Chronic D, to prednisone or not to prednisone...

Dear All,

I have been in a flare for about a month, was triggered by a flu type thing and then we moved houses and well it has just got really bad over the last week.

I've been in bed 24/7 for 7 days, if I stand up or eat anything I immediately need to go to the loo, only d and sometimes blood. I've lost about 9kg! The doctor has given me prednisone which I have sitting on my side table.... I just really really don't want to take it.... Have read so many bad things about it...

I am taking beclomethasone/ mesalazine enemas, but the D is just not letting off. I take a +50 billion probiotic before sleeping and also on waking, also taking l-glutamine.

I just really wanted to find a natural way of getting better, have also order psyllium seed powder.

Any advice appreciated.
Rabs

Thanks fightUC, where did you buy your sodium butyrate?

Have also seen people (on the forum ;) taking calcium magnesium butyrate...

What is U, F, P, C, D?

If one has anything that's suspected to be bacterial/viral/fungal/ diarrhea....always get stool tested!!!

If one has any of the above...do NOT take Imodium or anything that will encourage the invader to stay in.

It's best to use appropriate meds to deal with it, but if stool samples aren't on the list...use probiotics and fibre supplements. They will help remultiply proper floral balance in the digestive tract and help sweep out the offenders.

Is the beclamethasone oral/systemic? what exactly?

Do you not have any oral mesalamine?

Do make sure you start eating regardless.  small meals more often.

What exactly is the prescription of the pred....to take 5 days and then stop? or a continued prescription?

q

Take your prednisone. You are most likely currently hurting your body more than pred ever will.

It is highly unlikely that anything "natural" will work at this point. You can try that after you are healthier, to stay in remission and combat less severe flares.

I can tell you about my experience as I had a very similar flare recently. I do have pancolitis but pretty much the same symptoms and weight loss.

I started the standard 40mg pred dose. After three days I had formed stool on occasion and went around 5 days. No urgency (not after food or anytime). 2 weeks after I'm down to 2-3 stools a day and tapering.

My known side effects of all this:

Increased apetite, 2 acne zits (more will come when I taper more, but I keep it reasonably at bay with creams), more energy, occasionally slight problems with falling a sleep.

Also i do have one more severe side effect and that is slightly blurred vision (at distance). I've had it before and usually resolves it self when I hit 20mg pred in the taper. But that is not you should ignore if that happens. Just let an eye doctor take a look at it just to be safe that it is not glaucoma.

Rabs..I use Metamucil capsules...never tried the psyllium seed powder. I have no interest to drink it.

Whatever you choose, do it. Start slowly. Take it with meals.

q