Hey guys,

Found loads of the info on here really helpful so thanks for anyones input! I'll start from the top, I had heavy bleeding, lots of toilet visits a day, feeling crappy, you know the deal. I had a colonoscopy and have had an diagnosis of IBD (waiting for biopsy results, to define which). I was put on a course of Pred starting at 40mg reducing 5mg a week, Mesalazine 800mg 3x2 per day, and some anti acid stuff. I started off great, felt more human, no blood after like 2 days. Still about 3-4 bm a day, and 2 during the night, but a lot less than before. Now I'm down to 30mg, my problem is now that I've started to feel rubbish again, really tired, and my stool is showing no signs of improving. Still very fluidy, lots of semi digested food (have been avoiding caffeine, booze, insoluable fibre and generally a low residue diet) and not showing much sign of improvement. Is this because I've reduced my Pred? Does this mean my Mesalazine isn't working for me, and were my improvements masked by my high dosage of Pred? How long did it take you (I appreciate everyone is different) to get back to solid stools after your first big flare? I'm due to start work again on Monday and worried that I'm starting to take a backward step!

Thanks for any responses,

You're all awesome.

If your symptoms get worse as you taper prednisone then contact your gasteroenterologist asap. You shouldn't continue tapering. Rather hold at your last safe dose, adjust your meds according to your doctors instructions. After the new treatment has been given sufficient time, then your pred taper resumes.

Ask for a nightly mesalamine/Mesalazine enema, like rowasa/salofalk/pentasa enemas. Treating from both ends is the best approach.