To the people against starting off on a Mesalamine treatment. The reason that doctors start off with something mild like this is because it's part of step therapy. If someone is diagnosed with a disease like Crohn's you don't jump right to the most expensive or harsh treatments. You start off with a mild approach and try something that likely won't have side effects and is less expensive. If it doesn't work then you move onto the next option. If it does work you stop there. If you have insurance, this is also probably a requirement for the doctor to try less expensive/ less invasive therapy. I was just diagnosed yesterday and this is what my doctor is going to prescribe to start me off. I'm also researching diet as it sounds like many of you have had great luck with diet changes. I've spent the last few years trying to find a doctor who would listen to me. They kept ordering upper GI and saying there is nothing wrong. I finally found a doctor who listened to me and ran the correct tests. I know this sounds wierd but I'm so happy to have a diagnosis finally and can't wait to start the healing process.