June
I am going to try and stay on point here because this really needs to be about
you. The majority of medications that are being mentions like the 5 asa drugs, immuran, remicade, ect... Those are medications that are typically used as maintenance drugs. Typically when a person is in a severe flare of any type of inflammatory ailment, some type of steroid or anti inflammatory medication is used to control the flare and then a maintenance medication is added. Prednisone is by no means an easy medication to use but when used in a short period of time it can provide a huge relief.
I have used every single one of the previous mentioned medications and can tell you that by no means is there a medication that is easy and without side effects. The only approved medication that I have not been on is Tsabri and that is probably the next step for me. Remicade and cimzia were the most effective for me and I have returned to Remicade and being on it every 4 weeks at the max dose of 10 but only receive little relief. That being said, what has worked for me will not work for every person suffering from this disease.
Do not let youself be scared away from using the previously mentioned medications because of things you read or hear about
. Trust your doctors and realize that there are going to be side effects to every single medication. Sometimes it takes using a medication like prednisone so that other medications will be effective for you in the long run. It sound like you could really use some relief and that is why I am surprised that you doctors have not put you on prednisone or entocort. Yes there are some people that become dependant on steroids but that is only because it is usually the only medication that can keep the flare under control. If they are on long term steroids that typically means that they have failed other maintenance medications and their doctors are looking for one that will help them. The same could be said about
any other medication that is meant to help severe symptoms like pain medication. I use hydrocodone every day because as of the moment I can not find a medication that will take away even half of the arthritis and abdominal pain. I do not get a high from it but I do get some relief. That would make me dependent on it until my doctors can find something to help me get into remission.
Crohn's is not a short race but more of a marathon. Sometimes you have to use short burst of medications to get ahead but still find other strength (maintenance meds)to maintain your endurance of remission. Everyone has different combinations of medications and diets that work best for them and the best thing that you can do is be the strongest advocate in keeping on course of finding the right one for you. In the meantime, tell you doctors how much this is affecting your life and ask them for something to help. If they offer prednisone fine, if they suggest a smaller crohn's med like a 5 asa fine. Just try and find the one that works for you and if the one they offer does not work ask for another. Do not settle for failure.
Post Edited (tsitodawg) : 2/27/2010 2:09:48 AM (GMT-7)