Keeping the disease a secret can be stressful, but with increased public awareness, ulcerative colitis patients may feel more acceptance and less alone.

This story is one person’s experience. Please see Important Safety Information below.

One UC Patient's Experience
Marla R., age 54

UC Managing My Life
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) approximately 20 years ago. Prior to my diagnosis, I had no idea what was wrong with me and why my life was changing. I was constantly fatigued and lost weight due to my fear of eating. I was spending more time in the bathroom than anywhere else. I became anxious about venturing out of my house or anywhere too far from a bathroom.

Before being diagnosed with UC, my husband and I along with our two boys were very active and enjoyed traveling. Living with UC caused me to be reluctant to travel or to participate in normal family activities. In general, I was a very unhappy woman. I experienced an increase in stress and my interpersonal relationships often suffered.

After meeting with a gastroenterologist, I was prescribed a medication that required several doses a day. It was a hassle because at times I was so busy or involved in my work that I forgot to take the pills. At one frightening point, I began to notice that I was losing my hair. I was concerned that the hair loss might be related to my medication.

Me Managing My Life
Thankfully, my gastroenterologist was determined to find the best treatment for me. Per his recommendation, I decided to participate in a clinical trial of a once-daily UC medication, which came to be called Lialda™ (mesalamine). My experience was positive and, most importantly, successful. My hair grew back and I have not had additional hair loss since. The best part was that I no longer experienced symptoms that had been so debilitating in the past. I was able to live my normal life again, traveling, spending time with my family and just being my old self.

I was very disappointed when the study ended because I was no longer able to take the medication. I look forward to taking Lialda again. I would encourage other UC patients to talk to their physicians about treatment options.

This story is one person’s experience. Please see Important Safety Information below.

One UC Patient's Experience
Shannon D., age 32

Ulcerative Colitis Managing My Life
I lived with symptoms of ulcerative colitis for years before receiving an official diagnosis. I kept my constant trips to the bathroom a secret from everyone because I was embarrassed and unsure of what they signified about my overall health. The secrecy became stressful and I feared someone would discover what I was experiencing. After becoming very anemic while in high school, my physician evaluated my condition and referred me to a gastroenterologist who determined the anemia was a result of ulcerative colitis.

I felt some relief finally knowing why I had experienced such frequent bowel movements. After the diagnosis, I was ready to work with a specialist to devise a treatment plan. Unfortunately, I was frustrated searching for a physician that met my needs.

At one time, a physician prescribed a treatment that required I take nine pills per day. Taking that many pills that often was extremely difficult for me, and as a result, I often missed doses. I attempted to follow the treatment plan, yet experienced almost no improvement in my condition.

My life was being controlled by my ulcerative colitis medications—I was worrying about when to take the pills and if I'd taken all of them.

Me Managing My Life
Eventually, I found a gastroenterologist who listens closely to my concerns, and works with me to determine how best to manage my disease. I take two pills each morning before leaving for work and have been able to control my flare-ups. Because I struggled to comply with past medication regimens, my physician felt that Lialda™ (mesalamine), the FDA-approved, once-daily oral medication, might be an effective option for my lifestyle and disease.

Although my symptoms have improved, I still find comfort being prepared for a potential flare-up. I know how stressful it can be when I'm experiencing a flare-up and must use the restroom, but cannot find the facilities. I know that feeling of panic all too well. Today I have to find the bathroom wherever I am before I can feel truly at ease.

I started telling others about my condition a few years ago. I felt it was easier to explain the truth than try to live in secrecy. Today I speak freely about my personal experience of living with ulcerative colitis because I want others to understand this digestive disease and how it can disrupt a person's life, if not treated. I also don't want other ulcerative colitis patients to feel as though they have something to be ashamed of—because they don't.

This story is one person’s experience. Please see Important Safety Information below.

One UC Patient's Experience
Andréa R., age 34

UC Managing My Life
My UC diagnosis came my senior year in college and took over all aspects of my college life. My grades slipped, I wasn't able to spend time hanging out with my friends, and I missed out on a huge part of my college experience. Then, it hindered me professionally because I was scared to take any job that required extensive travel. I let UC take over my life for the first three to five years. I did not schedule vacations, or go on camping trips with friends because I was too afraid of having a flare or being too sick on the trip. I often did not take my medication, or would forget the afternoon and evening dosage. I did not manage the disease, but let it manage me. There were many months I did not want to take any medication because I finally felt healthy—taking the medication just reminded me that I was sick. I went from doctor to doctor to get a "quick fix" to stay flare free. I finally realized that until I took my medication as prescribed, along with watching what foods and emotional stresses triggered flares, I would never win over my UC.

Me Managing My Life
I'm working on that right now, but it's not always easy. I joined the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, started volunteering, and began sharing what was really going on with me. I also decided to work with my doctors to find what the right medications were for me, and I'm trying my best to stay compliant—even when I start to feel better. It's a constant struggle though. It's easiest to take my medications in the morning, because that's when I'm taking my vitamins. Somehow that makes it feel like I'm in control and the medication is just "helping" me to get through my day. When I have to try to remember at lunchtime and in the evening, however, it starts to make me feel like the UC is trying to control me...a once-daily medication would help me feel like I was back in control.

This story is one person’s experience. Please see Important Safety Information below.

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