long term effects pf prednizone

I have had UC for 20 years, usually one of two flares a year, knock them down with Pred, 40MG a week then taper. What are the long term effects of prednizone

The long term side effects of prednisone are irreversible things like osteoporosis, glaucoma, and type ii diabetes.

Obviously, your uc maintenance medications aren't sufficient if you're taking pred once or twice a year.

What uc maintenance medications are you taking and doses?

If you cannot swallow big pills, then that certainly eliminates delayed-release-coated meslamine pills (asacol hd, lialda, apriso, etc). However, you do have several options within that first anti-inflammatory family of uc drugs:

1.) Colazal (balsalazide) which comes in openable, soft capsules. Some sprinkle it in yogurt or apple sauce and then take their medications that way.

2.) Sulfasalazine pills should be crushable.

Colazal and Sulfasalazine are broken down into meslamine and a byproduct by intestinal bacteria, therefore no chemical coating is necessary for them. They can be cut, crushed, etc.

The next class of uc drugs immunosuppressive/immunomodulators should be fine across the board:

3.) Immunomodulators (Imuran, 6mp, and aza) should be crushable.

Immunomodulators are absorbed in the stomach and are metabolized within the liver.

Of course, I would double-check these points with a pharmacist and your gastroenterologist.

Being on a maintenance medication should eliminate your reoccurring use of prednisone. Prednisone is a short term rescue medication, and really is the most dangerous drug we are prescribed. Pred should be used very infrequently and for the shortest time possible.

I'm just curious NABO, how many bone scans have you had and over what period of time. Also, can you give your age and how long you've had UC.

Pred sucks !

Slarso, what kind of Dr is treating you ? IMO, it doesn't seem like your UC is being managed well at this point. Do you have other options for care ?

There are lots of other non med options for inflammation. Have you tried any of them ? What kind of diet do you have due to your swallowing issues ?

Welcome to the forum !

I am being treatred my GI specialist. In reality, I get 3 flares every 2 years. Only occasionally are they very bad,bad being relative of course Usually 40mg pred a day for a week, then 30,20,10,5 does the trick. There is no talk of surgery and when i get a colo, worst case there is just spots of mild inflamation. It has been going on for 20 years. This last one was a toughie, hence the talk of thinking of humaria. Luclky, I am a large boned person and otherwize very healthy and active. I might lose 3 or 4 days on a flare, mistly jusrt feeling a bit low and needing to be near the throne

It blocks collagen synthesis and reduces bone density.

When your not on it you need to work to restore what has been lost.

My motivation for eating clean is to continue remission and avoid taking prednisone ever again.

I am not sure Enemas are great for Proctitis, certainly the foam enema gets sprayed far up the colon into the sigmoid. The best thing for proctitis is suppositories in my view.