Hi,
I'm new to the forum. Here's a brief history: I am a 38-year-old female. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when I was 17. After a couple of flares, I went into remission (without the use of pharmaceutical drugs) for 16 years. I smoked during this time so that might be why I went into a long remission, according to my GI. After my daughter was born at age 33, I experienced 3 mild flares, which I self-treated with probiotics and the SCD diet. Well, I experienced a major flare this past December which would not go away. I lost 15 pounds and got very sick, although I was not hospitalized. I finally went to see a GI, my first time in 20 years, had a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with left-sided colitis. My GI said I had a "bad case of ulcerative colitis". She prescribed 40 mg. of prednisone and 4.8 grams of Lialda. My symptoms are gone for which I am so grateful. I owe it all to the prednisone, but, like most people, I am counting the days when I can go off of it! I've gained weight, I'm bloated, puffy, anxious, unable to sleep, sleepy during the day, not to mention I have an unbelievably voracious appetite. I'm on my second week of 30 mg. Next week I will taper down to 20 mg. for 2 weeks, and 10 mg. for 2 weeks after that, and then a combination of 10mg/5mg to finish.
My question is: When will the side effects of the prednisone diminish? 20 mg? Or 10 mg? I'd just like some hope and a little relief.
Thank you for your help,
EllieKate
40 mg Prednisone
4 Lialda per day (4.8 g)
7 assorted probiotics per day, including Primal Defense Ultra
SCD Diet since 1/14/08
Assorted vitamins, including a multivitamin
Ativan and trazodone for anxiety and insomnia