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I caved...start prednisone tomorrow!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/9/2009 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
sad So, I have been bleeding for about 3 months now...I was determined to stay head strong and say NO to prednisone when I went to the doctor (Sept.) my first full blown flare since being in remission since Nov. 2007, had my colonoscopy in September as well, went back to the doctor (Oct.) and now a month later I called because things have just continued to get worse.  He is starting me on 15mg of prednisone and is promising to start tapering me off at my January 19 appointment.  I only pray that I show much improvement within the next 6 weeks so we can start tapering off.  My husband is very understanding, but doesn't see why I haven't started the prednisone earlier.  He knows I am miserable and he knows the pred. worked last time!  I keep telling him there are lots of people who don't fall back to the pred.  I am so weak!!!

I am pretty down on my self right now!  I have really tried to stay away from food and drink that get me going, cramping and bleeding like crazy!!!!  I can eat and drink anything when not flaring!!!!  I am still so new to UC and just selfish, I guess, that I don't want to have to give up all that I enjoy.

I really just needed to rant and rave, sorry in advance...

 

Posted 12/9/2009 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
So sorry!
We're all different, but I don't find that limiting my food and drink helps all that much, except for the basics when flaring: nothing scratchy (raw, salads, coleslaw, popcorn, etc) nothing greasy, nothing too acidy or spicy. More fish and chicken than beef (because of the fatty issue.)

I would ask to try rectal meds, like the steroid enemas, before prednisone... or the mesalamine - the enemas will do more than the Canasa. And what about a probiotics that has more than acidophilus...? I tried several before finding the ones that work for me, and what seems to be good for me is the more strains, the better...

I sure know that feeling, we flare, we feel down, we feel as if we did something to cause it....but it's a disease, and if it were that easy to find cause and effect, we'd all be in great shape and not having these conversations! So - be kind to yourself, you'll get through it.
Keep us posted.
Posted 12/9/2009 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks songlady! I did ask about enemas the other day when I first spoke to his nurse. She called back late last night and said he wanted to do the prednisone. I was strong headed the last few months and he tried talking me into taking pred. at the first visit. I am thankful that it is such a small dose and only pray that it works. I am taking a probiotic from wal-mart (pearl). I probably need to spend a little more money on something that is more advertised?? I think back and really think this flare came about from getting my wisdom teeth out in August...anesthesia and the antibiotics. Fix one problem and cause another!!!
Posted 12/9/2009 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, it's ok. I just did the same. Even though I HATE some of the side effects, it's worth it to feel like a person again. I just took the first dose about an hour ago, and I'm going to visit the GI tomorrow. And really, I'm waaaay too active to let my UC slow down my life. Right now I'm working two jobs, am in a somewhat long distance relationship with my college sweetheart, and am attempting to find time to finish off a scientific journal article. I cannot afford to spend an extra hour or so in the bathroom each day.

songlady-I don't know about you, but when I'm flaring I hardly even want to eat. I only really do so cause I'm hungry. If it weren't for gatorade, juice and smoothies I'd waste away during my flares.
Posted 12/9/2009 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
You are not selfish and absolutely not weak! When you are going through a flare everything is so difficult. I agree with Songlady about the steroid enemas. I am surprised that your doc did not have you try these before the oral prednisone. When you had your colonoscopy done how much of your colon was inflammed? If it is the whole colon then the enemas will not be enough since they do not reach all the way around. Maybe that is why he wants you on oral pred? Remember that you had a long remission last time and hopefully the prednisone will quickly put you back there again. There are a lot of people that flare badly every now and then but have years in between while in remission.
Posted 12/9/2009 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
Don't be down on yourself! This disease is so hard to deal with. Bleeding for three months is no cup of tea and I don't think anyone would blame you for wanting to feel somewhat normal again. A lot of people on this forum are SO anti-steroids, and that probably isn't helping you. Sometimes that is all that will help people, and even though they have really negative side effects, the positive is that it might take you out of your flare. I'd say that's worth it. If you don't respond to other things, sometimes it's the only choice, and seriously do NOT get down on yourself for that.

Instead, celebrate your strength for getting through this, because this is more than most people have to deal with. 15 mg of pred is not much at all, and you will be able to taper off quickly when your dr gives you the green light. Hope you feel better soon!!!
Posted 12/9/2009 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
I just started back on it too. The side effects can be no fun, but you'll feel better :) I missed 3 weeks of work, and couldn't eat or drink anything without feeling sick. Prednisone was like a miracle when I first started it last week! I know it's not ideal, but if it can stop your flare it's worth it. It won't be forever.
Posted 12/9/2009 8:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hope you feel better soon. You should still discuss other rectal meds..maybe while tapering especially at the lower dosages, they'll help you get off the pred.

keep us posted.
q
Posted 12/9/2009 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! It is nice to hear encouraging words from others who are/have been in the same situation.

Fortunately it was only the first 3 inches of the rectum, so not the entire colon, unlike last time. I do suspect that it is more inflammed now than when I had my colonoscopy in September.

I will discuss the rectal meds with my doc, I really do like him lots.
Posted 12/16/2009 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor waited 1 year into a bad flare up to put me on PRED. Frankly, I had to ask for it. Enemas only worked minimally for me even though I was trying different ones for almost one year. I am actually a bit angry that I had to ask him to put me on it.

It is helping me, it seems, slowly but surely. You are being too hard on yourself. Do not feel bad. You are on a low dose and hopefully you will snap right back into remission.

Western medicine has chosen to treat symptoms rather than causes -- let it do what it is good at.
Posted 12/16/2009 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
The last time I had a minor flare, I also fought going on pred, but as soon as I did, I felt SO much better. Used in combination with a maintenance med and natural therapies, it worked well to get me back on track with no side effects. I think the key was starting at a low to moderate dose and tapering quickly.
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