Question about Clipper 5mg (beclometasone dipropionate)

After having a severe flare where I was hospitalised 3 times back in 2005, I acheived remission by taking Azathioprine which allowed me to finally come off pred.  I only stayed on it for 4 months however as it caused me to have severe hair loss, nausea and I generally felt very low.

I managed to stay in remission until fairly recently, where I am flaring but not as severely as I have done in the past.

My recent colonoscopy showed moderate left sided colitis and my consultant wants me to start taking 6 mp, which I am not keen on doing.  I have been prescribed a 4 week course of clipper 5mg gastro-resistant prolonged release tablets (beclometasone dipropionate) and have to go back once the course is finished to see how effective they have been and whether I can avoid starting the 6 mp.  I also take 3x3 Balsalazide daily.

I would be grateful if anyone could tell me if they have taken clipper 5mg and how effective it is, as I really don't want to take immnosuppressants again.  Also, has anyone experienced any side effects with clipper?  My consultant tells me that this is a new steroid without the horrible side effects such as moon face, excessive hunger etc.  Also it is just one tablet per day without the need to taper.

Thanks

Thank you for your reply.

You are correct in assuming I am from the UK and also right that I have been incredibly lucky to have stayed in remission for so long.  I have had four fantastic almost symptom free years, and in that time got two beautiful German Shepherd dogs, that I have a great time outdoors with.  I had almost forgotton that I had UC and had spent over a year unable to leave the house.  I just hope that I can get this sorted before it progresses to how bad it was before!

I have been reading posts here again for a few weeks now, and have read with interest people's experiences with Remicade - I was unaware that this is not an option in the UK.

I have previously tried Asacol but didn't find it helpful and am now taking Balsalazide - not sure it is helping at all.

Thanks for your suggestion concerning rectal medications, with minor flares in the past I found Predsol enemas at night and Salofalk enemas in the morning to be helpful so will make an appointment with my doctor to get some of those.

It's been so long since I was on this site that many of the names have changed........is Dansky no longer a forum moderator?

Thanks

Joanna