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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/10/2012 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
I tapered down to 30mg steroid this past Sunday only to flare on Wednesday. Yesterday and last night were real bad so I took 40mg this morning. I called my GI in order to have him call in a refill for my Prednisone. When I talked to the nurse, she said that she was going to have me stay on 40mg for the next couple of weeks. She also is having me come in on the 23rd to discuss changing my meds. She (and I) don't believe the Lialda is doing me any good.

So my question it.... what do you all think I need to try next? I have tried Pentasa which did nothing. Been on Lialda since September and it helped alittle, but now doesn't seem to do anything. Only thing that helps is the Prednisone. I am so afraid that I am becoming totally dependent.

Slippery Elm and L-Glutamine seem to have helped me more than anything.
Posted 3/10/2012 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Any reason your only on 3 Lialda. My dose for flaring is 4. Are you using enemas at all? My GI told me when I had my first flare that if we couldn't get things under control I would probably be looking at remicade or humira. Neither of which I can afford. Luckily I haven't had to do that even though I have flared one other time but increasing my Lialda back up and nightly enemas knocks it out. Pred the first time worked...the second time not so much. I won't use it again.
Posted 3/10/2012 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
ree with sherbear. take the max dose of lialda, 4 and do some type of rectal.  i know my dr was considering imuran for me as a next step if all of that doesnt work.
Posted 3/10/2012 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
My doc has never ever said anything about rectal meds. I believe he is leery of upping the Lialda as I have a history of kidney problems. Occassionally, since I have been on Lialda, my urine has been dark if I don't drink enough water throughout the day. I drink ALOT of water daily.

I would love to stay on the Lialda if it would work since I receive cost assistance with it.
Posted 3/10/2012 2:49 AM (GMT 0)
When Asacol wasn't working for me I went to azathioprine (Imuran). I started at 125mg, and that was good for about 5 years? and now I take 150. No side-effects for me. I believe that if I hadn't messed around taking birth control, the 125mg would probably still be doing the job.

You definitely don't want to be on pred longer than you have to. Definitely look into rectal meds.
Good luck!
Posted 3/11/2012 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
I would tell the doctor you want to try rectal meds. I do them as a maintenance once or twice a week but daily if flaring. I would do anything to avoid pred again. Hate it hate it hate it. If I were you I would up the Lialda and ask for rectal meds before moving on to another med.
Posted 3/11/2012 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Ask for rectal meds, Rowasa or Colocort.....Up the lialda...if that doesn't work Imuran or 6mp is next
Posted 3/11/2012 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
Ask for rectal meds, Rowasa or Colocort.....Up the lialda...if that doesn't work Imuran or 6mp is next
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