What would be the next step after prednisone?

Hi,

Tomorrow is my GI appointment, I'm sure she's not going to be happy I'm off pred. I didn't it on my own, tapering of course. But it made me not sleep at night, screwed up my periods, bruised really easy. BLOATED really bad around my stomach, never felt the inflammation go away and it didn't put me into remission after two months on it.

I read imuran is the next. Is that a pill? I don't want infusions.

Any suggestions? Surgery is not a option to me.

Thanks

yeah the 5asa never put me into remission. I'm thinking of going back on colozal. I remember that helped a little. I take canasa and rowasa. I was thinking of Imuran next.

Hello,

Is rowasa steriod enemas? If so, yes. Not faithfully though. I'm going to try the VSL#3 enema tonight (which I have done enemas before and they didn't work) and then get back on the enemas. Let me know if Rowasa is steriod enemas if not I will ask my doctor for some tomorrow. Thanks!

Linda, the steroid enemas are either foam or liquid. One is called cortifoam and the other cortenema. I think cortenemas are probably more effective but it depends on whether you can retain an enema. Cortifoam is good if you're dealing with active inflammation and can't retain an enema. The foam disperses and it's not difficult to retain, even if you're inflamed. I have only used cortifoam. Kazbern is right that it's not a long-term treatment but maybe it would help if you try it along with the other medications you're using. I was using them for a couple months, while on prednisone and I am okay.

i started 6mp while i was on prednisone. i started remicade probably within 2 weeks of being on 6mp. my doctor didn't really give me a choice of just doing one or the other. i didn't know enough about just being on one. he said they always come in a package. so that's what i'm on right now- 6mp and remicade. i don't know whether the 6mp wouldve put me into remission or not on it's own.

Banana, how are you doing with the rem., just had my fourth and wiring to see what happens. I just stopped the 6mp yesterday though. The package has something to do with anti bodies

I can't tolerate sulfasaladine it's really dreadful to me.

Hospital have put me on Imuran today, one x 50 mg for a month then 3 a day after, I am weening off Pred and still have pains and blood, Dr say's this is stronger so I expect it could be your next step.

Well the first 4 weeks I take only 1 just had my first tonight but in 4 weeks I will be on three a day so it will then be a bit awkward

I'm starting on 6MP on Monday. I'm currently on 35mg of Prednisone and I can't WAIT to stop it!!! I guess it will still be awhile, since they need to make sure the 6MP is working first. Anyway, if you follow my course of treatment then 6MP would be your next step. The GI I saw didn't think Remicade was a good fit. He says it works better for Crohn's patients, but can work for UC, but b/c of that he thought I should go for the 6MP as my colitis has spread/gotten worse.