No relief on Pred

Hey Dawn! Hang in there. I too just increased my Pred from 30mg to 40mg. It's been 3 days. The 1st day things quieted down, but yesterday I had 1 very loose BM and then quite a bit of D at night. So far today, no BM's and I feel slightly better.
So just give it a bit more time, and try to eat foods that are low residue - mashed potatoes, macaroni, chicken, etc.

I hope that you feel better soon!

ps. The more I think about this condition and the posts on this forum, the more I see myself going for the surgery. I'm not sure how long I can live my life depending on meds that work for a while, but then start to become ineffective. My body gets used to the pred very quickly. And I may have to jump up to 60 mg to contain this flare, but I'm trying to stay at 40 mg and give it a bit more time.

My GI has me on Imuran (175mg) - have been on it since Oct, no real visible improvement, though I know it may take more time.
He's started the preparations for Remicade. I'm not exactly holding my breath, but you never know!

I wish you luck and a speedy recovery Dawn! Be strong, and keep positive!

dawn, are you taking anything other than the prednisone? I would give it more than 4 days, and hopefully it will take hold, good luck

------------------------------------------------------------------

yuckygut

diagnosed 1998

now off prednisone and colazal

drink 1 Haldi daily to remain in remission

     I was under the impression that once you stopped Remicade you couldn't go back on it.

It sounds like you are refractory on prednisone(ie pred is not working anymore), and you're doc will likely put you on an immunomodulator like 6-mp or Imuran.

It sounds like I've had a similar experience with prednisone. It's my first time going on it, after no success with asacol (in fact, it made me really, really sick). I've been flaring since September, officially diagnosed in October. I was on 40mg for 2 weeks, just started to taper, now on 35.

I'm sticking to a pretty low-residue diet, with no wheat or dairy, no fresh fruits or veggies (and boy do I miss them!). Still everything is very loose, and as the day wears on my energy just goes, the pressure in my rectum grows, and so does my misery.

My gastro suggested another immunosuppressant med at our last visit but I didn't write it down and now I forget what it was. I was reluctant to try it right away because a) it's flu season and my immune system is already compromised by prednisone, b) she said it would take weeks or months for the drug to kick in, so I figured I'd wait till my course of pred is over and then maybe try it after that.

An unrelated comment: is it common with this disease (I'm very new to it) to have to choose between your doctor's advice and listening to your own body? Because some things were feeling good to me (i.e. a small amount of chopped salad) and my doctor sternly told me to cut that out. I'm listening to her. For now.

Started 40mg pred today to try to knock out this flare. I am hoping for relief. Took the pred about 6 hours ago....I feel like I am plugged into a wall socket.....or i guess i could relate it to drinking about 12 expresso's with a red bull chaser.... Hopefully a few ativan tonight will allow me to relax a bit.... my fingers are crossed for this pred to work....it doesnt seem like i am able to take remicade or immuran, so this is my only option unfortunately.... very close to you in having uc for 14 years... i guess over time uc can just laugh at pred and keep on inflaming...

Christine1946 said...
     I was under the impression that once you stopped Remicade you couldn't go back on it.

I hadn't heard that.  I am actually seeing some improvement on it already.  My second infusion is next week. 

Currently taking culturelle....somewhat torn on its effectiveness....i felt more results from garden of life products...although a bit pricey....i havent had a negative effect from any so far. possibly just pooping away $50 bucks a bottle....but i will continue to take for now....will probably switch back to GOL if it is still available...last i checked they had some nasty litigation going for false advertising...