coming off pred.

I've just been taken off prednisone after tapering & I feel as worse as ever after diagnosis. My GI said if this were to happen, I would be put on a stronger medicine. Does anyone know what this could be? I go back to the GI the 21st, but still curious. Thanks so much. Starting to feel hopeless. Will I ever get in remission? Ugh. Haven't been on in awhile so I apologize if my signature is slightly inaccurate. changing it after I post this.

Probably a very stupid question, but what's biologics? Lol, sorry, I'm a little new to the UC vocab. Very overwhelmed teenager over here, trying to understand everything :/

Thanks so much, it did :))

Cassidy, immunosuppressive medications are next (imuran, 6mp, aza). Ulcerative colitis is caused when your immune system attacks the lining of your large intestine, causing inflammation that results in diarrhea, blood in stool, urgency, etc. You sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory medication. If it isn't strong enough then immunosuppressive medications are tried next. White blood cells are your immune systems attack dog, they cause inflammation. Imuran/6mp/aza reduce the amount of white blood cells in your body, so less inflammation can be caused in your large intestine, and therefore less uc symptoms. Regular blood tests are needed to ensure your white blood cell count doesn't get too low, it's weekly at first, reduced to biweekly, monthly, and then finally trimonthly.

Ask for Mercaptopurine (or 6mp for short) as it's a generic medication and therefore much more affordable on a monthly prescription. Imuran is brandname medication and will cost more (Azathioprine is the generic form but not sure if it's available in the usa).

Expect to take sulfasalazine and immunosuppressive medications together (one doesn't replace the other).

Hey Cassidy, sorry to hear your flaring up again.

Doctors fail to distinguish that prednisone merely puts a veil over your compromised bowel. That inflammation has always been there even when you were on prednisone. It makes me very angry when doctors put a patient on prednisone and don't follow up with any real plan to help you once you wean off the drug. Because, no one, and i mean no one will be in remission after taking that drug. He should have given you some advice on altering your diet while you are taking prednisone.

Because he didn't, i would suggest sticking to homemade bone broth soup. You can use organic drumsticks to make a nice soup, cook/simmer for a few hours, and when you refrigerate, you'll notice the soup settles into a gelatin mold, like jello. This is very healthy and provides essential amino acids for the gut. Try fasting for a few days with just water, fresh veggie juice if you can tolerate, coconut water and even better, Metagenics UltraInflamX protein powder. It's formulated for those with UC and crohns and has helped me. The price tag is worth it. Stick to LOW fiber foods, like Cream of Rice.

Drugs will only mask the condition, they are excellent for maintenance, but doctors fail to provide sound advice -- like modifying your diet. And, this will help. It won't cure you, because nothing can unfortunately cure us right now, but it will help you get farther.

Look into supplementing with VSL#3 probiotics if you haven't already, a liquid multivitamin, Curcumin (6grams daily), Quercetin and slippery elm powder/tea.

Best of luck.