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Posted 11/10/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all, I started taking Pred 3 days ago and I want to stop after reading all this bad stuff about it. Do I have to taper off or can I just stop?
Posted 11/10/2009 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
You must taper off, don't go by all the things you've read (don't let people scare you) everyone reacts differently, the ponly side-effects I ever had from pred was tiny acne all over my back (once) and boosted energy (which was not a negative side effect in my books). I no longer respond to it but I had been on and off it many times over my 18 yrs of having IBD but I guarantee you this, most everytime I went on it, it was a life-saver for me.

:)
Posted 11/10/2009 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Why did you start on pred?You must of been flaring bad.I have been on pred 3 different times over a 24 year period,i've never had a bad side effect from pred.My doc gets me on and off ASAP,i've been on since July.I started on 40mg,i'm down to 10mg now.If your in pain and bleeding, pred might knock down everything  so you can function and feel somewhat normal .GOOD LUCK
Posted 11/10/2009 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info pb4, I felt better after my first dosage but the last couple feels like it had no affect. What's the best time of day to take it, and during a flare what do you feel is best to eat?
Posted 11/10/2009 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
You're welcome colitiscope (cute name by the way), best time to take pred is first thing in the am, the earlier the better, this will help with any sleep issues at night (racing mind tends to keep you awake from pred), try and cut way way down or completely with salt, lots of people have issues with pred weight-gain and eating alot of salt will add to this (if you're one of those people that may have that side effect), eat as healthy as possible (pred or not) and try eating smaller meals but more frequently (rather than 3 large meals, change it to 5 small meals/snacks) also pred or not, it's alot easier on your digestive system in general to eat that way.

Drink plenty of water too (pred or not), water helps flush toxins from your body. If you can, try doing some cardio (biking, walking, jogging, treadmill, ect) to help fight off any possible pred weight-gain (plus it's healthy anyway to do some exercise) just listen to your body and don't over do it, especially if exercising isn't something you normally do.

:)
Posted 11/10/2009 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I would not stop taking ppred after only three days. Pred is the only thing that has helped me with bad flares. Yes there can be side effects but there are huge side effects of staying in a flare also. To me the risk of staying in a bad flare is worse than the risks associated with pred in most cases. I would give it a chance to work for you before you start tapering off. I agree with pb4 that it is usually best to take it in the morning or at least earlier in the day - always with food... What dosage are you on? Sometimes it takes 3 days to a week to start seeing real progress from the pred.
Posted 11/10/2009 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the info guys. I'm on 40mg right now, and feeling a little better this morning. I was talking it with dinner but will start taking it in the am as suggested as I was having a hard time sleeping. Again, thanks for all the help!
Posted 11/10/2009 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
I used to take 20 in the morn and 20 in the eve when I had bad BM wake up calls at night. Just another suggestion...
Posted 11/10/2009 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
It really is a miracle drug. I've taken it for flares for more than 20 years, and have no lasting effects. My bone density is strong.
So it won't necessarily do anything bad, except give you uncomfortable or weird temporary effects...which are worth it if it gets you out of a flare.
Posted 11/10/2009 7:06 PM (GMT 0)

I like pred too- I just stopped a week long mini-taper, in an attempt to turn around increased bleeding, urgency, mucous, etc. before my next Remicade infusion. And it worked! I've been on the drug for about 1 1/2 years total, & have very little bone loss- minor osteopenia. I did get sort of moony-faced, which I hated. I also got oral thrush almost every time I used it, but that goes away quickly with Nystatin swish & swallow. Mood swings, CRAZY mood swings, insomnia, incredible munchies, joint aches after tapering.... those are some of the more annoying side effects. But it works FAST to get things under control again- at least the first time you use it. Definitely take it in the AM, & dfeninitely do NOT stop without tapering.

Posted 11/11/2009 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
It is very different for every person who takes pred. I have little to no side effects from it and the benefits COMPLETELY out-weigh the risks in my case. You must make the decision based on your reaction to the drug not on other's reactions as we each are very different.
Posted 11/12/2009 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
I had taken prednisone many times over the years (diagnosed 1991), and it has saved me many times. However, after so many times on 40- 60 mgs (once even 80 for a few weeks, yikes!), I had sworn off steroids, resolving that I would go fo surgery if no other options worked. Well, after three year remission i was hit in August with a sudden and severe flare up. I did go on 40 mgs of pred., but felt awful on it. I personally cannot tolerate the drug any more (insomnia, sadness, gitters, diagnosed bone loss,sweats,huge head, nervousness, etc. etc.)
I weaned quickly off, and luckily have achieved remission with increased dose of 6MP, azulphadine, and rowasa enemas. Prednisone is not an option for me anymore, but I will give it credit for helping tremendously in the past. Try it and see how you feel, and follow your doctor 's orders on the weaning process. GOOD LUCK to you, feel better.
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