Having Colonoscopy in a few days...nervous!

I had my first colonoscopy back in 2009. It was what diagnosed me with UC.
I had a horrible flare shortly after having my son in 2008 that I didn't actually get a handle on until November of 2010. I was in remission for a whole year or more and this past Spring I started flaring again after getting what seemed like a stomach bug.
I was put on Prednisone back in June and did a taper from 40mg and ended that in late July. The whole month of August was hell for me because right before I completely stopped my taper I ran out of meds and couldn't get them so I went about a week without my Asacol or Canasa. I saw my Dr. back in September and she put me back on 40mg of Prednisone and then ordered a colonoscopy be done within 3 weeks because she wants to see if the disease has progressed. I was originally dx'ed with mild distal colitis (30cm up).
My Dr. wants me to start stronger drugs after this but I just feel like I am not ready for this step and I don't have insurance so I can't actually afford it.
I changed my diet about a month ago too and I have had wonderful results with that. I am gluten free, sugar free and dairy free. However, the lower I go on my prednisone the more symptomatic I am becoming. The blood has not gone away yet since the start of this taper but the frequency is coming back. But this has been what happens to me almost every time I taper on Prednisone...I still bleed up til about 15mg and once I get to 15 I stop bleeding and the frequency stops. My problems are more in the AM and PM...during the day I can eat and not have a problem.

I am hoping and praying that my disease has not spread and I am also contemplating switching Dr.'s once again. I feel like if my current Dr. is not willing to do anything but throw expensive meds at me then I need to go somewhere else!

Gary is right for the most part.... at least when it comes to prescription solutions. However, if your doctor is unwilling to even discuss non-prescription treatments and THAT is the reason you feel frustrated, then certainly switch. A GI that you like and trust is so important. Just keep in mind that most doctors are only educated about prescription treatments and won't be able to tell you much of anything about alternative or complimentary treatments. However, some are more open-minded and at least willing to listen and discuss than others. So find a doc you're comfortable with.

Another thing - if your UC is limited to the lower portion of your colon, then try Cortifoam before you try anything else. It is a rectal version of the steroids (a foam that you can't even really feel once it's in), and it can be just as or even more effective than prednisone but without any of the side-effects, which means it's also safer. It's only limitation is that it only reaches the lower part of your colon, so it can be very powerful for people with UC limited to that area, but can't do much beyond the rectum and sigmoid.

Jse, I am confused. What is your prednisone dosing schedule like? Are you doing the standard 40 mg/day for a short period of time (about two weeks), and then reducing your daily dose by 5 mg every week or two? In other words, are you following something like this:

40 mg/day for two weeks,

35 mg/day for another week or two,

30 mg/day for another weeks or two,

etc?

As far as expensive medicines go, please contact the manufacturing companies of the drugs you want to consider using (Remicade, Humira, Asacol, or something else) and ask about financial assistance for those without insurance. If you're comfortable with this, they will ask you to provide documentation that they can use to analyse your financial situation. Based on their analysis, they may provide you significant assistance towards purchasing certain drugs you wish to use.

Lastly, and I know this is obvious so forgive me in advance, it is imperative that you stay diligent in using your medicines as prescribed. You indicated in your original post that you were inconsistent with your medications. I think you know this is not wise.

For what it's worth, I wish you well, and I wish you an easy preparation for your procedure and an even easier time during the procedure. I have had several colonoscopies, as well. I know that they are unpleasant, but it will be over before you know it!

I wish you well.