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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/1/2008 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
HELLO all, me again.

Ive been on prednisone the last month and im wondering if what i am about to say is normal because im starting to feel a bit unwell and am wondering should i bother the doc.

My stomach has swelled to huge proportions. I mean i look pregnant. Its also very hard to the touch.  I have been going the toilet ok and my stools are not soft; they are rock hard. Its very uncomfortable alltogether. I also cant stop eating even though its very uncomfortable because my belly is big and hard and feels full yet im still hungry. At the moment its the size of my stomach that is worrying me. I am failry thin; i weigh 119 ounds and am 5foot 5 inches.

Posted 10/1/2008 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Are you tapering off of the Prednisone? What dose are you on these last couple days?

I don't know if what I'm experiencing is the same thing, but I am tapering down from a 40mg/day dose started in August. I am down to 2.5mg these last three days, and let me tell you - I think that I could fuel my own hot-air balloon! The gas is just unbelievable!!! It is not foul-smelling, but there is a LOT, and it is painful. My belly is protruding an extra few inches because of this gas I think. And I have very sharp pains along the top of my abdomen, usually right around the bottom of my ribs. Other than that, my bowel movements are very tolerable/normal. And I don't know if it's relevant, but I'm just a little bigger than you - 5'7'', 125lbs - and even at 2.5mg I'm still eating like a little piggy.

I would definitely still call the doc though, especially if you're NOT passing gas, as there may be a different cause to your pain. Good luck with everything! I'll be thinking about ya today.
Posted 10/1/2008 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
THANKS patientspiders. Im like a hot air ballon myselF trouble is there is no air escaping!
Im on 20mg having tapered down from 40mg. Ive no pain its just pure uncomfortable and my breathing is very heavy; and im fairly small built and never had trouble with breathing before.
Posted 10/1/2008 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
If you feel that big, and nothing is escaping, I think it's probably time to call the doc for sure. Especially if you're having trouble breathing.
Posted 10/1/2008 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Perhaps you have a obstruction going on that is causing yooou to bloat . Call your Dr. about it and see what you are supposed to do he might want a abdominal X-ray to make sure you have no obstructions or narrowed places. lol gail
Posted 10/2/2008 10:21 AM (GMT 0)
IM Still undecided as to what to do. Im not in any pain. I think ill give it until the weekend and if it hasnt calmed down ill go the doc. thanks for your advice.
Stupid clothes are starting not to fit over my bump now :(
Posted 10/2/2008 11:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I know the feeling I often miss my flat tummy days seems the only time it's flat is when I was in the hospital. My figure sure isn't what it used to be. lol gail
Posted 10/2/2008 3:52 PM (GMT 0)

Prednisone, good drug for what it does but horrible for it's side effects (at least for me).  On and off this stuff for years and it scares the hell outa me.  I would puff up like a balloon, swollen feet, legs, retaining fluid like crazy.  Had to sleep (when i could) with my feet elevated so i could pee some of the retained fluid away.  Also pred has given me, osteoporosis, cataract surgery for both eyes, a full set of dentures because no matter how much brushing a flossing i still lost all my own teeth.  I have heard other horror stories about pred as well, fluid collecting around the heart etc..

I am not on it now and hopefully never again.  I will be starting remicade very shortly and am hoping for great things, i have heard lots of good news about it from other users.  It HAS to be better than pred.

Posted 10/2/2008 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know. I don't think I'd like being that bloated and my stomach feeling real hard. That alone might be enough for me to give the doc a call.
Posted 10/2/2008 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
There are several possible problems that could cause that effect from peritonitis to pancreatitis to obstruction to colonic volvulous to outpouching of the abdominal aorta to gallstones and others. Definitely get it checked.
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