Posted 10/15/2008 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hard to say. pred certainly is rough stuff. ive had a few times where i tapered prednisone and once i got to 10 mg, my colitis came roaring back and i had to go on a stronger drug such as 6mp to get into remission. other times ive been able to just come off prednisone and use the lialda as a maintence drug. you just dont know until you lower your dosage. usually at each dosage drop, you might get a day or 3 of some symptoms returning, like gas, some diareha, pain, slight fever, etc. that should subside by day 5 (and coincidently, your next cut depending on your taper plan). if it does not subside, call the doctor at once and figure out how to go from there. he may bump you up(if your symptoms are gettin worse) or he will probably hold you at that level for a few more days to see if it resolves.
colitis flares takes a while to resolve. ive been out of the hospital a few weeks now and i still feel sick, but definatly improved from the time i was taken into the hospital. i am down to 20 mg of pred(from i believe 80 or 100, i was kind of out of it the first few days) and hoping the same things you are... even though ive been down this road before. This disease bites the you know what... that much is for sure. but you can definalty achieve long remissions. some people go many many years without flares. i myself have only had a long term remission of 2 years which was wonderful while it lasted.
anymore questions just hollar
Vin