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Prednisone Question

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/29/2014 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
So I started 40mg of pred early this month.  I am now down to 30mg and tapering to 20mg tomorrow.  the past few weeks I have been having solid BMs and less urgency, but when I have BM there is still lots of bright red blood.  Should I continue to taper down, or should I request my GI to give me a more drawn out dosage/taper?  Do I just continue in hopes that the bleeding will get better as well?  Also, I am supposed to be starting Simponi.  Thanks in advance for you advice!
Posted 1/29/2014 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone does not in any way heal UC. Unless you body is able to heal while on pred, or some other effective drug is able to ramp up, you will likely drift right back to where you were - except that you flare may wax or wane a bit independent of whatever you are doing.

Unless you need to be off pred for Simponi (I don't know much about it), tapering a little slower whil eyou get started on Simponi could make sense.

good luck
Posted 1/29/2014 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
You might try a mesalamine enema? If it is okay with your others meds and you aren't allergic.
Posted 1/29/2014 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Are you on any meds besides Prednisone now?

The pred is great for helping some initial symptoms, but you need a UC drug to hopefully stay in remission.

If you are not on anything besides the pred... I would think your dr would want you to stay on the pred until the simponi starts working.

...I would think. But thats a better Q for your doc :D
Posted 1/29/2014 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with embers. It's weird to taper without a plan. I would think it would make sense to start the simponi sooner than later so you have something to keep you in remission when you taper off pred.
Posted 1/29/2014 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I have tried Asacol/Delzicol and remicade. I also did enemas for a while, but I could not retain them when inflammation got so bad. I was planning to call Doc today and ask if I could start trying those again since I believe I will be able to retain them now. I also feel like I should stay on pred a little longer to give the simponi time to work. Thanks for the comments. I just always am afraid the doctors are going to think I sound like I am telling them what to do if I call and say "can I have this or do that.."
Posted 1/29/2014 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
I always feel that way Angela. You just have to look out for yourself and it sounds like that's a good plan. If you feel like you can retain enemas, definitely do them, they help. Did you stop Asacol and Remicade?
Posted 1/29/2014 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I agree to stay on pred longer until the Simponi has a chance to work. Enemas could be great help also. I think many doctors are comfortable with knowledgeable patients calling the shots as long as they make sense.
Posted 1/29/2014 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I would defiantly call your doctor and remember you know your body the best. I am also on Prednisone and Simponi now. I hit 20mg and unfortunately can't seem to get lower without feeling horrible.

Good luck with Simponi. The shots are really easy and less painful than Humira which is nice.
Posted 1/30/2014 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I talked to GI yesterday. She told me to stay at 30mg of pred until atleast I get started on Simponi (waiting for insurance approval). She also approved me to use the enemas again. :) Hoping for good results. Good luck to all of you trying simponi! :)
Posted 1/30/2014 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
I had my colon removed over 30 years ago and I'm not trying to scare you but I wish I never took any prednisone. I took it in pill form and rectally for a couple of years. It still is the only medicine that stops
internal bleeding, but I have had seven total hip replacements, two heart attacks, and both of my shoulders repaired. It is a steroid and just like the ball players it will get you little by little. I was told by my Doctor at that time to try not to have an ileostomy but I should have done it then. My life has changed completely but I would not have had the surgeries through the last 25 years. Only you can make that call.
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