Have you refused Prednisone treatment?

I do use Pred when flaring. But I will tell you I do tell the docs I will start no higher than 30 mg. Anything over that gives me too many side effects. I also prefer to do quick bursts vs 3 mos or more on it. My quick bursts can be anywhere from 10 days to 30 days. I seem to do better like that. JMHO

crybabee.....Why do you think that since your crohns disease is in your small bowel that most medicines WONT work? Aactually, Crohns ins the small intestine are the most common, its crohns in the COLON thats more rare, Crohns Colitis. I think you got it mixed up.


I used to actually get mad inside my head that people didnt like prednisone, I would say why dont they take it, it works! I thought in my head well they say they go through this but 'it must not be that bad or severe of a illness for them then' but honestly afterreading this and Ivy....(hey Ivy hows it going?) and everyone elses, I agree, it can be hard on some, and not even work for others, for that reason I agree that after actually trying it and it not working and showing a history of it or it being to must I think you should show a history. And most insurance companies in the States would want you or most people to actually try most if not all of the 'cheaper' meds then the high end VIP excetive medicines.

I think everyone has there reasons for choossing what they choice, especially in Health Care. Just like she left the hospital but that means she felt fine to, we each know if we're able to leave the hospital or not, we're in a safe place, why would we leave it we didnt think we'd be ok? Honestly people wouldnt leave without feeling safe enough.

Good post.

Dinkydee,

You may have a few achy joint days the first day or two after a taper, till your body adjusts to the dose change , but usually (not always) the side effects minimize as you go down.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*

To all: an update---

I was stubborn. I gave in. I was able to see my old dr and he put me on 40 mg of prednisone and I start Humira ASAP. I reached rock bottom and I am ready to take a bit more control of my disease with medical treatment. Its been 6 months that I was on LDN and doing the "all natural" holistic route and its been the worst 6 months of my Crohn's ever. Well, it was worth a try. Looks like in my case, I can't survive without medicine. Humira - I pray you work for me - and cause me no harm along the way!

Thank you guys for all your support and opinions. Your advice to get the prednisone was an encouragement for me to make the right move.

Laury, I don't think there's necessarily any harm in experimenting. You have worked out, for yourself, that you are someone who really does need to take medicine, and now you can take that medicine and have peace with your decision.

Well done, and good luck with the pred and Humira. I hope it works wonders for you!

Please do keep us up to date on how you're going,

Ivy.

Elexis I too prefer Entocort. It has way fewer side effects. But it takes a little longer in me to work, more like a week. I have learned over the years that I don't need to take Prednisone in high doses for long periods of time. I seem to do okay with a 10 to 30 day time frame and no more than 30 mg.

RA&CD132010: I actually tried Humira before my resection was on it a few months but did nothing for my crohn's but in all honesty I needed the surgery, the Humira did give me Drug induced lupus Which was just wonderful..EHehhEH...

elexis
I was on remicade, and it did the same thing for me, induce RA. But I've done my starter dosage of Humira on Friday and back on Imuran for 2 weeks all the RA is almost all gone (just little bit of pain, nothing like last week, or the week before that) Did you take any other med with Humira, MTX or Imuran? I was told taking either meds could prevent those side effects. Are you doing better since the surgery? For some reason, I am not able to do this, maybe because of where the CD is located.

Hope your doing better.

RA&CD132010: Yes I took my regular medication Imuran and Asacol as well....Resection surgery did me wonders..For now! U can't have a resection done?? I hope the Humira works out for u I hear GREAT things about it. I hope u feel better soon!

I am hoping the Humira works for me too!!!!!!!!! I have great hope this time around. Trying to stay positive and keep an open mind. I'll tell you what though - its been 5 days since giving into prednisone and I'm doing great! Oh the wonders of Pred! I am eating like a little heffer and have gained 5lbs already - this is good though because I was down to 90lb and starting to look very weak and anorexic looking. I am kind of taking advantage of the wonders of prednisone and just eating everything I can intake....haha. It feels just wonderful. Milkshakes every night for me:)

Yes I am getting (or at least hope I still am) sphincter repair surgery next week. I went in for a fissure removal last year and the surgeon took the liberty without my consent to start repair on a fistula. This was a very superficial recto-vaginal fistula that I had for years which was dormant and never needed care and I told her specifically to disregard it while she was down there. While I was under she decided against my word to slice it open and get it ready for a fistula plug, placing a very painful draining seton in. All the while, cutting through all my muscle, damaging me forever. 3 surgeries later promising me she did no muscle damage and assuring me it will heal, I am fully incontinent. I thought Crohn's was bad enough. I'm 26, travel an hour and a half to work to NYC, work with snobby insensitive designers, desk is far from a bathroom, in a new relationship...just in constant fear of where the bathroom is - and way more then what I was used to before the botched surgery - it is such a struggle for me everyday to make it through. Sad enough its been almost a year like this and its starting to feel of the norm. Hopefully surgery will not be canceled and I can get somewhat of my life back. Fingers crossed!!!!

Oh you poor dear!! Please tell me that doctor isn't going to do the surgery!!! You need to see a real doctor -- not a butcher! I had a bad experience with a surgeon that nearly killed me, but when I got in with real doctors, it made all the difference in the world for my health. If the doctor was that imcompetant before, she will continue to be incompetant. Don't let her experiment on you!!

Also, if you haven't already, I think you also need to see a real medical malpractice lawyer. I am!

The surgeon knew I was in despair after the first surgery mishap but she just kept reassuring me things would heal over time and I trusted her word and allowed her to continue working on me. 3 surgeries later, no tests done to check muscle damage, and more damage then I knew I had - I went to get a 2nd opinion at Cleveland Clinic. There they did actual tests on me for the first time and showed complete damage. Even the dr's there were stunned at what she did. She is going to know what she did to me- It is not something I wanted to do as a person but then I started to realize how my life will never be the same because of her wrong-doing. It just wasn't right. I don't want it to happen to someone else. Its taking some time and alot of patience but I have all the faith in the world that I will come out on top.