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Posted 1/14/2008 8:42 PM (GMT 0)

I'm in the middle of a month long flare.  I was hospitalized for two days last week.  They gave me antibiotics through IV (they thought I had an infection) and Prednisone (40mg) orally.  I've continued taking the steroids; however, I'm still going to the bathroom several times a day.  I'm still having bad cramping and there is still blood with almost every trip to the bowl.  I was on steroids last summer for a flare, but I don't remember them taking this long to "kick in."  How long were you on them before you started to feel "normal" again?  I'm just tired of being so sick!  I can barely care for my son because I'm in so much pain and constantly in the bathroom. This is no way to have to live life. I have another colonoscopy tomorrow. . . . we'll see what that turns up. 

 

Anyway, if anyone has any insite as to when the steroids might start to help, I'd apprecaite it. 

 

-Nicole

Posted 1/14/2008 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
The more times you take prednisone the more resistent you get to it. This time it may take a little longer to kick in than last. But since you are seeing your GI tomorrow anyway I would think about asking for rectal meds. I know how horrible they sound but they really can help a lot. It gets the medicine right where it needs to be.
Posted 1/14/2008 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
For me, anything less than 60mg of pred didn't work for me.  And 60mg only lessened the symptoms - did not take them away.  If you aren't already using an enema, you should consider adding Rowasa (mesalamine) or Colocort/Cortifoam (cortisone enemas/foam).  They really do help with the frequency and urgency.

Posted 1/14/2008 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to both of you for such a quick reply.  I usually only rely on the steroid enemas (hydrocordisone), but I tried to use them a few weeks ago and they did nothing.  I guess that's how I ended up in the hospital and back on prednisone.  I'm hoping that I can try something new because what I'm doing now obviously isn't working. confused
Posted 1/14/2008 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
My flare this summer that sent me to the hospital took me a couple months of prednisone and flagyl before it got better. Then I would do good for a couple days then bleed..it was like 2 steps forward one step back. Hang in there!
Posted 1/14/2008 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes you need to double up the enemas - do one in the morning and one at night.  A bit of a pain in the neck to do the morning dose - but it usually helps.

Posted 1/14/2008 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
It took a long time for the steriods to help me, I got worse before I got better. I'd say it took me 1.5 months. The hydrocortisone e's really helped me, sorry that they have not been doing the trick for you, maybe doubling up will help?
Posted 1/15/2008 10:10 AM (GMT 0)
oh bless, how horrid, my first bout was last yr and all being well im so so now, the pred didnt take long to kcik in last yr about 2 weeks i guess, i know they take months to come out of youre system, 2 months i believe x
Posted 1/15/2008 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Depends on how sick you are. The first time or two I was on it, I had to start at a higher dose and it took a while to feel better. This last time, with a mild flare, I was started in a moderate dose with an immediate taper and I felt better overnight.

Are you doing anything else to support your health? Supplementing with probiotics to restore good gut ecology, taking omega-3s for inflammation, taking l-glutamine to help control diarrhea... there are alot of things you can do to reduce your need for meds.

Posted 1/15/2008 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
its not couse i now feel unwell as such i am just not who i used to be
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