entercort n my other issues

i now i didn't spell that right and my siggy med list isn't probably right but i am on 1 ml metotrexite (SP) every week and 3 entercort daily.  Everytime i try to taper the entercort i flair.  I can't get it under control.  I have tried asacol, the meds that go up your rear, 6mp. Nothing seems to work for me.

But i was wondering what this entercort is going to do to me long term.  I used to know the reasons not to use steroids long term but can't remember now.

I have fiber but it gives me terable pain from gas.  I am at a loss.  GI doesn't want to try me on the biological drugs because he says the long term use for someone my age (25) is unknown.  And there isn't anyone that does the surgery i would want in our area.

I and good enough to function, i work, play on the lake but i still have 10-15 bms a day and very painful gas pains.

There are a lot of choices here. Your Asacol dose is low and could be increased. Other 5-ASA's are available, as well as Sulfasalazine. The immunosuppressants (Azathioprine, 6-MP) have helped a lot of people.

In regard to Remicade and other biologicals, you can weigh the risk of possible future problems against your quality of life. Bear in mind that Remi has been in use for more than a decade now, so there is considerable information available.

Entocort, like other steroid drugs, should be limited to short-term use only. The suggestion that it isn't systemically absorbed is a myth for many of us, and we have the life-long damage to prove it. I got a very painful, progressive condition called avascular necrosis (or osteonecrosis) after taking the "safe" Entocort for an extended period. I've had two shoulder surgeries and may yet need a third, and still have pain and limited movement in the shoulder.

Your GI sounds very conservative to me. UC is an unpredictable disease that can easily get out of hand if not adequately treated, and therefore you deserve more aggressive treatment choices.

At the very least, I'd suggest a second opinion from another GI. It may also be worth a quick trip to a city to get a consult with a surgeon.