Update Beth?

[harvest_table]

Hi Beth,

Just thinking about you and wondering how you are doing with the pred. & how are you feeling?

Happy New Year!
Joanna

[tex]

I've been wondering the same thing, but didn't want to seem nosy.

Tex

[Beth]

Hi Joanna and Wayne,

Thank you for being nosy and thinking about me! It means a lot that you both asked. I'm actually off the prednisone now - the ten day stint helped immensely, and while I wouldn't say I'm back to normal yet, I can actually eat and keep food in my body. I keep slipping into the grand old C, so trying to deal with that. And I'm on the entocort now, taking 6 mg/day. But on New Year's Eve, I tasted a little bit of what I thought would be harmless meringue frosting, and I was SO sick that night. Even worse, at the same time that I was glued to the toilet and feeling like I was going to vomit, I was having an anxiety attack AND I got a migraine. How's that for a great way to start off the New Year? The good thing is that it can only get better from here. ") As far as diet goes, I'm almost completely paleo now, though I do eat potatoes every now and again. I'm eating a lot more fish, and for the first time in my life, I'm eating steak. Just need to get the veggies up a little more - but I've been eating an avocado every day as well as lots of fruit (though not dried because it goes straight through me and causes terrible cramping), so I'm headed in the right direction.

Also, when I get back from my graduate residency in mid-January, I'm going to start taking yoga and probably enroll in a stress reduction program. Time to get a handle on my full mind/body connection!

Thanks, all, for your good thoughts. I hope you all are healthy and happy as you begin this new year!
Beth

[tex]

Beth,

Thanks so much for the update. I'm glad that you're much better, and you're not so afraid to eat, now.

I'm guessing that the reason why Bob's recovery was so much more dramatic than yours, was because he had been totally GF for so long, that there weren't any antibodies floating around to help inflame his gut. Also, he had been sick for so long, that the "shock" of the Prednisone on his enteric nervous system, probably really got it's attention, and it just relinquished control of his gut to the drug, without any hesitation. At least, those possibilities might have made the Pred much more effective than it otherwise would have been. Most MCers who take Prednisone, haven't been on a strict GF diet for years and years.

Anyway, I'm relieved to read that you're on the right track now, and your health is steadily improving. As far as the meringue is concerned, that's unfortunate, of course, but we all stumble now and then, on our way back to health. Sometimes we just can't keep from listening to the "siren song" of some delicacy that we crave, and it pulls a "gotcha" on us. That's how we learn certain valuable lessons in life.

You've got a great plan, and after licking all the current health issues, you'll emerge ready to take on the world, with a new-found feeling of self-confidence that only those who have faced seemingly insurmountable odds, and prevailed, can truly appreciate.

You're on your way, and I hope you have a minimum number of setbacks.

Wayne

P S I hope your graduate residency goes smoothly.

[kate_ce1995]

The meringue probably was too high in sugar for your sensitive gut right now (WAG). Too bad. Those feeling nauseous from anxiety attacks are the worst...I've been struggling with my own anxiety issues the last several months. I had to go back on an antidepressant to control mine. It's starting to help I think but I'm still in the adjustment stage waiting for the full benefit of the meds. Then I had the stomach flu over New Year's...try separating illness from the routine anxiety!

Glad you are improving. Just being able to eat consistently should help you feel better.

Katy

[harvest_table]

Beth,

That's great news. I think you have a good plan too and wish you all the best. Hopefully, things will continue to steadily improve with minimal bumps in the road, as Wayne said.

I'm guessing that the reason why Bob's recovery was so much more dramatic than yours, was because he had been totally GF for so long, that there weren't any antibodies floating around to help inflame his gut. Also, he had been sick for so long, that the "shock" of the Prednisone on his enteric nervous system, probably really got it's attention, and it just relinquished control of his gut to the drug, without any hesitation. At least, those possibilities might have made the Pred much more effective than it otherwise would have been. Most MCers who take Prednisone, haven't been on a strict GF diet for years and years.

I've been thinking about too. It certainly did the trick for him and your right, the fact that he had been GF for so long probably played a big part in how he initially responded to the Pred and continues to respond with his Entocort & Diet plan.

Thinking back to my experience with Pred is interesing. It did kick butt with my symptoms right off the bat and I felt like a million bucks the 2 months I took it, however, this was before I had really considered making any diet changes so I was eating gluten products and my other food intolerences. Then of coarse, a short while after I weaned off my symptoms returned. It was shortly after that I started the Entocort/Diet route.

For the folks that just need a little push to get them over the edge a combination medication & diet plan makes great sense. Entocort is certainly proving itself to be a useful treatment for MC and if managed carefully and correctly, Pred is as well.

Crossing my cold fingers and toes in Alaska for you Beth!

Love,
Joanna

Love,
Joanna

[artteacher]

Maybe it makes sense then, that when I took Prednisone (20mg at day) that I noticed no improvement whatsoever. I was taking it for lupus, though, and wasn't a fullblown MCer at that point. I took it for a little over a year.

Love, Marsha

[bobh]

I'm actually off the prednisone now - the ten day stint helped immensely, and while I wouldn't say I'm back to normal yet, I can actually eat and keep food in my body... Beth

As I recall, Beth was having extremely bad "D"

I would consider this a success. Well Done Beth!

I was so malnourished from a 6 month flair prior to doing my short run of Prednisone, that it "Bitch Slapped" my skinny body into submission. My body had no choice, but to produce a formed stool the day after starting the 60 mg Prednisone protocol (for 2 days, then 50 for 2 days, 40, etc.)

Now the Entocort (2 a day, 3 as needed) keeps the inflammatory condition "at bay" but it is still perceptible, simmering. No "D" though.