I only worked a half day today (yay) cuz of a GI appt. Having more bloodwork tomorrow and having an upper GI next week to see if there is any damage to the small intestine? MyGI doc thinks I should be tested with a rheumatology panel to check to see if I have any other autoimmune things going on that is causing joint/back pain and the fatigue and weakness. So my PCP will order those and I will have those done also. Thankfully I work in the next suite from the lab! I'm off all meds (Colazal & Lomotil) since they werent working anyway. He gave me probiotic tablets until we get tests back checking for Crohns. UGH! I just had a nice dinner of chicken breast and potatoes and green beans and I made those apples in a frying pan recipe that I got from one of the links to the Paleo diet. It's quick and easy and makes for a great dessert. So far so good. I'm waiting to see if I feel any better being off the Colazal, maybe that was making things worse. The GI mentioned about the Endocort and how it can cause hip and knee necrosis after one dose? I'm just going to wait to see what the other tests show and go from there, I guess. I slept for two hours this afternoon and woke up feeling pretty good. I wish I could nap everyday! Oh, and the GI said that I could do the gluten free but said that it's expensive and difficult. I'm still doing it. I bought some Rice Chex, I'll let you know how that goes.
then he tells me as an afterthought that I should make sure I keep hydrated. DUH! I've been on my own practically for almost 5 months with this and he doesn't think I know that? I'm glad he's an MD. lol
Thank Goodness for this forum and the people here or I would really be going insane instead of just "almost" going.
GI Appt TodayUpdate
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Hi Babsey,
Your GI doc is confused. He is quoting a known risk for long-term use of Prednisone, and related sytemic corticosteroids, not Entocort, (budesonide).
http://www.medicinenet.com/crohns_disease/page8.htm
That is not a risk with budesonide, (which is not a systemic), and I don't believe that effect has ever been documented for Entocort, under any conditions, let alone for short-term use.
Tex
Your GI doc is confused. He is quoting a known risk for long-term use of Prednisone, and related sytemic corticosteroids, not Entocort, (budesonide).
This is from:The most serious complication from long term corticosteroid use is aseptic necrosis of the hip joints. Aseptic necrosis is a condition in which there is death and degeneration of the hip bone. It is a painful condition that can ultimately lead to the need for surgical replacement of the hip. Aseptic necrosis also has been reported in the knee joints. It is not known how corticosteroids cause aseptic necrosis. The estimated incidence of aseptic necrosis among corticosteroid users is 3%-4%. Patients on corticosteroids who develop pain in the hips or knees should report the pain to their doctors promptly. Early diagnosis of aseptic necrosis with cessation of corticosteroids might decrease the severity of the aseptic necrosis and the need for hip replacement surgery.
Prolonged use of corticosteroids can depress the ability of the body's adrenal glands to produce cortisol (a natural corticosteroid necessary for proper functioning of the body). Therefore, abruptly discontinuing corticosteroids can cause symptoms due to a lack of natural cortisol (a condition called adrenal insufficiency). Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include nausea, vomiting, and even shock. Withdrawing corticosteroids too quickly also can produce symptoms of joint pain, fever, and malaise. Therefore, when corticosteroids are discontinued, the dose usually is tapered gradually rather than stopped abruptly.
Even after corticosteroids are discontinued, the adrenal glands' ability to produce cortisol can remain depressed from months up to two years. The depressed adrenal glands may not be able to produce increased amounts of cortisol to help the body handle the stress of accidents, surgery, and infections. Therefore, patients need additional corticosteroids during stressful situations to avoid developing adrenal insufficiency. Because corticosteroids are not useful in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and because they have predictable and potentially serious side effects, they should be used for the shortest possible length of time.
http://www.medicinenet.com/crohns_disease/page8.htm
That is not a risk with budesonide, (which is not a systemic), and I don't believe that effect has ever been documented for Entocort, under any conditions, let alone for short-term use.
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.
Tex, guess what?
This is the 3rd day totally off the Colazal and I actually think I feel better. I've only been to the bathrrom once today, and usually it's at least 4 or 5 times by this time of that day, AND I had two cups of coffee.
Did you ever hear of the Colazal making someone's condition worse? Maybe I won't need the Entocort. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
I gave four tubes of blood this morning and hopefully that will all come back good and then my mind will be at somewhat more at ease.
Still debating about my scheduled upper GI for monday. I guess I'll see how the weekend goes and decide then whether or not to cancel it.
This is the 3rd day totally off the Colazal and I actually think I feel better. I've only been to the bathrrom once today, and usually it's at least 4 or 5 times by this time of that day, AND I had two cups of coffee.
Did you ever hear of the Colazal making someone's condition worse? Maybe I won't need the Entocort. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
I gave four tubes of blood this morning and hopefully that will all come back good and then my mind will be at somewhat more at ease.
Still debating about my scheduled upper GI for monday. I guess I'll see how the weekend goes and decide then whether or not to cancel it.
Babsey,
Doctors don't seem to prescribe Colazal as often as the other 5-ASA meds, so I don't recall anyone having a reaction to Colazal. However, Asacol is most often prescribed, and I can think of several members who have had adverse reactions to Asacol, so it must be somewhat common.
That's good news, and it means that you may be able to easily control your symptoms with diet alone. I hope you continue to feel better, and your weekend is a winner.
Tex
Doctors don't seem to prescribe Colazal as often as the other 5-ASA meds, so I don't recall anyone having a reaction to Colazal. However, Asacol is most often prescribed, and I can think of several members who have had adverse reactions to Asacol, so it must be somewhat common.
That's good news, and it means that you may be able to easily control your symptoms with diet alone. I hope you continue to feel better, and your weekend is a winner.
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.