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I'm pred how can I help myself with supplements or fiber or meds

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/12/2011 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
HI All,

The pred has calmed things down a bit, blood is not as severe. I'm still having diarreah but it's ok. I'm only on day 5 of 40mg. Should I still be taking my sulfasazine along with pred too? Also since things are healing should I be on a multi vitamin? I have whole food ones. I'm taking VLS#3 twice a day morning and night. I take Candex for yeast maintenance since I was on so much antibiotics and the parasite med which seems to made my D worse.  I wanted to add some fiber like metamucil to firm things up. Any thoughts on how I can help myself?

Thank you,

Linda

Posted 9/12/2011 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 3 courses of Pred this year and all during those Pred courses, I continued taking my medication. Of course they were different from yours but I didn't stop a single medication. AFAIK, Pred is getting everything in control but other medications are needed for maintaining the condition.

I didn't take VSL#3 or Candex but I was on Balsalazide, Azathioprine, Multivitamin, fish oil, B12 and Vit. D.

If you are really interested in fiber, I would recommend Psyllium. (I use psyllium powder from The Vitamin Shoppe. regular psyllium has weird feeling in the mouth.)
Posted 9/12/2011 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
If your doctor didn't instruct you to stop taking sulfasalazine, you should have continued to take it. My guess is you should have. I was still on mesalamine when I was on pred. Call your doc and ask for clarification, though.
Posted 9/12/2011 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
You might want to try Psyllium Seed Powder.  It can help bulk up your BMs.  I also take a calcium supplement too since Prednisone can thin your bones as well as Vitamin C which is good for the immune system. 
Posted 9/12/2011 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Take all of your meds unless your Dr tells you not to.

I find metamucil to be helpful, as well as All-Bran in the morning. I also make sure to eat whole-grain bread (no seeds) every day.
Posted 9/13/2011 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
I made the mistake of stopping Rowasa abruptly while on pred thinking I didn't need it since the pred is so powerful. That was a disaster. My rectum flared out of control. I would recommend you keep taking the sulfasalazine unless the doc tells you to stop.

Some form of psyllium would probably help firm things up.
Posted 9/13/2011 5:11 AM (GMT 0)
Psyllium comes in capsules for easy swallowing. I'm jazzed about it. The psyllium husk powder drinks were grossing me out.

Yes, definitely, on the calcium. I got some osteoporosis because of longterm pred use even though I was at low doses most of the time.
Posted 9/13/2011 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
thanks everyone. My doc said for 6 weeks at 40mg then we'll talk. I'm happy so far. My mind is not worried and I'm not racing for that bathroom, it's a nice break for the stress and aniexty I was having every single day!

I will keep you posted.

Posted 9/14/2011 6:59 AM (GMT 0)
Yikes. Pred at 40 mg. for 6 weeks. That's a long time at such a high dose. How about 2 weeks at 40, then taper. Why six weeks?
Posted 9/14/2011 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
My doc said that would get me into remission. I'm or was pretty bad off if you ask me. Now I don't worry about a bathroom, I feel better. Not formed stool but today  is a full week now. I agree with you. 40mg for two weeks and then lessen. I don't want to be addicted to this stuff, it makes me feel really good for a change. I'm not worried or looking for a bathroom all the time. The mesmelines never got me to this point EVER! I'm feeling free in my mind, what a good feeling to be anxious free!

Gosh I sure hope I get a formed stool along the way. Still mush. but better than the liquid diarreah I was having!

Posted 9/14/2011 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
40mg of pred for the first 2 weeks and then tapering is not unusual, that's generally what I was always put on as well except as I got down to about 3 pills my docs would direct me to start cutting my pill in half and taper even slower...from 3/day for a week then down to 2.5/day for a week until the last week I was only taking half of a pill. Sometimes my taper would take 8 weeks by the time I was completely done them. I also was instructed to take 40 mg for the first 2 weeks (and I had 4 different GI's including my current one, that directed me to take pred this way)...so it's not uncommon at all.

My doc(s) were hoping it would put me into remission as well but it never did...the first few weeks were always the best then as usual it would go downhill.

Posted 9/14/2011 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Fiber was horrible for me when I was dealing with a flare. Be careful and don't assume it is what you need right now. Trial and error ~

My doc also said no vitamins due to binders in them, so ask what your doctor's experience has been before you assume you need them, too.
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