Hi all,
About six weeks ago, just about the time I was hitting my second trimester, I started finding that I could eat more foods. A couple of weeks later, I was eating salad and apples and tons of cooked veggies. I was in heaven! Then, last week, the D started creeping back in, and by Sunday it was really obvious that my month-long respite was over. I've been taking immodium and avoiding fiber like the plague, but after six months on only chicken and potatoes before this, I can't bring myself to touch potatoes right now. So, it's basically just animal protein. Really hard to stomach, especially when I have to eat so much to provide for the two of us!
I called my doctor today and insisted that I be put on a short course of prednisone followed by entocort. Waiting for the call back to see if he'll agree. All I know is that I don't want to keep trying to manage this with diet only. It doesn't really work for me, and I end up suffering unnecessarily.
My question: how does the med thing work again? Back in 2006, I think I did 20 mg and then tapered down to nothing in 10 days and then switched to the entocort. Honestly, I'm just too tired and headachy to try to research this right now. Any suggestions for what to ask for from my doctor?
Thanks!
Elizabeth
After a month-long respite, it's back
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Talked to my doctor this afternoon, and he wants me to take a 10-day course of 20mg of prednisone. Doesn't want to prescribe entocort because it's a class C drug, which means there hasn't been much research on it. Anecdotally, however, it seems like women who take it during pregnancy feel fine and don't have any side effects or ill effects with the baby. I don't like the idea of doing a 20 mg prednisone dose for 10 days. I would rather start there, and then quickly taper off in ten days. Prednisone is a very powerful drug, and the less time and smaller dosage I can be on, the better IMO. What do you all think?
20 mg of prednisone is a small dose. If you taper off quickly from there, it's probably not going to have a very persistent effect.Elizabeth wrote:What do you all think?
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Elizabeth,
I have the same concerns about the prednisone's failure to deliver longer term efficacy. Despite the fact that research data are not available on this application for budesonide, it certainly seems to be a much safer treatment than prednisone, especially if you need to continue the treatment. Of course, from your doctor's perspective, he's going by the book, and trying to avoid any liability risks. It's a tricky situation.
I hope that whatever you decide on will work effectively and safely.
Tex
I have the same concerns about the prednisone's failure to deliver longer term efficacy. Despite the fact that research data are not available on this application for budesonide, it certainly seems to be a much safer treatment than prednisone, especially if you need to continue the treatment. Of course, from your doctor's perspective, he's going by the book, and trying to avoid any liability risks. It's a tricky situation.
I hope that whatever you decide on will work effectively and safely.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
The active ingredient in Entocort is Budesonide.
Budesonide is commonly used as an anti asthma and allergy drug, in Rhinocort and Pulmicort. You could see if they are classed as 'class C drugs'. Doctors have no trouble in prescribing them for years, and rarely reviewing the use. I'd be willing to bet you find they are listed as safe for pregnancy.
Budesonide is commonly used as an anti asthma and allergy drug, in Rhinocort and Pulmicort. You could see if they are classed as 'class C drugs'. Doctors have no trouble in prescribing them for years, and rarely reviewing the use. I'd be willing to bet you find they are listed as safe for pregnancy.
Gloria - yes, imodium is a lifesaver. I just don't want to have to keep taking it; I want to end the flare, rather than just manage it, know what I mean?
Bifucus16 - yes, entocort is a class c drug, but I think it's got to be safer than prednisone. And yes, Tex, my doctor is definitely playing by the book. I'm thinking I'll just keep working on trying to convince him to go for the entocort after this 10 day stint is over. Will let you know . . .
BTW, I started the prednisone on Thursday, and I'm already feeling a difference. The D has stopped, but the bloating is still continuing, so I suppose that will take some time . . .
Bifucus16 - yes, entocort is a class c drug, but I think it's got to be safer than prednisone. And yes, Tex, my doctor is definitely playing by the book. I'm thinking I'll just keep working on trying to convince him to go for the entocort after this 10 day stint is over. Will let you know . . .
BTW, I started the prednisone on Thursday, and I'm already feeling a difference. The D has stopped, but the bloating is still continuing, so I suppose that will take some time . . .
Hi Beth,
So sorry to here that you are having a flare. Wish you all the best in getting it quickly resolved. Obviously you are going to have to work closely with your doctors.
How did you ever do 6 months on chicken and potatoes? I would have gone crazy on that regimen. Maybe next time when you start adding, you'll have to take it much slower.
For fruits, I think I have seen that applesauce and pear sauce are two of the easiest to tolerate. Fresh fruits need to wait until later.
Right now for me, one safe vegetable is butternut squash. Flavor is much better microwaved. Pierce the whole squash in several places with an ice pick or fork. Microwave 10 minutes. Let cool enough to handle. Then peel , seed, and mash. I'm cooking several every week just for me. Sometimes I even have it for breakfast.
Good luck!
Marion
So sorry to here that you are having a flare. Wish you all the best in getting it quickly resolved. Obviously you are going to have to work closely with your doctors.
How did you ever do 6 months on chicken and potatoes? I would have gone crazy on that regimen. Maybe next time when you start adding, you'll have to take it much slower.
For fruits, I think I have seen that applesauce and pear sauce are two of the easiest to tolerate. Fresh fruits need to wait until later.
Right now for me, one safe vegetable is butternut squash. Flavor is much better microwaved. Pierce the whole squash in several places with an ice pick or fork. Microwave 10 minutes. Let cool enough to handle. Then peel , seed, and mash. I'm cooking several every week just for me. Sometimes I even have it for breakfast.
Good luck!
Marion