Not sure if I'm getting better..

Adding a rectal mesalamine would give you extra coverage and maybe the boost you need. I would definitely touch base with your doctor and update him on your symptoms.

Hiya, have you thought of keeping a diary of your symptoms for a week or so? Then you could compare and see if you are getting better. You could write down every time you go to the ladies, how much blood there was, how much it hurt (maybe on a scale of 1-10), how long you were in there for, if you vomited or not, how nauseous you were etc. You could record your pain aswell, for example when you get a wave of pain, you could record how painful it was, how long it lasted, etc.

In general if you are still bleeding then it sounds like you are not well.

I've never taken Prednisone, only Prednisolone (not sure if that's geographical differences or not). I know with Prednisolone, you can only take a maximum of 40mg orally, if you need a stronger dose, then you would need intravenous steroids. You might find that being given IV steroids might get you into remission faster, and more effectively than oral steroids.

Sorry I haven't been on for a couple of days, and I could only find your last 10 posts (I'm not very good at forums). So I'm behind on your situation. How long have you been in hospital? Were you put on IV steroids when you were first admitted?

I'm a bit confused, as you said you are still bleeding sometimes, but you also said you are in hospital. Where I live, although the GP's aren't very good with UC, the hospital doctors are excellent, and would be trying to stop the bleeding.

I have felt that way too many times. I am currently doing ok but every now and then I will have a day that isn't so great with a couple extra BMs and they will be loose. Not usually cramps but I have seen blood on rare occasion. I think in your case, you have a lot of options. it looks like you've only used prednisone, what are you taking for maintenance of your UC? sulphasalazine? Maybe you should try one of the newer medications, like Lialda, and see if that helps. Otherwise, maybe mesalamine suppositories or enemas are an option. There are also steroid rectal meds that may help. You really need to go to your GI and find out the options and try some medications. You will get better.

Cassidy, how long have you been stagnating? Most importantly, talk to your gastroenterologist specialist about it; call them. Healing with uc is anything but consistent (good day, bad day, good days) but you should have steady progress over a week-to-week basis. If you are not, then it could be an issue.

What course of medications are you discontinuing, prednisone? I ask because sulfasalazine is your uc maintenance medication and should be taken indefinitely. But prednisone is temporary. It's usually recommended to discontinue pred after you are 90 percent healed, any sooner and your symptoms might return. Some doctors give an initial prednisone taper schedule, but it is supposed to vary based on patient symptoms and response. Sometimes you need prednisone longer, to fully heal.

Good luck,

50mgs of prednisone is a rather high oral dosage, so yes, you were likely on IV steroids. Do you think you can hold out for a few more weeks until you see your GI again? If not, call with questions.

I have a question! Since, I dont think pred is helping me so much, and I'll have to taper off, will I be able to start another medication while tapering off of the pred? Or will I have to wait until I totally eliminate it, to start another medication? :0

Right, thanks so much for the information! Yes I have improved a lot. But I'm still experiencing irregular bm, some cramping, bloating, nausea, plus being super weak! :/ hopefully my GI can give me something else along with what I'm already taking

Thanks so much. I'll definitely ask about rectal medicine. I got really really low, my hemoglobin was low, I went from 13.7 to 9.1 in a few hours. But I never had to have blood put in me, I never went below 9. I got it checked about a week after being home from the hospital, by my family doctor, and it was still steady at 9. So I believe that's why I'm so weak still. I'll be sure to post after my appointment and have you all updated. Thanks so much for all the help. :)

Thank you so so much! Just talking to you guys, people with UC, helps me feel a little more at ease. Knowing there are people out there, going through the same things. It's just hard to talk with people in my life, because they simply are just unaware. Financial wise, hopefully we can find a medicine that works with our insurance. Yeah I would definitely love to be off Prednisone as soon as possible. I'm getting so frustrated. I'm up all night, all day, sleeping only a few hours, so I'm always superrrrr bored, lol. My acne is getting so bad. I've been having awful mood swings. A crazy appetite. Horrible migraines. Ugh.. These side effects are really getting on my nerves. The hate and frustration towards Pred. that you guys have, is kicking in for me, for sure. :( -_- feeling so down about everything

Cassidy, are you taking any oral iron? This can be rough on the stomach, but it's necessary for you to get back up to normal hemoglobin and ferritin.

And yes, you should be taking a maintenance medication while you are taking pred.

The sulfazine you are taking may be contributing to your headaches. I take 1500 mg of this med and I also take 3g of balsalazide. You should be taking a similar amount of mesalamine, and I would suggest you ditch the sulfazine. It is an old fashioned med with some significant potential side effects. You can be taking balsalazide and a generic mesalamine retention enema instead - these are not expensive medications.

Actually, I was taking antibiotics for my acne, along with birth control, for about 6 months. I believe that may have contributed to my first flare and getting UC. I stopped the antibiotics and eventually the birth control once I started feeling sick, and having these symptoms. I need to touch base with my family doctor and see if I can take the antibiotics again, as they did really help my acne before, and I need to start my birth control again too. I have an appointment with them in a week or so, so I will definitely ask about getting put back on those. I knew that otc medicines were not good for me, but my GI said plain Tylenol or acetaminophen was okay for me to take, he actually prescribed me with some acetaminophen7.5s. My otc migraine medicine is aspirin free, so I thought it was okay? I knew aspirin was bad, and Excedrin, things like that, so if i ever take a pain reliever, it is acetaminophen. I dont take oral iron, but I do take multi vitamins with iron in them. I will most definitely need to ask my GI about switching my medicines around, as pred. Doesn't seem to be helping, only causing side effects, and the sulfasalazine is probably behind my headaches. Is there any suggestions on what medicine I should switch to? Preferably one that can get me into remission quickly w close to no side effects.. I have to get back to school, i really dont have the time to experiment with tons of medicine, i have to get back to my normal life, but i know health comes first, just i cant wait around anymore.

Thank you so so much for summing that up for me! I'll be sure to do that! I want to be as prepared as possible for my GI appointment this week. Any other tips or suggestions for me? Maybe some questions to ask or points to bring up? :) ty