Pred positives :-)

Hey all,
I just wanted to post about my latest experience on oral prednisolone.
My doctor prescribed it 3 months ago for my current severe flare-up but I held out on taking it until a few days ago. I had hoped that increased Imuran plus stress relief treatments would do the trick but I was just getting worse and I was putting my relationships and career at risk!

The last two times I took oral steroids I swore "never again" because of the horrendous mental/emotional side-effects, and the fact that my face and body changed so much.
This time I started on a slightly lower dose (30mg instead of 40mg) and what a difference it's made! The bleeding is slowing up already, I'm full of energy and I feel really really happy! My family and friends say it's like having the old me back and that they haven't seen me this happy in many years!
Let's hope it lasts for the next 5 and a half weeks of treatment

"Pred - not all bad!" Who knew? ;-)

Suesse:

I've migrated over to the "ostomy" forum but do occasionally visit back to the UC forum.....I had surgery on April 14th, 2011.

With regards to prednisone, it is a great short term drug....however, do whatever you can to not stay on it too long (at whatever dose), and to stay off of high doses for too long.....

I am a "poster boy" for prednisone use.....I am taking 10 mg/day now, and will go to 5 mg/day (for 4 more weeks) starting in two weeks....not sure what the Dr. is going to make me do after that (maybe 5 every other day).

I am lucky to not have had a bone broken yet..hopefully, being on lower dose and getting physically active again and starting treatment for osteoperosis (Once the surgeon says it's okay), that will be "cured."

However, I've already had cataract surgery (at least I don't need glasses to see far away anymore), and I'm not sure what else prednisone has done to my insides...only time will tell....hopefully my adrenal glands will kick in by the time my 5mg/day session is over (or however that works).  I've been told most of these side effects will go away once off of prednisone....the ones that remain, hopefully I won't have any, "mostly" can be cured (eg, osteoperosis).....

So, use it wisely, and over short term only....if you get to a point in your treatment where you realize you've been on prednisone for awhile, consider surgery....

God Bless and may you flair be brought under control....

jimmy

Hi Jimmy, thank you for your reply and your concern.

I was really just sharing the fact that I've had a positive experience for once in my UC journey, but I have no desire to stay on Pred for any longer than the 6 weeks prescribed (even though this time around I feel like I'm 20 again and want to go dancing all night, whereas last time I felt like I'd end up strapped down in a psych ward!).

Some of my family and friends are doctors and they've made me aware of all the cons (all the scary possibilities that Pred brings) but I'm in a glass half full mood at the mo' and am embracing feeling alive again for the first time in years. Maybe the feeling will stay with me when the Pred is gone ;-)

Regarding the osteoporosis; I take calcium supplements twice a day and I only take Pred during flares (one or two 6 week courses every few years)

Hopefully this will be the last flare for some time! My mum's been in remission for about 30 years now

Prednisone is a powerful and miracle medication.
To me...if you don't have to use it...don't. Fpr one day it will not work any longer.

But...for some, it's a fast and easy and affordable remedy. For others...it's pure hell. It definitely has its uses. But it shouldn't be a first-line medication for UC.

We all pay a price for any medications...and I'm not only talking monetary.

q