confused about side effects of meds

tpsprings · Post by **tpsprings** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:12 pm

Has anyone else found that Budisone (Entocort) has made their appetite increase? After a week and a half of being on it I am wanting to eat every few hours. I don't see much change in symptoms other than a little less cramping and a HUGE appetite.

Anyone else?

...With this in mind I can't decide if this is what my doctor would consider "improvement" or not? He said to come back in in a week if I don't see improvement.

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:33 pm

Hello Tpsprings, any of the corticosteroids (entocort, prednisone etc.) can have the side effects of increasing appetite, it did for me for both Entocort and prednisone. This is not a side effect to worry about and is common for many many patients.

As far as improvement, with Entocort (Budesonide) it can and normally takes a good 4 weeks for many to begin to see meaningful improvement. Many of us take it for a good 3 to 6 months (if the physician allows) to fully settle down the flare up of the symptoms.

As far as what your doctor feels is improvement, will most likely be how many times a day are you experiencing diarrhea. Be sure to discuss cramping and other symptoms as well. It would not hurt to discuss continue taking this med for a while longer, this will give your GI tract more time to settle down. Keep in mind a diet eliminating problem foods is the most important thing you can do to feel better now and in the long term, the meds just jump start the process.

Of course to start feeling better sooner, eliminating gluten, soy and dairy initially will for a good 90+% of us help us feel better sooner. Once things have settled down you can try these foods again to see if you react or look into food intolerance testing.

I hope you feel better soon.

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 8:05 pm

I haven't noticed any increase in appetite. In fact, I don't feel hungry most of the time. I think this may because of the modified paleo diet I've been on the past 6 months or so. I'm down to one budesinide every other day. I only took 9 mg a day for a few days because of severe constipation.

Sheila W

tpsprings · Post by **tpsprings** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:21 pm

wow I was worried that there was a gas leak in my house and I was starting to hallucination or visualize food everywhere! I'm glad to know it's just the Entocort. I will give it some more time, but if I keep eating this way I am going to have to get more gluten free cook books at the library...I'm running out of food, and ideas! cookies sound good right now!

Sheila, I wonder if you aren't feeling that hunger because your digestive system has slowed down so much?

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 9:47 pm

Before going too crazy looking for recipes, look no further than this website right here. The section called Dee's kitchen has hundreds and hundreds of great GF and MC safe recipes by various board members, including Dee a professional chef who has MC... You can't go wrong.

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=7

Sheila · Post by **Sheila** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 8:06 am

Tpsprings, I think the high protein, meat based diet is more slowly digested and more filling than a diet containing more carbs. I don't like eating so much meat but I feel better on a modified paleo diet. The only significant problem I encountered was unintended weight loss so I modified the diet and added back some carbs.

If you enjoy baking, Elizabeth Hasselbacks GF cook book contains a recipe for chocolate chip cookies that are really good and freeze well. A cookie or two a day keeps a smile on my face and helps to keep my weight more or less stable.

Sheila W