Is it possible to get out of THIS flare?

I have seen a lot of people here mention that they are in active flare that started weeks / months / even years ago and they are still fighting that same flare. I am currently in a serious (by my standards) flare - lost 30 pounds in three/four weeks, hospitalized for a week, started with 20+ bloody painful diarrheas with pain before, during and after the BM's. At the hospital I was put on clear liquid diet, IV prednisone and got down to 6-8 BMs, still bloody, the urges are less painful. I have been home for two days now since they couldn't keep me on IV pred for longer than 7 days and I have not decided whether I want to try remicade or go for the surgery. I think tomorrow will be the day to make that decision.

This is where I am right now. I am on 60mg/day oral prednisone (no other meds at this time), almost clear liquid or low residue diet (home made chicken broth, with little pasta and little chicken, couple soft boiled eggs, no fruits, no vegetables, no bread, no dairy). Don't eat much - my appetite is o.k. though. I am very weak. I am taking one sleep pill before the bed time and have been taking vicodin for back pain (i think it is from pred). I am having 6-8 reddish/bloody mucusy BM's in 24 hours.

My question is this. Is this the type of flare that I could still hope to get out off with prednisone or should I consider that the prednisone failed? Do you have any personal experience of getting better from such a flare? If yes, how? Do you think remicade could be effective to fight this flare? If the surgery is the solution should I try to postpone it until I taper off the pred?

Sorry for such a long post, but any personal experience and suggestions would help to weigh the options.

It seems like you have some options to try before surgery.  Have you tried any rectal meds?  I would opt for Imuran, MP6 or Azathioprine next.  Have they not discussed this with you? 

I was in your place 6 years ago. They put me on 6mp while weaning me off the prednisone. It takes a couple months for the 6mp to kick in but when it did it became my miracle drug. Surgery was cancelled and I've been in remission for 6 years with absolutely no symptoms. I've had UC for 32 years! Good luck!

Hello BarcaFan, 

Have you tried a good quality PROBIOTIC?  Probiotics are important to replace the good bacteria that is lost with all the BM"s. Try to find one that has a high number of active cultures.

What about rectal enemas mixed with vitamin E oil?  The vitamin e, I find it stops the bleeding and it also helps to heal the lining of the colon.