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Just got diagnosed yesterday...

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/28/2016 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Apparently my entire colon is inflammed :( The dr. put me on 40mg prednisone but i am terrified to take it. So many horror stories!
Posted 9/28/2016 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
There are options such as mesalamine oral and rectal. Are you on them as well?
q
Posted 9/28/2016 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Not yet. I see him in 2 weeks to talk about other treatment methods.
Posted 9/28/2016 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
I felt the same way but what I was told is the inflammation is worse than any of the side effects of the prednisone. Therefore, I take it only when I flair and get off of it ASAP. The problem is, if you are on it for longer than a week (consult your doctor about the exact length of time) you have to taper off of it and that keeps you on it for a longer time even if you don't have any more problems.

Post Edited (Steve_A) : 9/28/2016 11:25:27 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/28/2016 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
First off, understand that you need to listen to your doctor and take whatever he tells you too. Second, relax, stress is a contributor to a flare, so take it easy (I know it's easier said than done). Third, you've picked a great time to be diagnosed with UC! We are gaining more progress everyday in understanding how this disease works. Just today, there was a story that they may have found the cause of Chron's which is closely related to UC. (A combination of Candida overgrowth and 2 bacteria working together) I have UC and am a trial lawyer. I had it through law school and I bartended at a busy bar while I did that. you will be fine, even if they somehow don't find a cure within the next year lol
Posted 9/28/2016 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone. I'm at the pharmacy now getting the prednisone and calcium/vit D. I tend to overthink things are have gotten myself into a tizzy!
Posted 9/28/2016 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Don't worry too much about the prednisone! I've been on 3 rounds of it within the past year. It worked really, really well the first time. It bumped me right into remission. The second round it helped somewhat, but I ended up getting c diff (a bacterial infection) and it sort of undid everything. Now I'm on it again and it's working in conjunction with remicade infusions. Basically, try not to stress. I have very high hopes that this prednisone is going to work wonders on you :)

I'll be honest, some of the side effects suck. I can never sleep and I get really, really emotional. But it's an okay trade off to feel better. Good luck to you and your health!
Posted 9/28/2016 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you got the prescription filled. Make sure to take it as prescribed. For many, prednisone brings quick relief to their most worse UC symptoms. It's one of the fastest and most effective medications for UC, and a good rescue.

I'm on prednisone as well. It stopped my flare early, and prevented me from getting into a much worse flare. My doctor is adjusting my other medications, I'm on pred while we wait for those other medications and doses to become effective (often it take a bit of time). After which, I'll get off of the pred as soon as I am able to. The goal is to use pred for as little a timeframe as possible, but use pred as an effective tool for symptom management and stop things before they progress and get worse.

Horror stories abound everywhere for everything, try not to assume the worst-case scenario. It's possible you might get a few nuisance side effects, common. Although those suck they're waaay better than uncontrolled uc symptoms are. So Pred is often necessary, we both love it and we dred it, just part of the whole UC experience. I've never had any major side effects, just little ones that are a bit annoying.

Good luck!
Posted 9/28/2016 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
"First off, understand that you need to listen to your doctor and take whatever he tells you too"


um, well, that may work for some, but some docs to be honest are dumbasses and shouldn't be treating anyone - if something doesn't make sense, get a second opinion from say ..... i don't know,.... a forum for example -

i assume since an "inflammed colon" was dx'd then a c-scope was done - to prescribe pred without other meds is questionable treatment in my opinion -
Posted 9/28/2016 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
Ignorance is bliss until we have information. I'm with soy on this.

My symptoms were 15 x daily bloody diarrhea like razor blades, and my doc stuck with oral mesalamine before the scope and tests, then added rectal after definitive diagnosis. While many doctors prescribe prednisone, it does not have to be the initial treatment. A fast jolt and taper in conjunction with oral and rectal is a treatment many neglect....we need a head banging against a wall emoji.

After being at this game for over 27 years with oral/rectal topical meds...i would still refuse the prednisone for flares.

One GI I had to see when mine was called away on emergency told me my GI was wasting valuable time with the mesalamine oral /rectal and that he will prescribe me prednisone. I said no, and told him how grateful I was that he wasnt my doctor. He did acquiesce and prescribe me steroid foam enemas till my GI was back, and yes they did help....but Ive never used them again in 26 years.

We all have choices and varying opinions. One has to learn a lot quickly in order to be an active participant in the patient doctor relationship of care.

q
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