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How long for high dose pred to kick in?

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Posted 10/16/2009 8:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

I've been having a bad flare for a couple weeks (lots of blood and BMs), so my doctor put me on high dose prednisone (60 mg/day--I'm a big girl), but after a week it's only done a little (less blood and pain, slightly more energy), so I'd been dragging myself through work and whatnot.

Anyhow, I had a follow up this morning and the doc wanted to admit me for IV steroids because the flare wasn't improving fast enough.  I wasn't prepared to miss a full week of work and although my health still sucks, I'm not totally helpless yet, so he agreed to let me try total bedrest this weekend (after checking my blood) and continue the oral steroids and reassess on Monday.

My question for those of you who've done this before (I've not) is about how long did it take for the steroids to kick in and really fix the problem?  I don't want to be stuck on them forever because I'm scared about the long-term side effects, but I've got to get this flare under control so that I can get my life back.

(And yes, yes... I AM resting even though my students who I've been working with for MONTHS have their city wide theater competiton tomorrow and I'm feeling just awful about letting them down when they've put so much work into this project... UGH!)

Posted 10/16/2009 9:02 AM (GMT 0)
At that high of a dose, it should kick in by about a week, no more than two. Usually much faster, but in my case it worked quickly, but then just as quickly stopped being effective.
Posted 10/16/2009 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
In my experience, prednisone would kick in within a couple of days at the right dose -- definitely within a week.
Posted 10/16/2009 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
     It should kick in within a week.  At least it does in my case.  I am now prednisone dependent, takes longer to kick in and I have to be on it longer...this last bout 3 1/2 months.  I felt better for about a month and a half and now am having diarrhea with a bit of blood again. mad
Posted 10/16/2009 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Pred worked well for me my first flare-up at 40 mg for a week: controlled the bleeding but didn't stop the inflammation so I went on Remicade. The second flare worked even better: 20mg for a week, no blood no inflammation. But now, I've been on it for a month and a half at 40 mg, then 60mg, and now slowly tapering and the bleeding still isn't gone.
I thought I got tolerant to the drug but then my GI said that every flare-up is different and reacts differently to steroids. Ask about steroid enemas before the IV. I've never had the IV but I could imagine that really should knock it out. What are you eating also? You gotta couple it up with diet and A LOT of rest. It sucks, I know. I feel for you...
Posted 10/17/2009 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to those of you who responded. I'm not sure about food. I'm having a lot of problems figuring out which things food-wise bug me and which don't. I'm trying to keep low-fat, simple foods--banana smoothies and that sort of thing.

Prednisone has been making me crazy hungry, which is annoying because my bowels can't handle too much at once.

I did discover when I caved to a massive craving for mac & cheese that a small amount of dairy seems to help with forming more solid stools, but then discovered too much is REALLY bad.
Posted 10/18/2009 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
My experiance, at 40mg would kick in within 2 days...BUT it doesn't "fix the problem" it's considered a "bandaid" med or a booster med 1. to give a severe flare a bit of a break 2. to be used until maintenance med(s) kick in.

It stopped working for me all together a few yrs ago now.


:)
Posted 10/18/2009 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi it took 2 weeks to kick in for me.... and it was great when it did I couldnt believe the difference it made, side affects arnt too nice.

I would try eating a very bland diet ... banana smootihies arnt a good idea, i would try veggie juices and things like baked potato,chicken and rice, chicken and salad, reduce red meats ... eat lots of fish and try to avoid dairy in large amounts.

hope it kicks in for you soon

Nessie
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