prednisone, asacol, and driving me crazy

hi,
it seems the only time i feel confident that i'm not going to crap myself is when i am on prednisone. i have had to take frequent bathroom trips during work since i have been off prednisone for a couple weeks. i am debating whether i should hang in there and live my life in paranoia or go back on the evil prednisone. i am taking fosomax after a bone density scan so hopefully that offsets some of the prednisone issues. i know my doctor is trying to get me to stay off prednisone. i am also on remicade which i'm not sure if its helping or not. i am trying to eliminate corn syrup since i have a slight allergy - to be confirmed further by a blood test - but the only thing that keeps my stomach settled is drinking gatorade which has corn syrup - even watered down fruit juices seem to either make me sick or not quench my thirst. i'm just frustrated. i'm not asking for medical advice. just experiences. thanks.

I started a flare and my doctor put me on prednisone and upped my asacol dose - I know you are taking other medications but I guess it didn't relize that asacol 2-3x was a small dose. I think you can go up to 12 pills a day. Just an idea because I think asacol is not so much to help the flare but to keep you in remission. I think this might have been my problem anyway.

Have you ever used Cortifoam? (10% steroid rectal foam) In my experience it's very effective against urgency, which mainly comes from inflammation of the rectum. It's also neater & more convenient to use than liquid enemas. I agree with your doc that you should stay off Pred if possible; it has too many major side effects over time, including cataracts. Can you tolerate plain boiled rice? A serving daily can also help reduce urgency. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)

I agree with Old Hat. You need to be on rectal meds. Try what she suggested or even the steroid enemas. They've always been very effective for me.

Good luck!

Mitz

try eliminating caffeine, that helps me.

RE unsettled stomach + thirst : can you get Apple/Eve Natural Cranberry (100% juice) where you shop? I have found small sips of it to be very settling, especially in early AM. (Good for kidney function, too.) I agree that it's better to avoid Gatorade, not only because of sweeteners, but also because of added dyes/coloring agents. Since you have some already-diagnosed allergies, you could be sensitive to those additives as well. Try bringing some bottled water along with you to work, etc. for thirst-quenching. I think that all of us taking oral 5-ASA meds need to keep them moving thru our bods so we should hydrate with water predominantly. / Old Hat

for what it is worth, i have frequency when not on pred also, even if no blood. so, I can relate. a few thoughts
1 - the frequency might be a passing stage, so while you're frustrated, remember that it might not be here to stay
2. if you aren't eating much, a different liquid you could try is "ensure" which has calories and vitamins and can be good for keeping nutrition up. I don't know if it has corn syrup, but might be worth checking.
3. always good old chamomile or peppemint teas. have those been helpful with thirst? maybe if you let them cool and then drink them cold?

good luck. I totally understand your frustration. but, if it is any consolation, you're probably much more aware of it than anyone else in your life. probabbly no one else notices.