Options Beyond Corticosteroids

Hello Everyone,

I've posted here a couple times - I'm newly diagnosed.  I've gone through a coloscopy, endoscopy, MRI Enterography and numerous blood tests.  I'm now going to the GI on Friday to come up with my "game plan".  I'm currently taking Pentasa 4 pills twice a day.  I'm very grateful to be able to say that I'm not in any physical pain and was a bit shocked with my diagnosis a month ago because I haven't experienced any symptoms beyond what I initially went to the doctors for - a pesky fissure that had been bothering me.  But my MRI does show "significant" inflammation in my small intestines where it meets the large intestine.  I'm wondering if I have any other medication options beyond steroids?  I'm very concerned about the side effects involved with taking steroids.  Of course, I will ask my doctor this very same question.  But, I would also like to get some input/advice from people here so I can present the doctor with some option ideas in case he doesn't give me any :)  Anyone out there that has had luck with medications for inflammation other than corticosteroids like Prednisone or Entocort??  Thanks in advance!

There are lots of options once the steroids start to reduce your inflamation but which one is right for you is up to you and your doctor to decide. The above mentioned link will give you a starting place to looking at what is available and what people's experience has been with those medications.
Keep in mind that anyone with a chronic inflamitory condition is likely to be on and off steroids at various points so you should probably familiarize yourself with the most likely side effects dosage scheduals etc.
Sj