4th Day on Prednisone...Progress Report

[fenway1971]

Well, started on Wed night and it's now Sunday. Lessons from 4 days on Prednisone:

1. First few days difficult as I couldn't catch a wink of sleep. Wow - talk about insomnia! Up at 5-6am and awake till 1-2am.

2. Full of energy. Felt like I was drinking double vente lattes every day.

3. Signs of improved poops. Urgency gone. Starting to see something other than pure diarrhea.

4. Haven't had major hunger urges. Eating normal....so far. No weight gain but then I again I hadn't lost much (5lbs) since flare started in July.

5. No bloating or acne...yet.

All in all, not as bad as I had feared. Then again, it hasn't been a week yet.

 

[Paulah28]

I am glad to hear things are going well so far. My GI asked that I take prde AGAIN for a month ling tamper and I have been putting it off because of the side effects. I know I should just go and get the script filled but I cannot stand how I feel while on it. After reading this I may just go today and at least get the meds.

 

[rosie]

ah urs is pretty cool!! im constantly starving and im eating like a pig!!!! although it does sound pretty similar exact infact to my progress report happy eating... apparently we dont eat too well when were off steroids!! ACNE??? we get acne on preds?? hmmm think i might be a lucky one then this is 4th week and no acne!! WHEW!! 6 weeks to go tho.

 

[fenway1971]

keep smiling, rosie.
glad i might be helpful, paula.

i'm going to try tylenol pm. maybe that'll help me get some zzzz's.

 

[rosie]

and you too !! tylenol sleeping tablets i gather?? sleeping tablets make me real real tired the next day. I love that im not tired no more. I quite like prednisone except for the weight gain.

 

[Colt]

Not just acne. Body acne. Steroids don't discriminate and go for the face like teenage hormones do. My upper chest is covered in pimples. I'm sure my back doesn't look too good either. You'll also see increased hair growth. Body hair included. Minor inconveniences. You probably won't notice them anymore after they first appear.

Rosie, keep your eating under control. It's good to gain wait if you need it but steroids increase appetite, not calorie needs. If you eat like a 200 pound person you're going to end up 200 pounds. Weight gain is probably the main reason doctors have trouble getting people to use prednisone when it's needed. They gain a ton the first time and then they are scarred and don't want to have anything to do with prednisone.

 

[rosie]

Im really trying to keep my eating under control but its so hard being starving all the time :S i dont suppose i mind it so much cos i can lose it once im off streroids surely. i like being on the preds i feel so well and if im honest a little scared to come off them.( never felt crohns before ) i have the "puffy cheeks" u all call it saw 2 friends who kindly commented the fact lol not noticing acne or hair growth but thanks for saying didnt know that they came with steroids. steroids just sound sooo bad lol

 

[Colt]

You may keep some of that weight if you get set in your way with prednisone eating habits. That, and it could take a long time to lose the weight.

Honestly I'd like to stay on the steroids too but the main reason why you can't is osteoporosis. The more time you spend on steroids the worse it's going to be later on. You don't want to end up breaking your hip at 50.

I treat a guy who's in his 50s and broke his hip. 6+ months in a nursing home. The large majority of that time spent in a brace that immobilizes his legs. He just recently got off of the brace finally which kept his legs in an A shape 24/7. You couldn't believe how miserable this man was until he finally got the brace off.

Make sure you're taking some calcium. Tums work as a calcium supplement BTW.

 

[rosie]

osteoporosis brittle bones? i just got told i cant stay on them cos u get diabetes. They have given me calci chews can i take tums aswell? and do ya but em from a regular store like asda's in a vitamin section? will take them too if i can. hope they dont taste horrid dont think my eating will stay the same i dont usually have time to eat im only esting because i am literally constantly starving. Thanks for replying to me colt.

 

[Colt]

The calci chews should be fine.