words of encouragement needed

I think I am finally on my way to healing. But today feels like a set back.

I was in the hospital in March and since then have started a new regimen of drugs. VSL3 DS, Apriso, Prednisone in am. Supplements at lunch. VSL3 DS and psyllium at dinner. 6mp and Rowasa before bed. I also will use Canasa during the day every once in a while. 

A slow progression but I've gotten down to 2-3 BMs in the am. Rowasa has stopped the bleeding and mucus. A little blood on the tp every other day or so. And sometimes on the stool. But the toilet bowl water is clear and the stools are becoming more and more formed. This is over 3 weeks so far. Usually I get to 3 weeks and things go back down hill again which is why i'm so scared.

I was given the green light to taper the steroids. I've been going down 5 mg every week. I started at 40 out of the hospital and am now at 15.

Today is my 5th day at 15 mg pred I had a little more blood than usual. Just on tp and stool. Is this a set back and things are going to get worse?

I know I still have a few weeks before the 6 mp kicks in...if it does. But does healing have its ups and downs? This is still my first flare.

Any words of encouragement, support or insight are of course appreciated.

TotesMagotes, I would keep an eye on the blood if it doesn't go away then you might want to contact your GI as you might need a higher dose of 6mp. Like you, I am on 6mp to combat a flare. My GI started me at 50mg which is in the lower end of the scale for my body weight. I tapered down to 15mg of pred and my GI saw me again and did a flexible-scope and there was still a lot of inflammation to 60cm. So he bumped me up to 75mg of 6mp which is on the higher end of the scale for my body weight, and he also bumped me back up to 30mg of pred for a month's time. I see my GI again on Tues and he is going to take another look up the pipe, so to speak, and see how I am doing. I guess most GI's start you at the lower dosage of 6mp and then try a higher dosage if the first amount isn't enough. Mine started me with 1mg of 6mp for each KG of body weight. He next moved me up to 1.5mg of 6mp for each KG of body weight. Not sure of your weight but it is pretty easy to figure out on your own where you fit in the 1.0 to 1.5 mg per Kilogram range.

Good luck,

Thanks guys. Knowing there are people out there that can relate really makes this somewhat easier.

I hope tomorrow shows stability like it has been.

@ iPoop - how have your symptoms been at 75 mg of the 6 mp? Any side effects from bumping up. For me I've always had blood. My symptoms started last may when I was 5 months pregnant. I was diagnosed a month after the birth of my son. Streaks of blood when symptoms were low but bloody water when flaring bad. I know I have internal hemmies so I'm wondering if this is them and not my colon.

I've just been feeling so positive for the first time since this all started that I was moving in the right direction. I guess I have to see what the next few days brings.