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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/2/2013 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
i started a flare up in december and when i got back from hollidays i went to the ER cause i was going to the bathroom with bloody diareah every half hour. my GI prescribed me pred at 40mg for one week and then i had to taper. last time i was on pred it took me two weeks before i started seeing a difference. i still had some pred at home so took one extra week of 40mg. now im down to 35mg and im still seeing blood. i dont have so much urgency but i have still blood mixed with my stool. not sure if i should go back to the ER or just wait it out and see if ill get better by my next appointment with my GI which is thursday coming up.
Posted 2/2/2013 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
You should not go to the ER unless you have such frequent diarrhea that you get dehydrated. You are not in an emergency.

How is your iron level?

It sounds like the pred is working, although slower than you would like. Are you supposed to taper again before you see the GI next week? I suggest that you don't. Stay at 35 mg for a 2nd week and talk to the GI about how to do the taper based on symptoms rather than some arbitrary schedule.
Posted 2/2/2013 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
      I would stay at the 35 mgm dose until you see your GI doctor on Thursday.  See what he has to say about the blood.  The fact that your urgency has decreased sounds promising.  Good luck!
Posted 2/2/2013 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
To Cyn555, I agree with kazbern, I wouldn't reduce the prednisone again, but let the GI know. I've not heard of the salafalk enama, if it's an autoimmune suppresant it may need, more time. Drink plenty of water, as well you know, and if I were you I would cut out any kind of sugar product. I've substituted honey which is easier to digest. I plan on going gluten free as soon as I can get the staples.

Diagnosed with uc in 2009, 74 yrs. old. history of colon cancer in the family, considering surgery before too long. Meds: Asacol HD - 4800 mg./day, 40 mg. prednisone for current flare up of 6 wks, more bland diet and smaller portions. Working on the humira route as soon as I can be approved...very costly. Recent colonoscopy showd pancolitis

Good luck, until they've experienced it, no-one knows how difficult this can be at times. cool
Posted 2/2/2013 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with everyone that you should not taper further until your appointment and that you probably don't need to go to the ER with an appointment that close.
Posted 2/2/2013 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
IF THERE'S A BLESSING IN THIS DISEASE, IT'S THAT WE BECOME AMATEUR PHAMACISTS, AND OUR OWN PATIENT ADVOCATES.
Posted 2/2/2013 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
thanks everyone. ill stay on 35 mg until i see my doc. ever since i gave birth to my daughter in june its problem after problem. and with my luck also i caught a really bad cold. with my immune system supressed its not going away fast enough. it really sucks when you have a full time job too. im just hoping these symptoms go away soon and my GI finds the right meds to keep me remission.
Posted 2/2/2013 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Are you still taking Imuran? 25mg seems like a very low dose. Have you had the test to see whether you're in the therapeutic range? You should definitely see your GI and find out the options. Maybe you can put in an emergency call and someone will get back to you this weekend?
Posted 2/2/2013 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
yes i am still on 25mg. i was on 100mg but my GI got my bloodwork back and i wasnt metabolizing it right. she put it down to 25mg and added zyloprim(allopurinol). i went for bloodwork last week and she should get the results back by my next appointment to see im in the theraputic range. probably not so shell probably put up my imuran dose then.
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