The good news is that I am making great progress due largely to this forum. Thanks everyone for the help!
I am currently taking Budesonide (3mg x 3 per day) and have been for about 6 months. The past month I have totally cut out gluten, soy and casein.
I was taking 8 Imodium a day and have now reduced to zero or one a day. I feel like it is time to start weaning off of Budesonide.
My stools are once or twice a day, almost always first thing in the morning. Stools are loose but not watery. Am I premature in wanting to reduce Budesonide intake? What is the best schedule for reduction?
Then there is this nagging itch / rash. It is around my collar bone area. I have tried Zyrtec and Claritin (one a day) for about a week on each. No noticeable change in the itch. Any ideas for relief?
Thanks again,
John
Weaning off of Budesonide and this nagging itch rash
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
John,
Yes, that's premature, IMO. The budesonide does not heal the gut — the diet is required to do that, and it takes longer than a month. You have to measure recovery time based on the time that has elapsed after adopting the diet 100%. A rule of thumb is to step down the budesonide dose whenever you notice the first signs of constipation. If you don't mind the symptoms, then you can go ahead and reduce the dose at any time, since the budesonide doesn't help healing anyway. That way you'll be able to monitor the effects of the diet and healing much more accurately (but you'll probably have diarrhea for a while).
The rash is a histamine buildup issue that many of us have toward the end of recovery and afterward. Try Allegra. Or you may have to double the dose of whatever antihistamine you use in order to get results. But the main way to treat it is to try to prevent it from developing in the first place by minimizing high-histamine foods in your diet as much as possible. That will also get you to remission from the digestive issues faster.
You're very welcome.
Tex
Yes, that's premature, IMO. The budesonide does not heal the gut — the diet is required to do that, and it takes longer than a month. You have to measure recovery time based on the time that has elapsed after adopting the diet 100%. A rule of thumb is to step down the budesonide dose whenever you notice the first signs of constipation. If you don't mind the symptoms, then you can go ahead and reduce the dose at any time, since the budesonide doesn't help healing anyway. That way you'll be able to monitor the effects of the diet and healing much more accurately (but you'll probably have diarrhea for a while).
The rash is a histamine buildup issue that many of us have toward the end of recovery and afterward. Try Allegra. Or you may have to double the dose of whatever antihistamine you use in order to get results. But the main way to treat it is to try to prevent it from developing in the first place by minimizing high-histamine foods in your diet as much as possible. That will also get you to remission from the digestive issues faster.
You're very welcome.
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.
HI John,
From what I've listened to from this forum you will want to maintain the budesonide for a while longer at the rate you are taking it while maintaining diet changes, and give yourself anywhere from 5-6 months weaning process time, starting about the 4th month....
This nagging rash is most likely a sign of toxins coming out through the skin, and or a high histamine level which we all seem to get and go thru and sometimes the histamine hangs in there for a while so watching the high histamine foods is a must especially with Spring around the corner. It seems Spring and Fall are the hardest times for me and many others, plus watching the extra histamine intake.
I just went thru a bout of itchy wheals/rashes and my dermatologist said I would need to double my antihistamine from its recommended doses, so I was taking 2 zyrtec morning and later evening every day for a good week, that has seemed to help, and she said I could take one benedryl at night to help with sleep. That combo helped me get through the night and I was able to function at work each day. I don't take that amount unless I notice I get the rash or wheal back. I've been pretty good lately.
From what I've listened to from this forum you will want to maintain the budesonide for a while longer at the rate you are taking it while maintaining diet changes, and give yourself anywhere from 5-6 months weaning process time, starting about the 4th month....
This nagging rash is most likely a sign of toxins coming out through the skin, and or a high histamine level which we all seem to get and go thru and sometimes the histamine hangs in there for a while so watching the high histamine foods is a must especially with Spring around the corner. It seems Spring and Fall are the hardest times for me and many others, plus watching the extra histamine intake.
I just went thru a bout of itchy wheals/rashes and my dermatologist said I would need to double my antihistamine from its recommended doses, so I was taking 2 zyrtec morning and later evening every day for a good week, that has seemed to help, and she said I could take one benedryl at night to help with sleep. That combo helped me get through the night and I was able to function at work each day. I don't take that amount unless I notice I get the rash or wheal back. I've been pretty good lately.
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007