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Posted 6/25/2008 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I am new with UC!  Using Canasa 1000 for 3 weeks for UC - little left sided but mostly rectal.  It is getting better slowly.  Doc called today to ask me how it was going and mentioned adding prednisone and/or Asacol? 

Any experience with prednisone - he said "short burst".

ElaineNY

 

Post Edited By Moderator (Red_34) : 6/25/2008 6:03:59 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2008 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
If you are getting better on Canasa, you might not want to attempt pred. There are many side effects. Asacol is more of the same medication as the Canasa - only used orally - and would be distributed higher in the colon. I would try the Asacol first over the pred. However, if you're looking for quick results, pred can give them. It might be worth a discussion with your doc about the pros and cons of using pred - even in a short burst.

Possible prednisone side effects: bone loss, moon face, mood swings, water retention, tooth sensitivity, thinning skin... All of these (except bone loss) will go away after being off of the prednisone.

Also, please shorten your signature to 10 lines or less - including space - to conserve bandwith. Thanks!
Posted 6/25/2008 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
Oh - What about increasing the Canasa to two or three times a day? If your symptoms are mainly rectal, this may help more than anything.

Just another question for the doc!
Posted 6/25/2008 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with dakotagirl. If I were you I would consider asking doc to try canasa twice a day instead of once and try asacol, even a big dose of asacol before trying prednisone. Research some more and then ask yor doctor. Good luck, Bellski
Posted 6/25/2008 2:16 AM (GMT 0)

dakotagirl - you should have those instructions on profile page.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.  And, I totally agree. I am well aware of prednisone side effects and long term problems as my husband has taken it a few times for COPD and broncitis, etc. 

I do believe when I see the gastro doc in 2 weeks I will ask to try to Asacol pills as I do have a little left-sided discomfort and he said it was possible a little beyond help from Canasa.  I do believe he may have suggested possible prednisone on the phone as he knows I NEED knee replacement surgery as soon as I can get in remission.  I am in a great deal of knee pain from both knees being bone on bone.

ElaineNY

Post Edited By Moderator (Red_34) : 6/25/2008 6:03:33 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/25/2008 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
dakotagirl - to answer your question about using Canasa more than once a day - I cannot retain them when not lying down for about 20 min. It would be difficult but not impossible I suppose.  You may know that he suggested the enemas but I can't literally "reach" to use them.  (obese and arthritis)  Elaine

Posted 6/25/2008 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
I was just placed on prednisone for "quick results". My doctor said that I would notice a big change within 2 or 3 days. It has now been 4 days and no change. Should I be concerned?
Posted 6/25/2008 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
If you are getting better with the meds you are on now then the doc will more than likely not put you one prednisone. If for some reasone he does you will taper off slowly. There are some side effects increased appitite and weight gain you may get a "moon face". I have had to be on prednisone a few times over the course of my condition and let me tell you if the doc feels like you need to be on it then take it happily. This last flare I had I was so sick that I pretty much was doing a dance cause he was was like ok you will need to take the prednisone to get out of the flare. I am on 10 mg a day and slowly tapering off and the side effects are almost worth it to feel better. I am also taking Asacol 4 tablets 3 times a day. This is so I won't go back into a flare.

Posted 6/25/2008 7:09 PM (GMT 0)

Cajun - I am very familiar with the side effects as my husband had some.

Reading so much on this forum and others I find that I am lucky to not have been so "sick".  Mostly just diarrhea maybe 3 or 4 times at most a few days - cramping but no real pain.  The scarey part that sent me to be tested was the blood - according to most really quite a small amount!  Doc called my condition mild - thank goodness.  I think he will give me the Asocal especially since I am VERY sensitive to all medication - cannot take narcotics at all. 

ElaineNY

Posted 6/25/2008 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
I like prednisone b/c it works for me. Little acne and some little bone loss and little mood swings, but I think it is worth it and I never really worry about taking it. Just keep calcium intake above normal, which I wasn't doing but am now. Also what is scary is that someone on here mentioned before that it makes the colon very soft and mushy, but then suebear just said on another post that constant inflamation makes the colon paper like where it will tear easily during surgury, so inflamation or prednisone???? Take the lessor of two evils... At least with prednisone my symptoms subside dramatically more than anything else.
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