NOT TAKING YOUR MEDICINE: TOO OFTEN THE REASON FOR A FLARE

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are life-long diseases that usually require medicine, a careful diet and / or surgery to keep them under control. When they are not under control, that is, when the disease flares, there's usually more damage occurring to the intestinal tract. So it's surprising when patients don't take their prescribed medicines—even though they may understand that not taking their medicines makes them more likely to need surgery. 

Reasons Some Patients Don't Take Their Medicines

• New patients are less likely to take their medicines. That may be because patients who have had their disease longer understand how bad they can feel or they've had surgery and want to avoid more surgery and complications
• Men and younger patients are typically the ones who don't take their medicines. Sometimes that's thought to be because, in general, they think they are tougher or they tend to ignore their illnesses for longer.
• Those who are working full-time. They may find it hard to arrange time for their medical appointments.
• Those who can't afford their medicines. They may be embarrassed to seek assistance programs or may be unsuccessful in their efforts.
• Those who are supposed to take more than 4 medicines. Taking so many medicines can be hard to schedule. And just the thought of taking so many seems to bother people.
• Those on medicines that they have to take several times a day. They may take some of the doses, but not all.  
• Those who are severely depressed. They may have difficulty getting themselves to take their medicines or eat properly.

What You Can Do

• Use a checklist, reminders in your phone or on a calendar
• Fill a pill holder or pillbox every week
• Join a support group where you can learn about your disease and learn from others about tricks they use to remember and motivate them to take their medicines
• Use this website to get the information that will convince you how important your medicines are. And let us know what else you want to learn more about
• Find someone at your doctor's office or in a Crohn's or Colitis organization who can answer your questions with real knowledge about the disease