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Budesonide for travel emergency instead of prednisone?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/11/2018 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I have 30 generic 3 MG tablets of generic budesonide that were prescribed in 2014 in case I needed them while away from home. I have a 1 week trip coming up toward the end of the year and wonder if I can use them as a rescue medication instead of pred. The instructions say to take 2 twice a day.

I did find a post by iPoop that states: "If you don't respond to budesonide within a few weeks then you need its much stronger cousin prednisone." In addition to the age of the pills I also have to say that Uceris did not help me a couple of years ago. I have a few Uceris tablets lying around too.

Does it really take a few weeks for Budesonide to help? Not ideal.

I had a recent scope but am unable to see the doctor until January. I have called and don't even have the biopsy results after almost a month. The doctor did mention Humira and prednisone to me more than once, but I could be on my own for a long time. Maybe I should take more than 2 per budesonide day and start with the early symptoms. I want a plan in place in case I have to wait till January.

I have to confess that recently I borrowed 5 20mg tabs of pred. Illegal? So shoot me! I was able go to the grocery store, walk the dog and celebrate a very big birthday with family and friends. It was worth it to have that one day. It is not necessary to wean after a few days, but I did anyway, ending with 5 mg for a couple of days. With the pred pills and new Uceris foam the really bad symptoms have never returned, but that could be temporary.

So do I continue to beg for a small supply of pred, use what I have on hand, or hope a friend has a few more extra pred? I even know a dog who is taking 5mg!
Posted 9/11/2018 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hmm, if you're not well, you should get on the cancellation list and see if you can get things under control before your trip. There is still time before the end of the year...

Of course you could try to take the budesonide and hope for the best, but if it doesn't work, yes, you will need pred, but where does that really leave you? Well for the time you're on it, then what? Maybe you should consider the humira, get things under control and have a long-term plan. If you're still in decent shape, maybe you can bypass the steroids, or just get away with the budesonide or uceris.

My dog was on pred, and thankfully, while you don't want them on it long-term, they do not seem to suffer the long-term consequences people do - according to my vet. Luckily I got my dog on atopica for his skin and he didn't need pred long-term.

Hoping you have good luck finding a solution before your trip!
Posted 9/11/2018 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Your GI won't fill you a prescription when you call them?
Posted 9/11/2018 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
There's a matter of what's the best tool for the job at-hand. If you have a nail, and assume any old hammer will work then you might be in for a bit of trouble. You might have a small finishing nail and a sledgehammer. You might have a large 9-inch nail, and a tiny hobby-wooden-hammer. Both scenarios would result in a bit of difficulty and poor outcomes. It's the same with UC. Do you grab the sledge hammer (prednisone 60-mgs or Humira) to hammer down your inflammation? Do you grab your hobby-wooden-hammer (uceris or more mesalamine) instead? Knowing your colonoscopy and biopsy results, and current symptoms (number of bms a day?, any urgency?, any tensemus?, any accidents?, etc.) would help toward that end. 2-4 bms a day would be ideal for your hobby-hammer. 6+ bms a day and you really need the sledgehammer or multiple sledgehammers together when you're talking 15+ bms a day.

Regarding older steroids, yes they will have an affect but maybe not as effective as the dosage on the pill states. You could use it. I'd always encourage reaching out for a new prescription, if possible. If you cannot than it's better than nothing ;-)

Post Edited (iPoop) : 9/11/2018 7:19:08 AM (GMT-6)

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