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Two prednisone questions!

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/26/2010 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
So, after much waiting my doctor put me on pred. Starting at 60mg! Has anyone had their doctor prescribe a starting dose that high?

My other question is: will it stimulate my appetite? Ever since my scope Tuesday I haven't been able to get food down. I chew it and then just can seem to swallow.

The scope and reports showed "severe" inflammation pretty much throughout my entire colon.
Posted 2/26/2010 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
The highest does of Prednisone I've been on has been 40mg...and it did stimulate my appetite, but only after it started to kick in, so I was feeling a lot better and was no longer scared to eat.
Posted 2/26/2010 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Same here..started on 40mg and was there for a bout 3 weeks as most of the inflammation was at the bottom and it took a bit to start working (thanks to this place I learned I prob shoulda been on suppositories or enemas but whatever we learn right) anyway yes my appetite did increase bigtime..I had a bigger appetite than my husband who is almost 200 pounds and 6ft tall!
we would laugh about it!
Posted 2/26/2010 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
I was on 60mg once and I couldn't stand being on that high of a dose. I couldn't sleep and I had really bad anxiety. So I told my GI the highest I will ever take again is 40mg. My appetite came back big time and I gained almost 30 lbs. Good luck!!!
Posted 2/26/2010 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
uldn't gain on pred until very end of course (4 months), but I believe it was the Zyprexa they added for depression. Gained 30 pounds and needed to.
Posted 2/26/2010 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was put on 60 when I was first diagnosed. I started it on a Thursday, and by Friday I had such energy, I took a ladder and a saw outside and hacked the entire 30 foot length of hedge down about 4 feet in height!
And yes, it stimulated my appetite.

I hope it turns you around quickly!
Posted 2/26/2010 5:45 PM (GMT 0)

songlady said...
I was put on 60 when I was first diagnosed. I started it on a Thursday, and by Friday I had such energy, I took a ladder and a saw outside and hacked the entire 30 foot length of hedge down about 4 feet in height!
And yes, it stimulated my appetite.

I hope it turns you around quickly!

LOL, I never got full while on a high dose. Ate constantly.
Posted 2/26/2010 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with you, Dr. A. I used to joke that I'd clean up all the food on the table, then start on the dishes and flatware.

It also makes you retain sodium, which leads to water retention and more weight gain.
Posted 2/26/2010 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
     Over the past eleven + years I have been suffering with this disease the doctor started me at 60 about three times.  He usually starts me at 40.  I am now in a flare.  He wanted me to take 40 mgm for one day and then drop to 20 for the next five days, then down to 10 for five days as I am scheduled for a colonoscopy on the 12th of March and he wants me off the prednisone by then.  However, he said that he would reluctantly do one with me at 10 mgm.  He is afraid of infection and possibly perforation while on prednisone.  Well, I usually use my own judgement and taking 40 mgm for only one day just would NOT cut it.  So I am taking 40 mgm for four days, 30 for four days, etc.  By the 12th of March I should be down to 10 mgm with that taper.  What is your taper, by the way?  Hope he doesn't have you on 60 for too long of a period of time.
Posted 2/26/2010 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I was on 60mg first time on pred and 40mg the next and ate so much hubby would phone on his way home and ask what i wanted to eat even went on late night supermarkrt trips for me good luck.
Posted 2/26/2010 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
I was on 40mg for a week and I was very hungry. I was moving at the time and I swear, I packed up my entire place and moved boxes that were so heavy that my family was suprised I did it all by myself. I couldn't sleep at all and I ate constantly. I have heard of people starting at 60mg but usually it seems like we start at 40mg. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Posted 2/26/2010 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
I think I'm on 60 for a full week and then tapering 10mg a week? Not sure, actually, he gave me the script over the phone and I have an appt. Thursday. I took my first dose roughly 5 hours ago and I'm high. As a kite. And already hungry...
Posted 2/26/2010 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hold on and enjoy it. Mood swings, Weight gain and how for me, No sleep, eating everything insight. Im down to 6 from 60 since June 2009 and can't wait to be to 0 and work on losing the over 100lbs I gain from it.
Posted 2/26/2010 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
I was on 60 at least once, a very long time ago, because I begged my GI to let me take more!! It was before many of the other meds were available.
I remember I was wildly jittery, but I was also very sick and desperate for relief.

It only takes 30 or 40 for me to feel the need to eat nonstop.
Posted 2/26/2010 11:15 PM (GMT 0)

My highest was 40 mg, and the first time I took it I felt fantastic.  The second time at the same dose of 40 I was a jittery anxiety ridden mess. 

Also, I lost weight the second time I was on it, in Nov. and I haven't gained it back.  Which just goes to show that it effects everyone differently and even the same person differently each course. 

Posted 2/27/2010 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
I was on 60 when I was first diagnosed, at about 100 pounds! It saved my life, I'm sure.
Posted 2/27/2010 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
I always have to start at 60mg. I used to start at 40mg, but that just doesn't do it for me anymore. And I do the same taper - down by 10mg a week until 20 mg, then down by 5 mg a week. It's a long process, but it's the only thing that gets me in remission...for awhile anyway! I do have trouble sleeping - I take an over the counter sleep aid for the first couple of weeks. Good luck!
Posted 3/3/2010 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Prednisone for nearly a year. Started at 60mg, tappered down to 5mg a day a few months later. Then had a problem transitioning to a maintanence drug and went back up to 60mg. I've gained 35lbs in 10 months - disgusting! Mood swings, my head was buzzing when on anything 40mgs and up. It does clear up my flares though.

When I tapper down, after sitting/laying for more than 15 minutes my legs and feet hurt like hell when I stand and walk. At least i think it is from the prednisone, I hope so or there is some other issue which would suck!

Like songlady I had the super energy at one point in my first round of prednisone. Cleaned my garage on day for like 9 hours straight!

Been exhausted ever since the second round. One year into this disease and I am praying Imuran can sustain my remision.. I am fat and tired. If this fails, surgery my not be far away.
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