How Long on Prednisone Before Tapering?

Hi all,

I've been flaring since the beginning of July. I started 40 mgs of Pred about 2 weeks ago after a recent colonoscopy showed severe inflammation in the rectum (the rest of my colon looked perfect).

This is my first time taking Prednisone and luckily, so far it's been pretty uneventful side effects-wise. It has definitely helped my symptoms - I'm now having pretty normal bowel movement 2-3 times a day, no more cramping, and only a tiny bit of blood. My doc just told me to start tapering off at 5mgs a week. I'm very happy that she's the kind of Dr. that wants me on Pred for as short a course as possible but I'm wondering if this seems too soon? I'm very worried about sliding back into a flare. From what I've read here, it seems that every GI has a different approach to tapering, but wondering what your thoughts are in my situation...

Thank you!

iPoop, you are always there with a quick and to the point answer for me. Thank you!

I just had my first flare and was given 40 MG a day. I've been on that dose since 9/13. Unfortunately, my flare was so severe by that time (took 3 weeks to get a GI appointment) that I ended up being emitted to the hospital for a 6 day stay. I'm still on 40 MG a day. Saw my GI Tuesday. Started my new med regime (mesalamine enemy before bed, oral mesalamine 2 pills 4 times a day, 40 MG prednisone a day, and Xanax to help me sleep). I'm supposed to start tapering off in 2 weeks, going down 10 MG every other week. So that will put me at about 5 weeks on 40 MG and 6 weeks of tapering.

Anyway. I'm feeling much better. Pretty much back to normal. Hope to stay that way as I taper off the prednisone. I'm new to all this and I'm concerned about the long term side affects too (heard to many people say they had hip replacements) but I guess you gotta do what you gotta do to get the flare under control.

If you're feeling better it seems like you should start tapering to see what happens. From what I've seen on some of the threads here you want to get off prednisone as quick as possible. The only reason I'm on 40 MG for 5 weeks is because of how bad mine got and I wasn't able to start maintenance drugs (mesalamine from both ends) until this week. GI wants me on those for two weeks before starting the taper which seems legit. Your tapering seems in line with what my GI has me doing.

Sorry if this would be considered hijacking your thread but this made me start to wonder how common hip replacement from prednisone is and what other long term side affects are there?

Glad you're feeling better County! Hope it stays that way as you taper!