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Posted 10/6/2009 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I am new to this forum. I wanted to know if anyone has taken Prednisone? My doctor prescribed me this medication and I would like to know if anyone has had any problems with it before I take it. I don't feel comfortable taking it because it is a steroid.

Thanks
Posted 10/6/2009 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Bazil, many people here with UC have used prednisone when their symptoms have gotten severe and needed to get things under control soon. It's a powerful drug and often does have some side effects. That's why it's only used when necessary and not over a long period of time.

Here's a link to the CCFA website where they discuss corticosteroids in more detail.

http://www.ccfa.org/info/treatment/corticosteroids
Posted 10/6/2009 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
What did your doctor prescribe it for, at what dose, and for how long? Pred is used to treat a lot of different things and different doses are used depending on what the problem is.

Like Rio said, a lot of us on the forum have used prednisone...probably just about all of us. It generally works really quickly at getting the symptoms under control. It's not for long-term use, but is incredibly effective and relatively safe for short term use.
Posted 10/6/2009 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
I am on it right now. 35mg per day, down from 40mg last week.

I am having no side effects other than going to the bathroom a lot less, and not having UC symptoms anymore. It also has jacked up my appetite to levels I have not felt since I was marathon training. Kinda nice being told by your doc to gain weight and having your appetite in overdrive.
Posted 10/6/2009 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
I took it starting at 40 mg. and tapering and off in five months.  It stopped my bleeding - after many medications did not.  Bad symptoms were the munchies, moonface and insomnia but I dealt with them ok.  Nice not to have the UC so bad.  I liked the fact that my arthritis was so nice during that time and my skin so soft. Also, enjoyed the extra energy.

The worse part is after going off prednisone (for me).  Now my aches and pains and much worse after being off 2 months.  My bad old rough skin is back.  However, my face is nearly normal and I can sleep better. No bleeding but I still have nausea and sweating mornings and occasional diarrhea.  Otherwise, the UC is doing good.

This was my experience.  I would use it again is necessary.

ElaineNY

Posted 10/7/2009 1:48 AM (GMT 0)

fruitgirl said...
What did your doctor prescribe it for, at what dose, and for how long? Pred is used to treat a lot of different things and different doses are used depending on what the problem is.

Like Rio said, a lot of us on the forum have used prednisone...probably just about all of us. It generally works really quickly at getting the symptoms under control. It's not for long-term use, but is incredibly effective and relatively safe for short term use.



Let me give you a quick background. I am 19 years old and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis on my large intestine on the left side towards my rectum in May of 2008. I started off with 6 asacol pills from May 08 to July 08. Then the doctor prescribed me sulfasalazine from August 08 to November 08 because asacol wasn't working too well. Then I switched back to Asacol with a higher dose and it wasn't working again because I had a bloody stool and abdominal pain. Now I am on Apriso, which worked immediately, but now it stopped working because I am having blood and abdominal pain again.

To answer your question, my doctor recently gave me Entocort, but it hasn't been working. That is why he prescribed me Prednisone. He's starting me with 40 mg and decreasing by 5 mg every week until I get to 10 mg. I want to know if its worth it because their are many side effects listed and those have me concerned. Sorry for the long post.
Posted 10/7/2009 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Bazil,
I have been on it many times over the last 2 decades. I don't like being on it. The withdrawal makes me very emotional and I always gain unwanted weight. Unlike most people it also makes me feel lethargic while I'm on it. On the other hand, pred with rowasa enemas works like a charm to kick me into remission. I can't take oral mesalamine. It was a little wierd to get used to using enemas at first, but they work so well I got over the ick factor fast. I have not had any long-term side-effects from the pred. I hope you feel better soon.
Cynthia
Posted 10/7/2009 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
Bazil,

If you're on it now, you really have no choice but to continue tapering per doctor's wishes. If you just stop taking prednisone, you will screw yourself up REALLY bad.

I was on Prednisone for a few months in 2004 and swore to never go back. It didn't really help my UC much, and after 3 weeks my face ballooned up and I started having SEVERE aches and pains everywhere. I was miserable. Many people on here have had good experiences, and many bad. Some have found alternate ways to moderate their UC, whether through diet, drugs, de-stressing, vitamins/herbs/etc, or a combination.
Posted 10/7/2009 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on pred twice in three years.  It works wonders for me when nothing else works.  I would never agree to be on it long term but for short term it has been totally worth it for me.  The second time on it I am having NO side effects at all - NONE!  My mother has been on it many times as well and never had any side effects.  The first time I was on it I had some water retention but it was totally worth it to stop the UC.  Both times pred has put me into remission.  Some people have serious side effects and others have minimal or no side effects - just like with any medication.  It is a very individual thing though - I tried oral and rectal meds before going on pred but nothing worked - not even the cort enemas...so for me - yes it was worth it and yes it worked and I needed it to get me out of the flares....I always continue to workout and eat well, drink lots of water and take a multivitamin when on pred...I believe for me that helps with the side-effects...
Posted 10/7/2009 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on 40mg of pred for ten days. I am seeing absolutely no results. That includes good and bad. I was all ready to deal with some side effects because i was excited about possibly feeling "normal" again. I have told my doctor and I will now have to go back in and get "checked" out. I'm really disappointed.
Posted 10/7/2009 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
that stuff makes me shake like a leaf from head to toe and i can eat all day.
Posted 10/9/2009 4:42 AM (GMT 0)
I am on Pred right now (since 4 weeks, started at 40 mg, now at 25 mg) for the second time in my life and it doesn't do much for me either. My flare started 6 weeks ago and I am nowhere where I should be after 4 weeks of that stuff. It didn't work for me the first time I took it, but I wanted to give it another try. Side effects I had taking it the first time and now are insomnia, the shakes, feeling unreal and drugged up, nausea, increased thirst and increased apetite. I didn't gain any weight the last time - now my apetite is out of whack and I probably have gained a few pounds (oh well ...). Although I have to say that I seem to tolerate it better than the last time. i was always afraid of this drug. i don't think I will take it ever again once I tapered off - i am now convinced it is not the drug for me.

Good luck!

Posted 10/9/2009 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
I needed a course of prednisone once every year or so, for more than 20 years.
The side effects are weird, but for me they all go away once I'm off, no permanent effects.
It can be good, OK.
Posted 10/10/2009 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
     I've had ulcerative proctitis for eleven years and been on prednisone more times than I would have liked.  It does get me into remission but I find that it is taking longer every time.  Prednisone has given me osteoporosis, so make sure you take calcium with vitamin D every day.  This last round of prednisone increased my blood sugar.    The side effects I have suffered were mood swings and insomnia.  My doctor always starts me at 40 mgm with a 5mgm per week taper.  He hates my taking it but I am not a candidate for Remicade.  I consider myself in remission now, but I do have a tad of blood and some mucus yet.
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