PREDNISONE

ok, so my doctor just told me i need to go on prednisone for about a month - but reading about this drug, and hearing all the side effects you all have gone through im waayyy to scared to take it. i dont know what to do. weighing in all the side effects is it really even worth it to take it? i just want to know what good does this drug do for you? im really thinking about refusing to take this med.
i need some advice- thanks

Prednisone will buy you time. If you need time for find something that works for you, then prednisone will do the job. However, it's not a long-term solution. It comes with too many side effects, side effects that aren't always noticeable.

As for me, I only took it when my colon was in danger of bursting.

thanks for the feedback guys. still freaked out and unsure tho.

ive been taking salofalk for the past 2 1/2 years now- and am still loosing alittle blood everyday. and ive only taken oral med. compared to others on this forum, i dont think my uc is that bad. im not sure what the prednisone is going to do for me.

I completely agree with both subdued and Q. If you don't think your UC is that bad, and other things can help get it under control, try the rectals first. I had to try a few, but they really helped me with minor flares. If oral meds are all you have done thus far, I would not move to pred before trying rectals and upping the oral meds.

As far as pred, yes, it will buy you time if that is what you need. That is why I have ended up on it-the first time I was in the hospital, they put me on it, then I started Humira. Second time I was trying to avoid the hospital so I started, but ended up there anyway, then started Remicade. But my UC is that bad, and these were not minor flares. However, I never want to go back on it again. First, it doesn't help me enough to warrant the negative effects of it. Second, the side effects for me are huge. Besides the massive weight gain, moon face, acne, greasy hair and then hair falling out during the taper (all of which stunk), it caused me major mood swings, thinning skin, facial hair growth, delusions upon taper, depression, joint problems, and yes, high blood sugar. It is awful stuff-and when you are on it for a month, you have to taper. Tapering sucks. Of course, it hits everyone differently, and some people feel great on it-but for me personally, it isn't worth it.

Good luck and feel better!

After my few month experience on prednisone, I would avoid at all costs. Yes, it worked for me, put UC in check, but I did not like the side effects. Personally I'd look for a natural treatment if possible, lots of stuff people have found w/ success on this forum. If I was bleeding every day I'd first look at what I am eating/drinking Good luck to you, you will get better soon!

I have mixed feelings about prednisone. I was first put on it in September 2010. I finally weened off of it in December 2010 and then ended up in the hospital with a flare two weeks later. However, the reason I was put on the prednisone in the first place is because I was losing about 2 cups of blood per day and the prednisone NEVER stopped the bleeding. But it did stop me from having a flare. The side effects that I had from prednisone were:
- hot flashes
- night sweats
- moon face
- crankiness
- hunger
- insomnia
What is important to know is that everyone is different. If you take your prednisone early in the morning you can usually avoid the night sweats and insomnia fairly easily. I have very severe ulcerative colitis. If yours is not severe I would suggest asking your doctor for the Salofalk enemas (a pain in the butt, literally, but worth it).

Do you know how many mgs of prednisone your doc wants to put you on? Weening doesn't take too long. I just started on Remicade and my doctor has me going down 5 mgs every three days and I haven't had any problems. I was extremely worried about taking prednisone when I first went on it in September but I can say today I do not weigh more, I don't have more body hair, or think my quality is life is any worse than it was before. Also, prednisone only MASKS the symptoms you are having, it does not necessarily make them go away, and this is why prednisone may be a miracle for some people, but it is never a permanent solution. That is another reason why your doctor should try all avenues before resorting to prednisone. Hope this helped.

thanks for all the info guys :)
I think i will give it a try, otherwise ill never know - hopefully nothing scary happens :/

the doc prescribed 20mg, and no, he never mentioned rectal meds.

And thanks for the tips JKM87 & Quincy

I have had a really good experience with Prednisone. Starting on 75 mg/day, tapering 5 mg every week (at the end tapering every two weeks). I had some side-effects: hunger (led to minor weight gain), sweats and restlessness but it wasn't bad at all. I like the drug a lot, as it really helped me.

I don't think you should be scared of taking it, especially not when taking the short treatment period into account.

My grandpa took it for years, and yes, then it's bad. I wouldn't be on it all the time, but for shorter periods of time it can really help you.

Everybody is different, so try it out and draw your own conclusions would be the best advice.

I've been on and off Prednisone multiple times. For me, it's not that bad being on it. You do not have to gain weight on Prednisone. I monitor my intake (I am a Weight Watchers member) and make sure I get exercise and I actually have lost weight while on courses of Prednisone. My most noticeable side effects are the insomnia, irritability, and some anxiety. I also know what it's potentially doing in my body so that of course is a concern (bone thinning, etc.).

My main issue with Prednisone is that it seems my body may have somehow adapted to the "normal" course that my doctor gives me (starting at 40 mg then tapering). This time around it's just not working like it used to. I don't know if this is a common thing or not, but it's clear to me that steroids are no longer going to buy me time unless it's really high doses that I'm not comfortable with.

If you chose to go ahead, I would be sure and ask your doctor what the longer term plan is. If this ends your flare, great. But what is the plan if you flare again? I would make sure you know the answer to that question going in.

Good luck to you!

Side effects I got from pred (I was on it for three months, highest dosage - 40 mgs, average dosage - 25 mgs)

short-term effects that gradually went away:
muscle spasms
inflamed joints
sensitive teeth
moon face
weight gain
bladder infections

long-term effects:
slight osteoarthritis in right hip joint
increase in eye pressure
very slight increase in meat on upper back, right below neck

For those who say they didn't get any bad side effects from pred: not all side effects from taking pred are visible. Pred eats the connective tissue, and much of our connective tissue runs deep in the body.