OK, i am getting really frustrated. Back in March, after my second Colonoscopy I was diagnosed with UC instead of MC. He put me on Prednisone and i felt GREAT. Whenever i taper and get down to 20mg, i start to flare up again. When the flare starts and i increase the dose it goes away quickly. When i taper to the 20mg i have small withdrawal effects the first day (mostly shaking, out of it feeling) and then i am good for a couple of days, then the blood, pain, cramping and D start up again.
I am getting concerned that i am becoming steroid dependant and that i will have a tough time getting my UC under control as well as get off of prednisone. I am waiting for the doctor to call me back as to what to do and also ask about adding the Entocort back as part of my tapering process. However i am wondering if i need to take 6-MP or Imuran instead to get off of the prednisone first?
Has anyone else run into this problem trying to get off of prednisone?
I do follow my diet strictly so it isn't due to that....just frustrating...
Could I Be Steroid Dependant?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Could I Be Steroid Dependant?
Diagnosed with MC on 1/8/2008 after 7 months of flare. 2nd colonoscopy and new diagnosis of UC on 3/11/2008.
Hi Erin,
Your symptoms do seem suspicious, and I would have to say that your intuition may well be accurate.
Sally, (the founder of the original board on which most of us got to know each other), is the resident expert on Prednisone withdrawal. She lived through some very bitter experiences while trying to withdraw from it, in the early days of MC treatment. She hasn't posted on this board in some time now, but here is what she says about the topic:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... withdrawal
If you are dependent, I hope it is only slightly, at this point. As Sally points out, the doctors may not be much help, in a situation such as that.
One of the original reasons for the development of budesonide, I believe, was to help in resolving cases of Prednisone dependency. Best of luck with this, and please keep us updated.
Tex
Your symptoms do seem suspicious, and I would have to say that your intuition may well be accurate.
Sally, (the founder of the original board on which most of us got to know each other), is the resident expert on Prednisone withdrawal. She lived through some very bitter experiences while trying to withdraw from it, in the early days of MC treatment. She hasn't posted on this board in some time now, but here is what she says about the topic:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... withdrawal
If you are dependent, I hope it is only slightly, at this point. As Sally points out, the doctors may not be much help, in a situation such as that.
One of the original reasons for the development of budesonide, I believe, was to help in resolving cases of Prednisone dependency. Best of luck with this, and please keep us updated.
Tex