Newly diagnosed, med question

[Hmmm]

Hi, I was diagnosed by colonoscopy yesterday. All of my large bowel is severely inflamed, terminal ileum was clear. The Dr thinks that visually it appears more like UC than crohns but the biopsies will be back tomorrow.

They have started me on 40mg prednisone and 800mg of asacol. I wondered how long it normally takes for the steroids to kick in and when I should start to notice a reduction in inflammation and consequently the amount of blood I'm passing?

Thanks so much in advance, I'm so glad I found this forum!

 

[nitty]

Hi!

My Crohn's is only in my colon and my symptoms were very like UC, but colonoscopy showed gaps between the affected areas so they said it is Crohn's colitis.
When I needed steroids I also started on 40mg and with in just a couple of days my symptoms were obviously improving - much less bleeding and reduced frequency. I felt quite shaky and strung out on the steroids, quite a lot of palpitations, but the trade off was worth it.
I started to taper the dose down after the first week but my symptoms got worse again so I went back to 40mg for a couple of weeks and then tapered down again with no problems.
While on the steroids I started on azathioprine and have been controlled well on this so far.
I'm also on Mezavant.

Good luck!

 

[pinguu1982]

I was also diagnosed yesterday, over two yrs ive had Sigmoid and colonoscopy and finally biopsies showed UC, I started 8 weeks of pred yesterday along with Mesalazine supps. The pred has made me feel weird and proper proper hungry. The Mesalazine is OK if my bowels hold it long enough, the first dose was horrific second uncomfortable and third bearable im hoping tonights is better.

 

[Hmmm]

Thank you both so much for the advice. I am back on a general ward in Finland ( normally from the UK) and nobody seems able to tell me the side effects, so this site is a godsend. Even the Dr. Yesterday (not a GI, during the scope was the only time Ive seen a GI) told me I was having palpitations and I should get it checked out after my inflammation had cleared. Now I know it is probably just from the pred. So thank you.

@nitty i have been feeling so strung out too so it's good to know this is normal. I didn't expect it to happen so fast. I'm glad to hear you have your inflammation under control.

@ pinguu1982 I also got crazily hungry last night. I have asked 3 nurses now if this is a side effect and they have all said no or they don't think so. So thank you for confirming.
I hope you had a better night last night x

I was feeling much better yesterday evening and my frequency and blood had decreased a bit. But it was pretty bad during he night again but I think this was due to the food they gave me? Seeded bread, yougurt, juice... I ate it against my better judgement as I was so damn hungry! Hopefully they can let me out today as at least they have stabilised me and I can get back to the UK and under a decent GI sharpish. Thanks again for the advice x

 

[nannylin]

Hi, I found keeping off any roughage, veg, fruit,seeds etc helped the healing process, boring but better than feeling I'll. Hope you get home and improve very soon.