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Stelara and constipation

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/3/2023 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
I'll be starting Stelara in a couple of weeks. Just wondering if anyone with constipation as the main issue has good results with Stelara. Also, I'm taking prednisone now for joint pain and last visit my GI was okay with me weaning off. Did any of you still take prednisone, along with the injection?
Posted 2/3/2023 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
For constipation add Metamucil, many on here have to take something like this to help out. I haven't read of any members mentioning Stelara helped them out with it. Pushing & straining can lead to hemorrhoids, you don't want to go there.

You other posts indicates your dr is doing a taper, yes you can still take prednisone after starting Stelara. With that being said, you want to get off prednisone as soon as you are able to.

Take care.
Posted 2/3/2023 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your response. Yes, I want off of prednisone. I have only been on it for 9 weeks exactly and I have put on 17.5 lbs. I have been so hungry but trying to stick to one meal and a snack and the snacks have not been the healthiest I must admit. But, that is so depressing because I'm one of the ones who needs to lose weight ( thyroid issues). I had finally lost weight after my appendix surgery and was doing well. Now I have to figure out out to lose this weight gained from the steroid (not sure if I have to do something more extreme than I normally do just to shed a few pounds). They said I can taper off with 5 mg so today is day one and I'm hoping in a few days to be off. Thanks so much!
Posted 2/3/2023 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
I take Stelera. Absolutely no issue with constipation.
Posted 2/3/2023 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone causes a lot of water weight gain so try to keep this in mind. I know it's stressful gaining weight, however, you will get the weight off once the steroids leave your system. Do your best to eat healthy snacks, like I said you will get the weight off. Pred has many negative side effects.

I looked back at your prior posts & constipation has been an issue for you for quite some time. If you will take Metamucil or something like it, I urge you to get on something. Not only are you at risk for hemorrhoids, you can get fissures & tears from the straining.
Posted 2/3/2023 6:31 PM (GMT 0)
Constipation is a part of healing with the regression and location of inflammation.
I do suggest adding rectal meds if you aren't on them. As well, add more foods that help with constipation to soften and bulk stool and to increase peristalsis.

I used stool softeners (docusate sodium) during the first 10 years when it happened. Then, I started adding a vitamin C powder at bedtime to help loosen stools. Eventually, I started gradually adding metamucil capsules with meals. You do have to take enough fluids during the day to help bulk and soften or you can end up with more constipation.

It's not the Entyvio...its the healing phase changing stool consistency.
Remember this phase, because once you've been in remission and start to go through this...you might be flaring with the mildest and limited inflammation (unless it's related to consistently poor food choices or hemmies, etc).

q
Posted 2/3/2023 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
Are you saying you’re tapering 5 mg of pred per day? Usually it’s 5mg per week.
Posted 2/4/2023 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I've had lots of constipation over the years with Crohn's. I started Stelara about a year and a half ago. It hasn't changed the constipation at all. I eat a lot of fiber already, so things like Metamucil don't help me much. Stool softeners didn't help at all. What I've found works well for me is a half dose of Miralax every night. A full dose nightly is too much, but a half dose works great for me.
Posted 2/4/2023 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
I've been taking Linzess for IBS-C for the last 6 plus years. It's the only thing that helps, although it's very unpredictable. I do take Metamucil gummies but I haven't noticed a difference. Mylanta does help. I guess I still have IBS, along with IBD. I just started this new at home job and when I get really stressed, I notice that it feels as if I'm about to get diarrhea or other times I do get it. That is the reason I have been unable to work outside the house for the last few years.

As for the steroids, I was on 20 mg of prednisone and a couple of weeks ago the doctor said that I could go to 10 mg and when I called this week I was told by a nurse that I could go down to 5 mg and wean off. So, I figured that I would take 5 mg for about a week and then stop . I've only been on it for exactly 9 weeks (took 40 mg for 3 days, 30 mg for 3 days then was left on 20 mg). I was told that I could stop it once I started Stelara.

Besides the weight gain I noticed blurry vision, so I just want to get off. I can take Tylenol for the joint pain. I'm praying that I can drop this weight with a low carb diet.
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