Update on symptoms- opinions would be appreciated :)

Ok so I am still taking 5mg pred. Also using mesalamine enema nightly, apriso 4 pills a day, and colostrum now. My symptoms are 1-4 Bm a day, soft formed. Sometimes d if I eat something really unhealthy. I have blood coming and going. It will be on the paper and in the stool. It is usually daily. Some days it isn't there. What do you guys think? Should I stay at 5 until it ceases? Anything you would add?

Chrissy soul -

Don't know all the ins and out of your condition - however, have you ever been in real remission? How long have you been on 5 mg? As the previous poster asked, was there any blood with 10mg? 7.5mg? I was on all those other drugs you are on, and they made me worse (i believe I had an allergy to them)...being on 20mg of prednisone masked that..less then 20 mg and using those drugs made me worse 'til i stopped taking them (the asacaol/mesalimine/etc.).

Talk to your GI as suggested...it may be you try another week or two at 5 mg and see if it clears up...if not, you might go back up on pred and try a little less (or none at all) of those other drugs.

jimmy

Have you ever tried using rectal meds 2x a day? Perhaps a higher dose mesalamine orally would be helpful? Have you ever tried Lialda? Is your UC limited to the rectum or is it throughout? Your symptoms sound like they aren't too severe so maybe adding another rectal would help. Have you ever tried cortifoam?

Is this 1-4 the norm? Have you had strictly 1-2 with full formed on higher doses? If so you may have tapered too fast.

You could try Asacol or Asacol HD, maybe you would be able to get those for cheaper with your isnurance? Asacol 400 is a lower dose but you can take up to 12 a day for a full 4800mg.

I walk around with a Canasa in my bum often lol. I am never comfortable if I use an enema and go out of the house, just seems like you're waiting for some sort of explosion. I've done it with good result but it scares me a little.

Chrissy

Have you ever tried a steroid enema? Perhaps going back to 10 mg oral plus a steroid enema alternated with either suppositories or generic Rowasa would get you to a lower oral dose and eventually off the oral steroid.

I can't remember whether you've tried VSL#3 yet. it makes a difference for me, helped get me to remission and keeps me there. But of course it's $80/box which lasts me 30 days. the DS version is even more expensive but I feel VSL is worth a try anyway to see if symptoms are lessened.

good luck.