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natural alternatives to prednisone??

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/1/2011 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
i am trying to get off of prednisone and as i taper, i'd like to take something that mimics prednisone's effects without it being a drug. i figure this has to be some kind of anti-inflammatory. any thoughts or suggestions would be great. after most of the spring and summer trying the herbal route, i still have some turmeric and NAG left over.
Posted 10/1/2011 7:35 AM (GMT 0)
not a replacement for Prednisone in any sense, but ginger and mint both have nice healing/anti-inflammatory effects. Mint Tea from Starbucks REALLY helped me out just this past weekend in Mexico when I had really bad pain, worst I've had in 2 years. But , Prednisone is a steroid, it's strong and does its job, sadly with side affects :-( Been there, done that.

You mentioned herbal route, have you thought about a naturopath dr, or traditional chinese medicine(TCM) Doctor. Contact some of your local holistic centers, they can point you in the right direction. Before I go on Prednisone again I'll probably fly to see a Ayurvedic GI specialist recommended by a friend

good luck, I know prednisone isn't fun, hopefully you at least have good energy!!
Posted 10/1/2011 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
Joanna,
I am in the exact same position as you are. I'm currently weaning off prednisone and I have added in the following supplements in the hope of not re-flaring (I am also continuing on Humira, Asacol, and Rowasa, VSL#3): tumeric, slippery elm, boswellia, and ginger, all of which are supposed to have anti-inflammatory properties. For guidance on dosage, I looked at the University of Maryland's site on alternative medicines for UC: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ulcerative-colitis-002684.htm. Also, there are many people on this forum that have had good results from tumeric and boswellia, so you can get some more info by searching those herbs.

I did actually go to see a doctor who is an MD but practices only homeopathic medicine (It was VERY expensive b/c she doesn't accept insurance, but I am pretty desperate to get off prednisone and prevent the next flare). I wasn't too happy with the overall experience because I felt that she was not taking into account the autoimmune and inflammatory nature of UC and was basically recommending supplements that would be better suited for someone with IBS (however, I could totally be wrong. I just was surprised that nothing she recommended had any of the herbs listed above in them). In any case, here are the supplements she recommended--I haven't taken them yet but will try them if I start to flare again on the taper: GlutAloeMine (brand name), Gastrex (brand name made by Standard Process), Gut Flora Complex (made by MediHerb), and Zypan (brand name made by Standard Process).

Hope you get off prednisone soon!
Bridget
Posted 10/1/2011 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am tapering also. The whole time I've been on Prednisone my naturopath has me taking liquid licorice root. He was adamant that I take it. He said it would support my adrenals. I was doing 1/4 tsp once in am and once around noon. He wants me to increase it my 1/4 tsp as I taper. It is also anti inflammatory and he said it would keep the Prednisone in me longer so I would need less.

I pray we both get off. BTW are you still having any sxs? I am not completely sx free and I am not on maintenace meds. Too scared to do immunos yet. We'll see. I pray I'm not at square one again.

M
Posted 10/1/2011 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
Just remember that natural does not mean safe or healthier than Rxs. Most of our Rx drugs evolved from plants. Differences are in rigorous testing. I'm not opposed to herbal and alternative treatments, did them myself, but don't be fooled into thinking they are safer.

Sue
Posted 10/1/2011 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Are you taking a probiotic? Turmeric is also recommended as an anti-inflammatory though it did nothing for me.
Posted 10/1/2011 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
interesting on the licorice root. One of the herbs in my herbal tea is "radix glycyrrhizae (Liquorice)"
Posted 10/1/2011 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
yeah, i haven't heard about licorice root either. i will look into this. i have seen two naturopathic doctors this summer. the one i really liked but the other one's methods landed me in the hospital in august. i tried her program for 3 days and got very sick.

i just started VSL last week. it has helped a lot with my bloating. i've been on 15 mg for a while now and would like to taper but i'm just nervous. the last time i tapered to 10mg i started getting cramps again.
Posted 10/1/2011 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-licorice-root.html

i found this good website about it. apparently, licorice root helps prevent the breakdown of the adrenal hormones (this happens when we take prednisone) so our natural supply is more available to the body. it also helps heal ulcers, inflammation, and spasms of the digestive tract.

i just got a gift card for my favorite health store so i'll look for this extract when i go in.
Posted 10/1/2011 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
All licorice does is provide an inhibitor to the enzyme that breaks down cortisol so that it circulates longer. I guess that 'supports' adrenals but not how I would phrase it. I have bought bottles of the extract when coming of prednisone. You need to read up on it and time it with your natural cortisol production to extend your natural coritisol because what it really 'support's is your plunging artificial cortisol ( predisone ). I know this space well as I have had adrenal shock from plunging too quickly.

Good luck
Posted 10/1/2011 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Wait are you saying be careful about taking Licorice root??
Posted 10/2/2011 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I'm just letting you know what I"m doing to support my adrenals while on Prednisone. I don't usually take anything without his ok. I really like my ND and I do trust him. He if very knowledgable and he is very particular about the quality of the supplements he suggests. If you are considering taking it, it is good to have someone monitor you.
Posted 10/2/2011 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Have you heard of Flex Now? It' supposed to be "as strong as steroids" but made from Shea nut extract. http://www.powerofshea.com/

My Holistic doctor recommended it. I'm about to start it soon. I'm trying to get of Pred as well. I'm also going to see another Holistic doc regarding Mck. Jefferies protocol. Dr. Mck. Jefferies did extensive research on steroids and was able to switch patents from Pred to Hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is easier to taper off from.

Unfortunately Mck. Jefferies has passed away and a lot of his work is getting lost. He wrote a book on safe uses of cortisols which I read. I have a friend who was treated by his protocol for over 20 years for Crohn's. You can Google Mck. Jefferies. His work is only listed on this doctor's website. Got an appt with him in 2 weeks.
Posted 10/2/2011 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
There is a homeopathic version of prednisone, but it is extremely difficult to get. I took my daughter to a naturopath once but she wouldn't prescribe it. Ironically it is used for dogs quite often! Good luck
Posted 10/2/2011 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Slippery Elm is very soothing to the gut. There's also the others mentioned. I found MSM to be a good anti-inflammatory but it can sometimes cause diarrhea at high doses so need to start at a low dose and build up.
Posted 7/29/2013 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
licorice is one to be very vary of though - if you have high blood pressure as it will cause it to go high even while taking medication. But will be trying some of the above alternatives as have just started taking prednisone for respiratory probs.
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