how to get flare under control

how to get flare under control - Prednisone?

jhicks

Regular Member

Joined : May 2009

Posts : 177

Posted 6/19/2012 1:48 PM (GMT 0)

Hi all,
I *think* I'm presently undergoing a flare. I've lost about 30 lbs since late Sept; 7 in the last week without trying. My Crohn's-related arthritis has me in tears most mornings, it hurts so much to walk. Colonoscoppy last month showed increased inflammation and GI wants to put me on Remi, which I am terrified of. My mom died of leukemia and I've already had a cancer scare just this year.

I just started taking LDN in addition to my Pentasa. But this last week I have, yesterday, especially, I couldn't even keep Ensure down. It's been years since i had an obstruction, and this feels differently than last time, but something is definitely not right.

ALL of the biololgics with their cancer risks scare the hell out of me.
Prednisone is also scary to me. I've never taken it, but my cousin was on it long-term and is now dependent on it. She has been hospitalized for most of the last 3 years with complications from it. She barely looks human, it has deformed her body so. (she did not have a diagnosis of crohn's - in fact they seem unsure what she has)

How have you typically gotten a flare under control? I think I need it to be under control for the LDN to have a chance.
When you're on Prednisone, how long are you usually on it? Could I be on it for a week or two, only?

kazbern

Veteran Member

Joined : May 2010

Posts : 8384

Posted 6/19/2012 2:41 PM (GMT 0)

You can't plan on taking pred for only two weeks. Most GIs start their patients at 40 or 60 mg/day and keep them there for a couple of weeks, or until the flare is gone. Then you start to taper down. That will not make you dependent. HOWEVER, if you are still suffering after 2 weeks at 40 mg, you SHOULD NOT TAPER. You should wait to taper until the flare is all gone, or almost gone. And then you should taper slowly, paying attention to your symptoms.

3-6 months on pred is not the end of the world. Not everyone has terrible side effects (not me, for example). And this kind of duration is not going to kill your adrenals. Beyond a few months? Yes, that is worrisome. But prednisone is very effective at inducing remission.

One more note: it will not relieve a stricture due to scarring, only inflammation.

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