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Prednisone Tapering?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/1/2012 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
OK. I want to start off by saying I am not a GI nor am I nearly as educated as them and to be honest, I don't know much about UC. What I do know reflects my own experience. With that said, I want to against my GI's advice. In one year, I've been on Prednisone 3 times now. I realize that going on it again is important for me at the current time because I'm flaring BIG time. My GI told me to go on 40mg for a week then down to 35mg to 30mg the next week and so on and so forth.

Would it be a BIG deal if instead of taking each dose (40,35,30 ect.) for a week, I instead take it for 6 days? I HATE prednisone and it's side affects and I dont want to be on it for sooo long. By cutting out a day from each does I'll be off of it quite a bit sooner. What do you think?
Posted 2/1/2012 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
I think if you are flaring big time, like you say you really need to follwo the Dr's advice and take each dose (40,35,30etc) for at least a week- and hope that is enough!
When my daughter was falring big time she was on Pred for a good 3 months and at the same time we started 6-MP (Imuran) at the same time. As she tapered off the Pred the 6-MP kicked in and she got off Pred and has been maintained on the 6-MP for almost 2 years now.
She is a very healthy 11 yr old now- do I want her on 6-MP...No but I don't have a choice and I am grateful that it is working for her.
She has not had any issues, is growing and I just pray that it keeps working for her!

Prednisone is not a fun drug to be on and really should be avoided any way possible.
It sounds like it is time for you to try Imuran again and stop worrying so much- it is not good for your UC!

Flaring is the owrst place to be, not good for you, your colon and your long term health- Best of luck to you!
Posted 2/1/2012 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
I think you're not maintaining well with your current meds and you need to explore the options. Being on pred 3x in a year is too many!
Posted 2/1/2012 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
If you are flaring very badly then 1 week of Prednisone at 40mg probably isn't enough to bring down the inflammation. Tapering shouldn't start until flaring calms down.

I would call your Dr. after 1 week of 40mg if you are still flaring badly and ask if you should continue at current dosage for another few weeks. Otherwise feel free to follow the prescribed tapering schedule.
Posted 2/1/2012 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
i agree with notsosicklygirl. you should not have to be on prednisone 3x in a year. that means prednisone is not working for you at all. since one stint of prednisone lasts me 3.5 months, i can't imagine being on it non-stop for an entire year. you should try 6mp or remicade. prednisone causes so many problems in your body. i wouldn't say taper quicker though. SLOWER will be better for you if you're so sick. i did 2.5 mg a week and sometimes stayed on the same dosage for 2 weeks.
Posted 2/1/2012 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Try a smaller dose, I understand its necessary to be on a higher dose to get it under control, but try just starting at 10 or 15mg.
Posted 2/1/2012 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Stereo, it doesn't make sense to start at a lower dose. Start high, then taper, and hang out longer at lower doses to hopefully taper successfully without symptoms returning. But there needs to be a maintanence med plan put in place - you should not have to repeat prednisone several times in one year.
Posted 2/1/2012 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
kazbern,
I have been up as high as 80mg of the dreaded prednisone and since then I always try 20 at first and it works most of the time!
I can always double it to 40 if needed, but it feels soo much better knowing that the taper is from 20 rather than 40 or 50.
As with all meds, it's best to find the lowest possible dose.

Also, I firmly believe that we are our own advocates, I've gone against my doctors orders many times , it's my body I know whats going on much better than he does.
Posted 2/1/2012 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
From what everyone has told me, I think that I should take the doses for a week just like my GI has said. God forbid that the Pred does not work and I have to start all over again. BTW I forgot to mention that I am also taking Imuran with this. The goal is to get off of Pred and get onto Imuran.
Posted 2/1/2012 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Oh that's good. I hope Imuran does the trick for you. I've been having success with 6mp.
Posted 2/2/2012 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks! :)
It worked once, here's hoping it'll work again!
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