O.K., it sounds like doctor is giving you a quick Prednisone taper starting at 40 mg for 4 days, then decreasing. Regarding your sore lip, sulfasalazine is a combination of sulfa + mesalamine. Some people are allergic to sulfa so you should look up possible side effects that can show up while taking it. (Sulfasalazine is the oldest type of oral mesalamine existing; there are several newer oral mesalamines that doctor could prescribe if sulfa bothers you, such as Delzicol, Pentasa, Lialda, or Apriso.) Those are called 5-ASA meds = non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, that treat the intestines. The idea behind your doctor's treatment seems to be sound: to get you off steroid med as quickly as possible because long-term use of steroids can harm bones, gums, and internal organs, etc. Unless you're allergic to salicylates (such as aspirin), you should be able to tolerate a mesalamine med without harming other body parts as long as you keep up water intake. (That protects your kidneys, especially.) Be sure to rest as much as possible while you see bleeding, and avoid spicy food, heavy sugar and fats, nuts & seeds, raw fruits/veggies-- go with applesauce, bananas, cooked or baked veggies, skinless poultry or fish, scrambled egg, boiled rice, farina. Beware of caffeine and carbonated drinks. You should follow up with lab tests to be sure you get enough calcium + vitamin D3; it sounds like you're getting enough iron 'cause doctor said you're not anemic, good news. / Old Hat (40+ years with left-sided UC; in remission taking Colazal)
Post Edited (Old Hat) : 6/30/2024 7:19:25 AM (GMT-8)