HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Entocort--Not Working?

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/15/2013 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
I've been on entocort for 9 days.  It is my first time taking it.  I still have night sweats and low grade fever.  I still awaken at 5am with gas and urgency followed by explosive formed soft, tan bm.  If I take 2 immodium I often will not have another BM.  Cramps have improved, appetite is sometimes good.  Weight loss has stopped.  Fatigue is still present. 

After 6 days on entocort, GI wanted me to switch to 60 mg of pred.  He felt I was not improving enough.  I told him I wanted to give it a few more days.  I speak to him again tomorrow.

I've been on prednisone 2x--the last time was a year ago.  It took about 8-9 days to kick in and took forever to taper.  I would like to avoid it--if possible.

Is it time to abandon entocort and take prednisone or should I wait a little longer? 

Thanks for sharing your information and opinions.  It makes me feel less alone.

 

Posted 7/15/2013 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
If it took 8-9 days for Pred to kick in, it sounds like you are steroid-resistant. Some people just don't respond to steroids, or poorly and slowly if they do. Entocort isn't any better: in fact it doesn't work quite as well or fast as Pred does.

Really would advise not going on 60mg Pred because, bluntly, I don't see what at all good it's going to do you at this stage. It's far too dangerous a drug to stay on, so you'll just go through the nightmare of trying to get off it all over again, risk getting one of Pred's many, many health complications, and build up an even greater resistance to the drug. You need to look into other meds, diet, or surgery. If meds or diet aren't viable, then it's probably time for surgery.

Sorry to lay it on the line. I just get frustrated at GIs who'd rather keep their desperately ill patients on steroids for years rather than consider surgery.
Posted 7/15/2013 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
I think you should give Entocort some time to kick in. When I was first put on pred, it took me 11 days for it to start its effect. I was tapering pred when I started Entocort, so I can't recall how much did it take to kick in. Entocort is a life saver and I have been on it for 1 year and 7 months now. Definitely, I won't recommend your staying on it for such a long time. At least, give it a try until you find a more appropriate treatment.
Hope you feel better soon :)
Posted 7/16/2013 4:19 AM (GMT 0)
It didn't work for me either.
Posted 7/16/2013 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies.  I am feeling much better.  Dr. added Flagyl to the mix because of an abscess.  Perhaps entocort and flagyl will be my magic bullet.  Now to put on some weight!  
Posted 7/17/2013 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
Steroids do have a place in CD treatment. I have had success with both Entocort and Prednisone to treat significant inflammation. The key is to have a strategy once you start tapering to lower doses. I had great success tapering off pred and immediately starting Humira to remain in remission. You may need to tweak your maintenance meds.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply