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Why should or shouldn't I take Pred?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/21/2009 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Tried it via a Medrol Dose Pak for some tailbone pain a couple of weeks ago and I felt amazing but when I asked my GI to try a low dose plan he said no citing the more serious side effects like liver, bone and optical issues.
Posted 2/21/2009 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I took Prednisone once. It was when I first found out I had Colitis. My condition was very serious and I had no idea what I could do to help the inflammation. I was at risk for losing my colon. Prednisone was a temporary fix. It gave me time to find something that worked.

I would not keep taking Prednisone every time I flare. There are just too many side effects. I value the rest of my body more I value my colon.
Posted 2/21/2009 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Short term uses of steroids are fine but long term usage is not advisable. It may make you feel better NOW but a few years from now it can actually cause much more damage such as bone loss, cataracts/glucoma and adrenal gland malfunction. Long term usage is not wise if you value the rest of your body. I know what you mean though. I have had to resort to cortisteroid injections in my neck (for bulging discs) and even though it's not as powerful as oral pred, I still get some systemic reactions such as feeling better Uc wise. But even then they will only limit my injections to 3 times a year - mainly because of the whole body long term reactions.
Posted 2/22/2009 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks.

Anyone here taking low/maint dose pred and how is it going?
Posted 2/22/2009 6:21 PM (GMT 0)

If anyone is on long term low dose prednisone for UC that person's GI is doing them a great disservice and in my opionion that doctor should not be practicing.  Your GI is wise to keep you off of it as a long term solution.  Long term prednisone use, even at low doses, is dangerous to health.  The damage it can do is not reversible.  Best to have surgery if prednisone is the only drug to provide relief from UC.

Sue

Posted 2/22/2009 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
I took 40mg for 18 months b/c nothing else kept my flare under minimal control. Any time I started a taper I couldn't get past 30mg before becoming super sick.

I haven't had any permanent side effects yet, but then again I haven't had a bone density test and not a lot of time passed for me to make a definite observation. Today is my last day of prednisone and I am SO EXCITED!!! It's an amazing feeling knowing that I will no longer have to take those little white pills!!!

You can post your thoughts on the ostomy forum b/c most of the people on there also took it long term prior to their need for surgery. Which, is exactly what my story is. Some people do have permanent side effects and they will be more than happy to tell you their experiences.

I call prednisone the Devil's Advocate drug b/c it does amazing things for a devilish price.
Posted 2/22/2009 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks What about these short term treatments that have been mentioned...how many times per year is considered ok and what is the dosage?
Posted 2/22/2009 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
For those of you who are pregnant or who have recently had a baby and are thinking about taking Prednisone...

I was told the cut off time was three months for high doses of Prednisone (>20mgs). In other words, there is a much higher chance of high doses of Prednisone causing serious side effects after the three month cut off date.

You shouldn't take Prednisone when you are pregnant or breast feeding.

I did fecal transplantation using the feces of my granddaughter when she was a baby. It put my flare immediately into remission. It was fast, easy, and had no side effects (other than making my colon better).
Posted 2/22/2009 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the pred 3 mo info. Any idea what the success rate of the transplants is?
Posted 2/22/2009 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty anti-pred only because the time I took it I felt horrible, was chubby and crabby. I told my GI NEVER again and he agreed that was fine. Its all personal choice.

By the way...I wrote a post for you regarding my remission...
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1382375
Posted 2/22/2009 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
Actually I was told by my doctors and read that prednisone is prescribed for woman who may be in early labor to help the babies lungs develop. I was on 40mg of prednisone my entire pregnancy and during my four months of nursing. My son is very healthy...very smart...and very fun!!!

I was at high risk due to the prednisone and the UC so I saw a high risk doctor, my normal OB/GYN and we had weekly biophysicals starting at the end of my 6th month.

We had not realized I was sick w/ UC when we became pregnant. My initial flare literally started one month before we conceived. : ) Otherwise, we would have probably taken care of the UC and really thought out pregancy with this disease prior. I was not aware of a mega colon or the real risks of being pregnant with severe UC. But then again we did not realize how bad my condition was until none of the medications worked. : )

To be honest, my placenta and umbilical chord were both under developed. They don't know if that is because of the prednisone or just a side effect of the disease and nutrient issues.

Now the prednisone has not caused any form of disability to my son at all what-so-ever. He is just absolutely amazing!!!

This is just my experience and I had not read much about negative side effects prednisone could have during pregnancy...and I researched it a lot b/c I was super paranoid.
Posted 2/23/2009 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hey RobinByrd,

I was also on pred while pregnant, mostly just the 2nd trimester and then for awhile postpartum..my daughter is also fine, absolutely healthy--she is now 2 years old. The main concerns Dr.'s had with me taking it while pregnant were becoming diabetic and high blood pressure, and I did struggle with both of those. I was also a wicked crazy insomniac the whole time...they told me the same thing about the pred helping her lungs grow in case she was premature, but that didn't happen. I was watched pretty carefully and had to take an IV of pred during labor even though I was already off it by then in case my adrenals didn't kick in, but again no problems there.

I was totally unaware of how bad the side effects were when I went on it, but then I was really sick as well. That said, I am making it my mission not be on pred or Imuran(which I just got taken off of due to my white blood cell count plummeting) for my next pregnancy. I have been on pred three more times since giving birth as well as Imuran and switched from Asacol to Lialda to Sulfasalzine and I'm done. You want to talk about the dangers of UC meds during pregnancy, take a look at Imuran, that'll scare you straight.

In general, stay off prednisone if you can. It of course is really helpful when you are really sick and works really fast, but the short and long term side effects are soo not worth it. Every time I have to go on it again, I experience the side effects faster and more severely than before. Physically and emotionally, it messes me up to the point of seeking therapy.
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