Went to GI, got a few options, Pred being one...help!

Hi all,
Finally gave in and called my GI for this lingering flare that I just can't shake. It's been about a year of good days and not so good days but lately the good days are fewer and father between. I'd tried every combo of Cortifoam, Asacol and mesalamine enemas. Can't get it under control.

I'm not in horrible shape, sometimes I go 3-4 times in the morning with the dry heave sensation then go on with my day. But some days I get pain and it feels like I need to go but it's just gassy and mucus and sometimes blood. This can happen up to 3-6 times in the afternoon/evening. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat at all.

Ok , so my GI, who isn't a big promoter of Pred...gave me the first option of switching to Lialda to see if that made a difference at all. It's been almost 3 weeks and no change.

He gave me the script for Pred so I'd have it if I wanted it. It's 40mg for a week, 30mg for a week, 20/week, then 10/week then 5 every other day for a week.

Pred terrifies me but I don't know what else to do :/

What would you do if you were me? I'm about at my limit...I'm really physically tired and mentally tired of trying to figure out what to do and of not knowing what kind of day I will be having to plan things.

I'm getting ready to just forget it and pop the pred. If I do, what supplements should I take with? How to combat side effects?

My GI did say it was a one time shot...either it helped or it didn't. ..he won't keep putting me on and off of it. He really likes the new biologic Entivyo...but I'm not there yet.

Thoughts?

No I have never been on Pred....and I don't want to now...but I suppose I do see his logic. And he did say 1 time...it works or it doesn't. Then if it does work but I start to flare when I'm off...no more, we will move on.

Ok, potassium. I'm terrified of the side effects!

Yes...he was quite impressed with Entivyo. ..he said like everything else it works for some and not others, but he likes the way it's going.

I think I would go for it if I was in your shoes! as you say you are physically and mentally tired, you need a break and Pred might just be able to give you that whilst you figure out your maintenance plan with your GI.

Also, you can try uceris, which is like pred but with less side effects and is better on your body. I tried it for two weeks and it helped only a little. Some people have great results, others don't. It is worth a try. I got samples from the doc because it is expensive. Pred is cheap

My opinion, do the pred since you've been in this flare for forever already. Don't worry yourself ahead of time about the side effects. You may not have many.

Take calcium, drink a lot of water, consume low salt, take a PPI for your stomach, and do weight bearing exercises while on it.

Thanks alot...y'all are making me feel better about this. I know pred isn't long term, I'm just hoping my maintenance meds can kick back in.

Anyone else feel free to chime in, love the input I get here!