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First time prednisone

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/15/2016 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
So I'm only 19 and my UC never bothered me until two weeks ago. Horrible cramping pain feel like I can't get everything out. Lots of blood. Saw my GI today and he has always tried not to use steroids. I've done Lialda and Canasa suppositories when I had blood before (I've never had pain before with UC.) he said he's only giving me two days. If the steroid prednisone 40mg doesn't work he wants to admit me. This is so scary for me!!! Do steroids kick in that fast? I just took my first dose like 20 min ago so I haven't noticed anything yet. Im scared and don't want to be admitted. My blood test showed I'm not anemic but low lymphocytes and high neutrophil levels. Should I be scared?
Posted 6/15/2016 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Also I see my GI who is part of a children's hospital since I'm still only 19 if that helps.
Posted 6/15/2016 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
It seems the more you are on Prednisone the longer it takes to work. So if this is your first time you should see some change within a few days. Perhaps first a reduction in frequency, then any blood and mucus will start to clear up along with BM's becoming more normal.

Had a flare last summer, and was up several times during the night in the bathroom. Took 40mg of Prednisone during the night and didn't have to go again for another 6 hours. But then took about 2 weeks before the inflammation came down and things were approaching normal.

Prednisone can have some crazy side-effects, it should just be used as an extinguisher so regular meds can keep you in remission.

Keep in close contact with your GI.
Posted 6/15/2016 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
It would be helpful to have some more information so we can respond better. Setting up a signature line is a good idea ( letting us know the exact drugs you are on and the daily mg's and letting us know the extent of your disease i.e. Proctitis, pancolitis, etc.).

How many times a day are you having a bowel movement with blood and how long have you been this way?

I have been admitted and I can tell you that I was going 15-20+ times per day with blood over a period of 2-3 months. Initially I was at about 7-8 times per day and it continued to escalate. I had to go to the hospital for the following reasons: (1) i was severely anemic and almost at the point of transfusion (2) i was severely dehydrated (3) my electrolyte counts were all over the map (4) I lost 30 pounds (5) I couldn't hold down any food.

I don't know where you are at, so I'm not sure if your doctor is being overly cautious. You may or may not need to be hospitalized.

Steroids help most of the time, but depending on how bad your flare is,may need some time to kick in. Can you hold out more than 2 days? elevated white blood cell counts are pretty normal when flaring I believe. I would think unless you are in really bad shape that you could wait awhile for the prednisone to kick in.

Also as an FYI...some of us get excruciating cramping. Nothing too abnormal with that during a UC flare.
Posted 6/16/2016 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Steroids can work near instantaneously or they can take 2 weeks or more to work. It all depends on how severe of a ulcerative colitis flare you're having. There's nothing scary about being admitted to the hospital, infact it's a very good idea if you're flare is really bad. There, you'll get appropriate treatment for your uc they'll address any dehydration and pain you're experiencing, you'll get quicker attention to your uc symptoms and appropriate medication escallation.

It's all a matter of degree, it's appropriate when your uc is severe. Not appropriate if your uc is mild or moderate and can be maintained at home.

Tell us more about your symptoms.
Posted 6/16/2016 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
the only thing i'm confused about is how you went from being 20 on the 10th of june to 19 on the 15th of june ??????

and what were the results of your colonoscopy in December ?

what part of the world are you in where a doc only prescribes pred for 2 days ?
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