- Joined
- Aug 23, 2009
- Messages
- 477
I have been taking prednisone for 9 days but since last Friday, had still been getting some abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, for which I had been prescribed panadeine forte. It had been getting increasingly worse and yesterday I found myself so sick and in so much pain that I wasn't able to keep any food down and the pain was unbearable, the codeine was barely able to even muffle it. I wasn't coping well at all.
Initially I was unsure about whether it was a side effect from the prednisone itself or if I was having a flare up despite the pred so I called my GI, who unfortunately was on holidays so I was referred onto my GP. After a completely pointless visit to my GP, who theorised that it was just a side effect from the prednisone and gave me some heartburn medication, I decided to get a second opinion from another GI who immediately referred me onto the GI at the local hospital.
After 5 terrible hours in emergency, countless x-rays, tests and injections later (not that I much minded the anti-nausea and morphine injections which seemed to settle my pain down quite quickly) I was finally admitted, despite feeling as though I wasn't unwell enough to warrant an overnight stay.
When I was initially diagnosed, some stricturing was found in my terminal ileum and the GI at the hospital was concerned that I may have a blockage so I was placed on a fluid diet and IV as well as recieving several shots of hydrocortisone.
After one of the worst nights in my life it's finally hitting home. I have been suffering with symptoms like severe pain for so long that it almost feels "normal" to me and the reality of my condition still hadn't really sunk in. Even while being admitted, I was adamant that I wasn't unwell enough to warrant a hospital visit. I hate feeling like I have no control of a situation and that is exactly how it felt, to be told that I didn't have a choice and that I had to stay overnight to be monitored. It's a terrifying experience.
I didn't even get to meet my GI until 10pm but when I finally did, it was extremely reassuring. After the confusion of emergency and admittance it was nice to be talking to someone who knew what was going on. He was concerned about my stricturing and wanted to keep an eye on that. He also explained that my inflammation markers were higher than they should be, which meant that despite my high levels of prednisone, I was still having a flare and explained that although prednisone does reduce inflammation, it doesn't encourage healing of the gut. He explained that the next step would be for me to start on Azathioprine.
My new GI has since let me come home, much to my unbelievable relief, I don't think I could have handled another night in hospital. I'm back onto a low residue diet but have had a bit of heartburn after eating so I'm just going to take things slow and stick with soft foods for a few days before gradually adding more solids. I have also been prescribed 50mg of Imuran (Azathioprine) daily on top of my 35mg of prednisone. My dose is still quite low to begin with but will be upped when the results of my blood work come back next week.
So now I sit here, looking at the ominous box sitting on my desk, making excuses about why I should wait until tomorrow to begin the Imuran. Taking this step feels so massive to me, even after my hospital stay. The risks and implications terrify me but I know that there's a reason that I am supposed to be taking it and I'm really hoping that I have finally found something to help bring some normality back into my life.
Initially I was unsure about whether it was a side effect from the prednisone itself or if I was having a flare up despite the pred so I called my GI, who unfortunately was on holidays so I was referred onto my GP. After a completely pointless visit to my GP, who theorised that it was just a side effect from the prednisone and gave me some heartburn medication, I decided to get a second opinion from another GI who immediately referred me onto the GI at the local hospital.
After 5 terrible hours in emergency, countless x-rays, tests and injections later (not that I much minded the anti-nausea and morphine injections which seemed to settle my pain down quite quickly) I was finally admitted, despite feeling as though I wasn't unwell enough to warrant an overnight stay.
When I was initially diagnosed, some stricturing was found in my terminal ileum and the GI at the hospital was concerned that I may have a blockage so I was placed on a fluid diet and IV as well as recieving several shots of hydrocortisone.
After one of the worst nights in my life it's finally hitting home. I have been suffering with symptoms like severe pain for so long that it almost feels "normal" to me and the reality of my condition still hadn't really sunk in. Even while being admitted, I was adamant that I wasn't unwell enough to warrant a hospital visit. I hate feeling like I have no control of a situation and that is exactly how it felt, to be told that I didn't have a choice and that I had to stay overnight to be monitored. It's a terrifying experience.
I didn't even get to meet my GI until 10pm but when I finally did, it was extremely reassuring. After the confusion of emergency and admittance it was nice to be talking to someone who knew what was going on. He was concerned about my stricturing and wanted to keep an eye on that. He also explained that my inflammation markers were higher than they should be, which meant that despite my high levels of prednisone, I was still having a flare and explained that although prednisone does reduce inflammation, it doesn't encourage healing of the gut. He explained that the next step would be for me to start on Azathioprine.
My new GI has since let me come home, much to my unbelievable relief, I don't think I could have handled another night in hospital. I'm back onto a low residue diet but have had a bit of heartburn after eating so I'm just going to take things slow and stick with soft foods for a few days before gradually adding more solids. I have also been prescribed 50mg of Imuran (Azathioprine) daily on top of my 35mg of prednisone. My dose is still quite low to begin with but will be upped when the results of my blood work come back next week.
So now I sit here, looking at the ominous box sitting on my desk, making excuses about why I should wait until tomorrow to begin the Imuran. Taking this step feels so massive to me, even after my hospital stay. The risks and implications terrify me but I know that there's a reason that I am supposed to be taking it and I'm really hoping that I have finally found something to help bring some normality back into my life.
