Slow improvement on prednisone?

I started 40 mg course of prednisone last Monday (4/4). This is my first time on prednisone. My GI and I were hopeful that I would see results right away. He said I would most likely feel "perfect" within a week, and I should start tapering two weeks after that. Well, one week later I have seen some improvement, but is it enough? My frequency has been reduced from about 10-12 times per day to about 7-8 times per day. (I would contribute 2 of these to the after-effects of the Rowasa.) My urgency is a tiny bit better. Bleeding is better. Although I wouldn't say I'm having completely "formed" stools, I am no longer having bm's of just blood and mucus. Does this sound like normal and acceptable progress on prednisone? I have read on this forum that many people see dramatic improvement within a few days, but I didn't know what that meant exactly.

I am just so anxious to get off these meds as I am breastfeeding, and, of course, I just hate to be on prednisone!

I will probably call my GI if things don't change much in the next couple of days. I am just afraid he is going to want me to up my dosage or come in for a colonoscopy before deciding on further treatment. I'm not excited about either of those options.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I've been off of pred. for awhile. So it's tough for me to remember how long I was on it. Although I do remember that sometimes it would take 3-5 weeks to taper off of it and get better. Like ben1be says I'm surprised your not on Azacol/Lialda, maybe that's what the Rowasa is. I don't think theres anything to worry about, its sound like your frequency is decreasing at a good rate. Although if you don't improve in another week your doc. might try to add different medications to the mix e.i. colon topical like lialda, or remicade. When were you diagnosed?

Thanks for your replies. I think I will call my GI as I'm feeling pretty anxious and don't want to spend any more time on pred than I have to.

As for the Asacol, I am taking Rowasa (mesalamine) enemas nightly, as my inflammation in low and can be reached better this way than with the oral mesalamine.

I was diagnosed in 2007. This is my fourth flare and the first one which hasn't responded well to the rectal meds, hence the pred, but maybe I should try adding the Asacol, too. I was just hoping to limit the meds as much as possible as I am breastfeeding a little one.