update

Hi All

I had a colonoscopy today and it was normal! Of course I have to wait for the biopsies but it was visually normal. I had weaned to 3mg of prednisone and have been on pred for 4.5 months with the last 1.5 months on 5mg. I have also been taking 9 balsalazide and using Rowasa along with Humira. My doc said to stop all drugs except for Humira. I had just dropped pred to 3mg yesterday from 4mg so I thought I should continue to wean by 1mg. I had blood tests ie. p-Anca, Asca and while indeterminate it leaned towards UC although Doc still thinks it might be Crohns colitis. I'm not sure Balsalazide helps Crohns that's why I mentioned the tests.

Question: How would you stop the other meds? slowly, suddenly etc.??
Secondly- I'll take a congrats as its the first normal scope I've had in 2 years!!!!

To Add: I was stuck on 5mg of prednisone for a bit with bleeding here and there and I saw a brilliant Acupuncurist and cut out grains for the last 3 weeks. I haven't seen blood for 3 weeks. so was it Humira kicking or the other methods to finally push it over the top?? Who cares ..it worked. So now on week 13 of Humira -- in case it helps others.

Congrats!!!!

I’m not sure about the other meds. I know for me once I started remicade I dropped all of my other meds at once but I was flaring at the time. I’m guessing if you were in those meds when you started flaring they aren’t the reAson you are in remission.

Countess that’s such great news!! Congrats. Btw I saw the gi you see and really like him. He’s my specialist at penn now. So thank you!!

I agree with parts of everyone’s suggestions lol. If it were me I would first taper pred. Make sure I was stable for a few weeks once off. Then drop the oral balsalazine. Make sure I’m stable for a couple weeks. Then last start tapering rowasa. My gi and I like 2 weeks every other, 2 weeks every third, then 2 weeks twice a week then off. I know it’s long but then you know what is what and not wondering which med is causing an issue. However like kkidz said it’s mist likely the biologic doing the work. So I’m confident you will do great!!

Thanks iPoop once again and others for responding. I'm not giving up Rowasa as it was one med in the past that did put me in remission!! My colon responds well to Rowasa. My inflammation was on the left side so I can see why.


Totes! I've been thinking about you and wondering how you are doing with the pregnancy and your stubborn area.
Was Dr T able to help?? He is so caring and he responds to text messages. When is the baby due/??

Yes I do think Humira is doing the heavy lifting as I've been Balsalazide for awhile and flared on it while on 15mg of prednisone. I've been unable to get down from 5mg of pred (with minor symptoms) but started feeling really good a few weeks ago so confidently weaning down now. I am definitely tapering prednisone and am on 3mg now etc. Will get off of it in the next few weeks.

Thanks for thinking of me countess! I’m doing ok. The last flex sig I had before I got too pregnant was right before Christmas. It showed the stubborn area had gone from a 2 inch ring of moderate inflammation to one mild ulcer the size of a nickel. So that was great to hear. Staying on cort enemas a few times a week til I go in for my c section on March 6. So just about 2 weeks til she’s here. Then after both gi’s have suggested stopping to see how my body handles it. They want to see if I flare again at which point we will change my biologic. No one thinks staying on cort enemas is a good idea. I’ve heen on them for almost 2 years with a couple breaks.

We will see I guess. Trying to stay positive. I have been feeling good the last month or so and I’m grateful for that. This pregnancy has been low key and I’m grateful for that even more. I’m scared of course to go backwards again. Rough 2 years up until recently.

Dr T was so nice. I see him again in April for a follow up. Working with 2 gi’s to make the most informed decisions post birth