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Really don't want to go on Prednisone

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/21/2012 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
I had extremely bad UC about 20 years ago -- was hospitalized for a month and was home on disability for six months.  Then, went into remission for 20 years.  about a year ago, the symptoms returned.  My doctor and I have tried everything so far, but I have consistently told him, NO PREDNISONE!  I am in the type of high demand job where I cannot afford the dramatic mood swings and fuzzy thinking.  Yet, I have tried everything from diet to natural alternatives and nothing works. 

Has anyone avoided using an inflammatory drug such as Prednisone for UC?  Say yes.

Posted 4/21/2012 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
Ask you GI to try another corticosteroid with less side effects like budesonide (entocort) -combined with steroid enemas as that doesn't reach the left colon as well as prednisone. Or if you live in UK, Canada, Europe you can try a drug called Clipper (beclomethasone dipropionate) which works like a topical steroid and has little side effects.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Posted 4/21/2012 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Yes.

I've had Uc for 20 years and I have never been on pred. Steroid enemas: yes. Are you on any other medications?
Posted 4/21/2012 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
What are your symptoms right now?
Posted 4/21/2012 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
avoid prednisone at all costs. i regret going on it due to what it did to my body. what supplements and natural alternatives have you tried so far?
Posted 4/21/2012 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Remission for 20 years? Wow.
Posted 4/21/2012 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry your symptoms have returned. I agree with Sherry about steroid enemas but another thing you may want to try is Entocort. This is a steroid but has way less side effects. Do you take medication for your UC? If not, you may be able to nip this with something simple like Asacol or Lialda. I was in a bad flare when I first developed UC and it responded very quickly to Asacol. There are many options other than prednisone. It really depends what you've tried and what you're willing to try.

Please check out our resources thread on the forum main page. It offers a lot of treatments, both medical and alternative.

Posted 4/21/2012 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
Makersdietfan,

I have had UC for about 20years now and have never taken Prednisone, it was perscribed once during a major flare but I refused to swallow those pills.  The pills are still sitting in the cupboard.

I do take steroid enemas (hycort and cortifoam) and find them to be very effective in controlling things.  I also take mesalamine tablets(mezavant daily).  The enemas are different than the oral and there is minimal side effects if any.  I have used the mesalamine enemas for years but found they took along time to get things under control.  Hycort does reach farther than the cortfoam but the cortifoam is excellent for using during the day.

I also find that when flaring to increase my probiotics.

Posted 4/21/2012 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with proctitis about 4 months ago and have been in a flare since then. After trying multiple medications that didn't work I reluctantly went on prednisone. Been on it for almost 3 weeks now and am definitely seeing positive results. I also have not experienced any side effects yet. So far, so good. Hopefully it'll do the trick and I can start tapering down soon.
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