Information on Refusing Prednisone

[Justme:)]

I have coeliac disease in addition to crohns disease, aswell as a rare liver disorder. My crohns disease and coeliac disease are both relatively easy to manage and I dont usually get flares for no reason. I have been quite sick for the past 24 hours though and have noticed blood in my stool for the first time in about 2 years. The real danger about my digestive disorders getting out of control is that they can affect my liver- which is quite serious.

Basically, I am probably going to have to go and see the doctor very soon. But I'm terrified he'll prescribe me prednisone, which I have been on twice before. In the past I have had good responses to a mainly liquid diet and strong probiotics, but I have never used these to completely come back from a flare. For me though, being on steroids is far worse than the disease and I swore I would never take them again.

How do I go about refusing to take them if my doctor prescribes them to me? What are alternative treatments that he might offer me? And what are the side effects of those?

I would really love some information.

Thanks

 

[nogutsnoglory]

It's your body and your right to refuse any treatment. That being said some doctors won't work with patients who don't cooperate with their advice.

Where is your crohn's located? If it's mainly the small intestine you could try Entocort which is like prednisone minus most of the side effects. You could also be on a light med called Pentasa or Apriso which is Mesalamine. This wouldn't treat an acute flare but is the mildest of ibd medications that can be used for maintenance.

 

[rygon]

You dont say if you are on any other drugs, but there are quite a few out there which help with crohns. I have only been on pred once, and my nurse said it was a last resort when my inflammation was out of control, as they didnt like prescribing it.

Theres 5-asa (Pentasa, Mezavant etc), Azathioprine, Humira, Infliximab as well as others. These help reduce the inflammation and also keep it under control (5-asa is a maintenance med)

 

[r0ckstar]

I understand how Prednisone isn't the favoured drug; I was on it for 8 months consecutively and then am now back on it again. The side effects suck, but it's worth it to have the pain lesson and be able to somewhat enjoy my life again, especially at the Holiday Season.

 

[Essieluv]

I totally understand that you would not want to be on Pred. Are you totally against steroids? There are more mild options, such as Entocort like NGNG mentioned and Uceris (although I that is mainly for ulcerative colitis, it can be used for Crohn's in the colon sometimes). If you're Crohn's is located in the rectum, ileum, or lower small bowel steroid or 5-ASA enemas/suppositories could be used.

Also 5-ASA tablets might be helpful. Some doctors even use antibiotics like Flagyl (metronidazole) long-term to induce remission. There are many other options besides prednisone to help with a flare.