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Prednisone kicking in

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Posted 5/5/2010 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
I was just released from the hospital and was prescribed prednisone

50 mg/5 days
40 mg/5 days
30 mg/5 days
20 mg/5 days
10 mg/ 5 days

in the hospital i was given IV steroids and 2 days of 50 mg prednisone

It does seem to be working, once i take it in the morning I usually dont have a bowel movement until the late evening, but my nights and mornings are still pretty rough, I get out of bed to go to the bathroom 4-5 times and have 3-4 bowel movements in the morning, although they are much smaller and usually no blood as compared to before starting prednisone. It does seem to gradually improve every night.

Is this pretty much normal and can I expect it to gradually get better....say in a week or so Ill stop having to get up all night?

Today was day 2 of being home, so I have 3 more days at 50 mg. I know everyone reacts differently but other people's experiences with prednisone would be greatly appreciated. And luckily I have not noticed any of the bad side effects... I could use a few extra pounds though...lost about 35-40 in the past 2 months!
Posted 5/5/2010 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I started at 40mg and I saw huge improvement within 2 or 3 days. I didn't have luck tapering as quickly as you say they have asked you to. I did a full week at each dose and when I got down to 15mg, I had to decrease by 2.5mg. I still have morning BMs. I am like clockwork. I don't get up in the night thankfully, that's always the worst feeling, never getting a decent nights sleep. I hope you're feeling better quickly.
Posted 5/5/2010 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
What all other meds are you on? It would help if you created a signature so it's always there. :)

As for the pred, it sounds like you'll probably need to stay at a higher dose a bit longer before you start to taper. I'd call your GI and see what (s)he says.
Posted 5/5/2010 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
It's great you're improving! What a relief, I bet, after all you've been through!
To expand a little on what Fruitgirl said, a lot of us have been told that our symptoms should have improved dramatically - like, in your case, not only no blood at night, but maybe no bm's at night - before beginning the taper. It would be worth calling your doc to ask.
Keep us posted! It sounds like you're on the right track!
Posted 5/5/2010 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Do you split the dose of prednisone??? I had to start splitting it when i was in the hospital because like you i was having a hard time at night and it did work to keep things quiet and give me a good night sleep. Good luck!
Posted 5/6/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
     My doctor usually keeps me at a certain level for 7 days and then taper by 5 mgm per week. Whenever I did the 10 mgm per week taper I always wound up flaring by the time I got between 20 or 10 mgm.
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