Pred questions

I just came back from my dr and he wants me on prednisone for the next 8-9 weeks. I am not sure I am ready to take it, but I will if it means I will actually get better instead of this up and down ride I have been on for the past 3 weeks.
So, does this plan seem like something that makes sense? I am to take 30 mg (I am under 100 pounds) for 3 weeks, then taper to 20 for 2-3 weeks depending upon my symptoms and then 10 for 2-3 weeks as well. Also, for those who have used pred, other than the bloating, insomnia, hunger, hair loss, etc, what should I expect from the drug?

I'm taking 4 lialda and nightly enemas as well. (the 4 is only recently up from 3 a few days ago)

Thanks!

...no two dances with prednisone are the same...

Just about sums it up perfectly!

Did your doc scope you to see how much inflammation and its severity? I know you've been on steroid enemas a few weeks now. They haven't helped? Your flare sounds just like mine...a roller coaster.

Everyone reacts to prednisone differently and as ipoop said each time for the same person can be different. I am lucky enough to not experience any physical side effects. I am unlucky enough to experience all of the mental side effects.

If your doctor is describing the inflammation as bad, it's probably better to nip it in the bud before it spreads or worsens. No sugar coating it: prednisone absolutely sucks. I had weight gain, moonface, insomnia, hair loss - pretty much everything except the crazy mood swings some people get. But sometimes prednisone is the best or only thing to break the flare cycle.
8-9 weeks isn't that long, but if you're uncomfortable with your doctor or your maintenance meds, it may be a good idea to take the prednisone and use those weeks to search for a new doctor and someone who won't be so reluctant to adjust your regular medication.

I would take it all first thing in the morning so that maybe you can sleep.
Good luck

For that dosage, take them all at once in the morning.

There are some things you can do to help with side effects. Start drinking a lot of water. Cut down on sugar and sodium. Keep an eye on your calorie intake, but expect to gain 5 - 10 lbs of water weight (this comes off quickly once you finish the script). Melatonin can help with the insomnia.

Take all three at once in the morning and take them with food or milk so they don't upset your stomach. I've never heard of pred being diagnosed by weight. I weight 112 and always got put on 40 just like everyone else I know. Not saying he's wrong but I've never heard of that. Hope it helps you! It should provide relief within a few days. I'm currently tapering off of it. I'm on 10 mg, down from two weeks at 40-30-20.

If I were you, I would do a 7 to 10 days steroid burst. That's when you either take a high dose for all 7 to 10 days and then stop cold turkey or you start very high and taper every day until you hit zero by the seventh or 10th day.

This has worked really well for me even when I've been flaring worse than you. This regimen is commonly used for asthma or other acute inflammation. It reduces the side effects and shocks your body so the inflammation goes down fast.

If you're on steroids for only 7 to 10 days, tapering is actually not necessary.

Of course, check with your doctor. Many of us have used this successfully including me.

I think People do better with a high dose of steroids in the short-term rather then a lingering course of steroids where you slowly go down to zero over the course of weeks or months.

I recommend you take the entire does with breakfast.