Prednisone or steroids and SIBO

[mle_ii]

One thing that I've thought about every once and a while and don't remember writing down is why I think prednisone may or may not have an effect on SIBO if one has it.

Prednisone is mainly taken to bring down inflamation, this is done by decreasing the immune process in the same way that cortisol does. So lets say that someone has SIBO and takes prednisone (or any other). What happens and why might it help or not?

For some folks it might help through this process. You have SIBO, it causes inflamation, you take the prednisone, it brings down the inflamation, decreases the diarrhea, brings your body back into a state where it can cleanse itself of the bacteria. In part due to inflamation blocking the process of cleansing the GI tract, via certain phases of motility. Once cleansed of the bacteria and you taper down everything is good, the body goes back to it's "normal" abilities and you don't need it anymore, the SIBO is gone.

For some folks it doesn't help through this process. You have SIBO, it causes inflamation, you take the predinisone it possibly decreases the inflamation depending on the numbers/types of bacteria involved in the SIBO, it may or may not decrease or get rid of the diarrhea (again dending on the bacteria involved), it may even bring your body into a cleansing state. But due to the limiting of the immune system, the bacteria might grow in numbers and cause the prednisone to no longer work at that dose. Or maybe you start to taper the prednisone and it comes back due to it not getting rid of the bacteria. Or finally your body never gets back to it's normal cleansing state because that part of your body is not functioning properly due to something else.

Anyway, just thought I'd write this so I don't forget it as it's part of my theory about MC and SIBO.

Thanks,
Mike

[Kellyerin222]

Hello Mike,

I do think this is a good theory and it does depend on my multifaceted things such as the state, intensity, individual and problems the person is having as to whether Prednisone will sufficiently work. Prednisone is basically a super dooper anti-inflammatory. While taking it, it will reduce inflammation, but if you do not actually treat the cause of inflammation, when you stop taking it the problems can reoccur. I can liken that theory to basically taking a pain pill while in pain. You take a pain pill and really it is not "treating" anything, but basically blocking the signals to the brain so the individual can receive some relief.

Though in some individuals (depending upon many variants) they may need that course of Prednisone to get the inflammation under control which then allows their body to regain control of the problem.

One thing I have learned though is an individual should be completely informed of the risks associated with taking Prednisone. It is a drug that has been proven to be beneficial, but it is also a drug that carries with it many side effects. It was my family physician who put me on Prednisone and he did not clearly and concisely explain the risks and side effects of Prednisone (I am seeking another family Doc, but different story there). To this date I have not found one individual who enjoys their Prednisone course and has experienced numerous side effects with this drug. But not just the short term side effects, but it has been associated with diabetes, osteoporosis, steroid dependency and the list goes on and on. On the other hand, it has been the one thing that has worked for me-- but even as I type that I am counting the days until I can taper down to no Prednisone.

I think you have a very good theory there Mike!

Kel

[mle_ii]

Exactly Kel. Seems Drs are very good, or it at least seems to be their focus, at aleviating symptoms rather than going after the root cause. Though I think in the case of MC that there can be many root causes that need to be addressed.

That's been my problem with most Drs with regards to my bacterial overgrowth. They have been able to treat symptoms, and even in a way treat the disease of bacterial overgrowth, but there is still some underlying cause of the process that hasn't been fixed that brings me right back to having the problem again.

I've had to go and do research on my own to treat what I think it is for me, mostly sucess, but not the Euraka! quite yet. :)

Thanks,
Mike

[barbaranoela]

Kel---I was aggresively treated with pred. ---twice----and each time was tapered off very slowly---actually --now that I think of it---I had Pred. treatments 3 times---and this was due to a crazy pneumonia I had developed,in 04, but the best part was --I had it done intravenously--
When I took it orally---I was like a jumping bean and my GP---gave me instructions to WALK every day----and I did---
It wasnt very pleasant but it was what I needed @ that time---cus my first GI--- totally ill-informed on MCC---did nothing for me---so I continued to get into deep troubles---

I know of the side effects but I was carefully monitored while on it--

We do what we have to and what we believe will be the best for us--

Barbara

[mle_ii]

And Barbara just reminded me. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of using prednisone or any corticosteroid. Just doing some wondering out loud on the internet. :) Prednisone most definetly has value.

[mini]

Barbara very good point like you I knew the risk of the predisone however, you are prepared to take what is required to help you or the condition.

[barbaranoela]

Mike right U are-----I shuddered when GI said PRED. but it was either that or just keep wilting away----

Like we always say---its a roll of the dice and hope U get the right combination---


Have a good night and great *tomorrow*-
Barbara

[Kellyerin222]

Mike: I do think you are right that most Doctors are trained to treat symptoms and I am sorry that it seems you have had to go through alot and do a ton of research to find out what is wrong. I really do not think MC is widely known enough. Really I had not even heard of the term MC until I was sitting in the GI's office and he stated this as a possibility-- it's almost saddening. Hoping with more knowledge of this that more research will be done to pinpoint causes and treatments and bring awareness.

Barbara: I did not want to give the impression in my post that I do not think Pred should be used-- quite contrary. It really is a beneficial drug and to date the only thing so far that has turned me from being so sick and ill to being able to function and having normal bowels. I, unfortunately was not informed by my Doc about Pred. I heard "steroid" and told him no I do not want to be on a steroid and he basically said "You will feel fine, you'll gain no more than 5 pounds, and it will be ok". and that was all he told me about it---I trusted him and thought he knows what he is talking about. Only on day 3 of 60mg I felt wonderful that I had normal bowels, but my hands started to shake uncontrollably, I literally could not sit still and felt as I had 100 marbles bouncing around in my body, I got so irritated and aggravated over the tiniest thing, I wanted to eat everything in the fridge and the fridge itself, would just ly in bed at night feeling as if I have drank a pot of coffee-- it was horrible, lol. I called him back up and said if he wants me to take this stuff be better do something about the side effects or I am going to go crazy. He did call me in Xanax, which I did take on the really bad days when I was on a high dose. When I taper down the side effects taper as well (thankfully).
Just wanted to clarify in no way and I saying people should not take it, just that Doctors should be very informative when they give this medication out so the patient is aware.

You are right that we do what we need to do, which is why when I went into another flare in Jan (after getting off Pred 2-3 weeks prior), I knew I hated the medication, but also knew it would kick me out of the flare and it was needed for me to get back to a level where I could function.