How fast should steroids help get flare under control?

[JMB]

Hi everyone,

After eight months of working like a miracle drug the 6mp seems to
Have stopped working for me. Been flaring two months now and it is getting worse. Ended up at urgent care yesterday needing two bags of IV fluids BC I was so dehydrated from all the pooping (approx every two hours) and extreme nausea (a new recent symptom this flare which is horrible) my doc had upped my 6mp doseage a month ago in hopes this would get the Crohns back in remission and I have been trying to wait it out but I think my trip to urgent care has ended my patience. I am supposed to be leaving on a five week trip to Canada (where I am from) to see family and friends in ten days so I'm thinking at this point I just want to be put on steroids immediately to get this flare under control so I can enjoy my holiday and then deal w a change in my meds (she wants me to try Remicade or Humira next- leaning towards Remicade as I am mega needle phobic so can't imagine dealing w Humira). I hoped to never have to go on steroids again but can't start Remicade and then go to Canada so need something to get me through the next five weeks til I'm back and can start it. Anyone know how long it should take me to respond to the pred? The last time I took it I had undiagmosed salmonella so I can't really use that experience as I was really sick til they finally caught the salmonella and treated that.

Thanks for your advice. Amazing how hitting your breaking point in a flare will make you consider things you swore you wouldn't do earlier. Oh... And mh go GI doc is on vacation for the next two weeks so I will be dealing w a stranger who doesn't know me/my case.

Jess

 

[Artificial]

Hi Jess,

When I started Pred last year it made a difference really quickly, just after a day or two.

Hope you're trip goes well and you start to feel a bit better soon x

 

[Catattack]

Yes pretty quickly...I was completley symptom free after about three days taking 30mg a day. I know it takes some people longer. Hope yours works quickly for you without too many side effects. I havnt really experienced any bad side effects...just a bit of weight gain and loads of energy!

 

[Gazza]

Hi Jess

yes they are pretty effective at getting crohns under control. i currently take 40mg of prednisolone a day started 2 days ago and i am feeling much better than before and my energy levels are getting back to normal. only thing is the weight gain and other side effects you may suffer

 

[JMB]

Hi all,

Thanks for your advice. I started 30mg of Pred four days ago and while the frequency of my trips to the bathroom reduced a bit the first day I am still going about 8-9 times per day. It does seem that the amount of blood and mucous is less and the poo is more formed so I guess that is a good sign? Really hoping to get down to only 1-3 bathroom trips per day but maybe that takes longer than 3 full days on the steroids?

Thanks
Jess