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Entocort vs. Prednisone

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/1/2011 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
What are your experiences with these in regards to side effects? My GI wants to put me on pred, which I absolutely refuse. I gained 100 pounds last time (7 years ago) and have just this year lost 75 of that. I will not take pred unless it's life or death. He said entocort is also a steroid, but with less side effects. I remember on pred having night sweats every night, mood swings, and of course the weight gain, even after stopping it (though part of that may have been depression from gaining so much so quickly). Is Entocort really that much better? If weight gain is a probability, I just can't do it. My mental health cannot handle weight gain right now.
Posted 1/1/2011 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
It has been awhile for me, but the side effects are definately less on endo for me, but they are longer acting.
Posted 1/1/2011 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking max dose of Entocort since March.  I have a bit of a rash, and I still continue to lose weight, fear of eating will do that I guess.  Everyone is different.  But the side effects for ento are much less in almost everyone.  Most definitely worth a shot over pred.
Posted 1/1/2011 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, Entocort is definitely better. However, Entocort takes a few weeks to fully kick in AND it works best only for those who have Crohn's confined to the terminal ileum. It might increase your appetite a bit, but nothing like pred - my daughter was ravenous on pred, but OK on Entocort.
Posted 1/1/2011 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
Pred made me crazy and although I do not like being on any steroid, I am taking Entocort virtually symptom free. It seems that the Entocort is really working for me.
Dave
Posted 1/1/2011 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
I took Entocort without any real problem. The worst side effect I had was dry mouth and had a couple of cavities. I didn't gain any weight on it and was on it for almost 4 motnhs. Though you need to be careful about taking Calcium supplements with it.

My last adventure on Prednisone had me running up the walls because it made me so crazy. I think there was a week I got 4 hours of sleep in 7 days it made me so nutty. I had to taper off because life with the flare was not nearly as bad as life on Pred...
Posted 1/1/2011 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
I think I'm currently in a flare. I have a scope on Friday to confirm and if he sees evidence of CD, his plan is Entocort and Imuran. I also worry about the mood swings because I'm bipolar (very stable currently, medicated). I don't want anything to rock that boat. I'm on Apriso for maintenance of CD. And dicyclomine was added last week. The past few nights, I've been getting night sweats. I don't know if that's a side effect of CD or what's going on, but I can't blame it on steroids since I'm not on any yet.
Posted 1/1/2011 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Im on my first ever course of Pred and I haven't really had any of the nasty side effects I've read about...yet anyway. Haven't had any problems sleeping either which I was very worried about.

Was on Entocort for 2 months and didnt notice any sife effects whatsoever, but it didn't really do a whole lot to help my disease.
Posted 1/1/2011 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
I had WAY less side effects from Entocort than Pred. I say give it a shot, it could help to get you feeling better. Hugs!

PS The Dicyclomine might be causing the sweats????
Posted 1/1/2011 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
I wondered about the dicyc. causing the sweats. They seemed to start shortly after I started taking it. I hate waking up soaking wet and freezing from being wet.
Posted 1/2/2011 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
@tsitodawg - Yep, I'm a dentist! It's possible to end up with root canals due to long term steroid use (dry mouth from Entocort or decrease calcium intake from Pred). Though the jaw infection (osteomyelitis?) is a multifactorial problem. Most likely caused by the perfect storm of immunosuppresion from meds for the Crohn's and the cavities caused by the dry mouth of Entocort.


The worst side effect of Entocort is a decrease in Calcium absorption which can cause osteoporosis over time.

The worst side effect for my field (dental) is dry mouth, or xerostomia (caused by a LOT of meds we Crohnies take). Over time, it can cause cavities or gum disease. My recommendation is drinking a lot of water, chewing sugar free gum, or using Biotene (or a combo of all 3).

Definately keep up with oral hygeine (brushing and flossing) while using Entocort because doctors will not tell you that you're at an increased risk of cavities from using the steroids. I'd recommend you double your oral hygeine and try to decrease sugar intake. And never use soda if your mouth is dry!!!!!
Posted 1/2/2011 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Entocort since last April. I am weened down now to 2 pills and will probably be weenng down to 1 this month when I see the dr. It has been a miracle for me. I have had no side effects from it.
Posted 1/6/2011 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm starting Entocort today. I really appreciate all these comments!
Posted 1/7/2011 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hope it works for you & you get feeling better! It's worth a try!
Entocort was the first steroid my daughter ever took. She was started on entocort for that fact, that it had less side effects. No side effects comparable to prednisone for sure but unfortunately entocort did not work for her. Nasty ole Pred is the only thing that works for her & she has also made up her mind that she will never take it again!
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