After my GI reviewed my CT of the abdomen results he decided to have me begin Entocort. I didn't put up a fight because I had the worst abdominal pain and bloating ever today ... and this is day 5 of GF, DF, SF, no fruit, veggies or eggs. Although, I did have an avocado twice this week. I don't think I should have.
Anyway, back to Entocort, I am so petrified of the side effects, primarily weight gain. I'm trying to lose not gain. I know, that should be the least of my worries.
Starting Entocort tomorrow... kinda scared
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Starting Entocort tomorrow... kinda scared
Joanne
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
Joanne,
In my experience, there is no reason to be nervous about Entocort. I did not gain weight while on it. It isn't like prednisone; it targets the gut, and does not have the whole-body effects of other steroids.
It was essential to my healing while I got my diet under control. Many here will tell you the same. I tapered off of it very gradually after about a year, and have been mostly stable since.
In my experience, there is no reason to be nervous about Entocort. I did not gain weight while on it. It isn't like prednisone; it targets the gut, and does not have the whole-body effects of other steroids.
It was essential to my healing while I got my diet under control. Many here will tell you the same. I tapered off of it very gradually after about a year, and have been mostly stable since.
Suze
I can echo what Gloria, Suze and Leah have said. I took Entocort, it was very helpful and I did not gain weight. In fact I lost weight during that time.
I hope it works well for you.
Carol
I hope it works well for you.
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Agree with Leah, diet changes take time to show improvement. Depending on how long you've had inflammation and its severity it can take time to heal. The other folks are right about entocort but it is still a steriod with potential side effects. It's a personal decision but you may want to give the diet more time if you can manage. That being said, entocort can help but may contribute to candida and adrenal issues. If you use entocort and it works, try to use that time to really get the diet fine tuned. Figuring out offensive foods will help maintain remission after weaning off the meds.
Thank you everyone for your responses. I will hope for the best and continue exercising and eating right.
I'm starting it today but the directions aren't every clear..... Take three capsules (3mg each) every day for eight weeks Do I spread it out throughout the day? Take all three at once? Take with food? With 8oz water?
Eric, you mentioned " try to use that time to really get the diet fine tuned. Figuring out offensive foods will help maintain remission after weaning off the meds." How does one fine tune their diet? I'm really confused with this statement. I am GDS free, also fruits and vege free. I don't care about the GDS but I would like to bring the fruits and veggies back into my life someday hopefully. Maybe a chocolate brownie sundae on occasion
I'm starting it today but the directions aren't every clear..... Take three capsules (3mg each) every day for eight weeks Do I spread it out throughout the day? Take all three at once? Take with food? With 8oz water?
Eric, you mentioned " try to use that time to really get the diet fine tuned. Figuring out offensive foods will help maintain remission after weaning off the meds." How does one fine tune their diet? I'm really confused with this statement. I am GDS free, also fruits and vege free. I don't care about the GDS but I would like to bring the fruits and veggies back into my life someday hopefully. Maybe a chocolate brownie sundae on occasion
Joanne
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
Joanne,
Research shows that corticosteroids are most effective when taken in a single treatment each day, first thing in the morning (before beakfast). I'm not sure that the amount of water matters, but it's probably best to use at least several ounces, and more shouldn't hurt anything. You can take them however you want, but they are most effective if taken the way I described. Personally, I take virtually all medications and supplements (except for thyroid supplements) after I eat breakfast (but I've never taken an oral corticosteroid). The only food that might significantly affect budesonide is grapefruit or grapefruit juice, and grapefruit should be avoided with all medications.
You can't fine tune your diet while you are taking a corticosteroid (or most other anti-inflamatories), because the drugs will at least partially mask your symptoms, and in some cases they will totally mask symptoms. You do the coarse tuning when you begin taking the drug (cut out gluten, dairy, soy, etc.), and after the drug is discontinued, if symptoms begin to show up again, that's when you do the fine tuning.
What you are doing should work fine.
Tex
Research shows that corticosteroids are most effective when taken in a single treatment each day, first thing in the morning (before beakfast). I'm not sure that the amount of water matters, but it's probably best to use at least several ounces, and more shouldn't hurt anything. You can take them however you want, but they are most effective if taken the way I described. Personally, I take virtually all medications and supplements (except for thyroid supplements) after I eat breakfast (but I've never taken an oral corticosteroid). The only food that might significantly affect budesonide is grapefruit or grapefruit juice, and grapefruit should be avoided with all medications.
You can't fine tune your diet while you are taking a corticosteroid (or most other anti-inflamatories), because the drugs will at least partially mask your symptoms, and in some cases they will totally mask symptoms. You do the coarse tuning when you begin taking the drug (cut out gluten, dairy, soy, etc.), and after the drug is discontinued, if symptoms begin to show up again, that's when you do the fine tuning.
What you are doing should work fine.
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.
I see what you're saying. So if I stay GDS free and have symptoms when I come off of the steroid, then there may be another problem food?tex wrote:Joanne,
You can't fine tune your diet while you are taking a corticosteroid (or most other anti-inflamatories), because the drugs will at least partially mask your symptoms, and in some cases they will totally mask symptoms. You do the coarse tuning when you begin taking the drug (cut out gluten, dairy, soy, etc.), and after the drug is discontinued, if symptoms begin to show up again, that's when you do the fine tuning.
Tex
Now I was told to steer clear of fresh fruits and veggies until I heal... how long should I do this for and what fruits would you recommend I add back when I am able to?
Joanne
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
Maybe. Most GI docs don't prescribe Entocort long enough to allow for any significant healing, so a relapse of symptoms may just mean that you need more time for additional healing. If you're still having major symptoms after say, 6 or 8 months, then additional food sensitivities (or overlooked contamination in the diet) are almost surely the problem. But some of us require a year or more before we heal enough to achieve remission.Joanne wrote:I see what you're saying. So if I stay GDS free and have symptoms when I come off of the steroid, then there may be another problem food?
You may be be able to slowly reintroduce some fruits after you've been in stable remission for at least a couple of months or so, but it takes some of us much longer. It depends on how much intestinal damage we have accrued before starting the diet. We're all different. Some of us can tolerate small amounts of fruit while we're recovering, as long as we don't overdo it, but trying to reintroduce foods too soon just tends to slow down the healing process. Any fruit or vegetables eaten during the recovery period (if we can tolerate them at all) should be well-cooked (over-cooked), to make them more easily digested, and in small to moderate amounts.Joanne wrote:Now I was told to steer clear of fresh fruits and veggies until I heal... how long should I do this for and what fruits would you recommend I add back when I am able to?
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.
Yes, Tex explained that better. I guess I was trying to stress the fact that you can't use the time on corticosteroids to eat whatever you want and then worry about diet once you stop them.tex wrote:Joanne,
You can't fine tune your diet while you are taking a corticosteroid (or most other anti-inflamatories), because the drugs will at least partially mask your symptoms, and in some cases they will totally mask symptoms. You do the coarse tuning when you begin taking the drug (cut out gluten, dairy, soy, etc.), and after the drug is discontinued, if symptoms begin to show up again, that's when you do the fine tuning.
Tex