Oh God my dr wants to start me on PRED it drives me nuts!!

[Mary]

Ok so I had a hysterectomy 5 weeks ago. Now I THINK Im in a flare. Im not going to the bathroom alot but have horrible cramps. So my new Dr want to start prednisone but it drives me crazy. I asked about Entocort and she said it was not as effective. UGH

 

[effdee]

It may not be as effective, but it doesn't sound like your flare is that bad yet. I'd beat your doctor over the head a bit more about it! Definitely worth trying before you go with Prednisone.

 

[Jennifer]

Its your body, your life, so its your choice. If you want to try something else, then put your foot down on their toes and get a script for something else. There are also other meds besides Pred and Entrocort. I've also never had a GI that didn't do a scope before suggesting something like Pred. to see if it was needed.

When you go into a regular doctor's office do they just listen to your symptoms and take your word for it and write up a script? No. They check you as much as they can before making an opinion. That's that a GI is supposed to do. Do blood work and at least a scope and then bring in the big guns like Pred. and Entrocort if they are needed.

What maintenance drugs are you on?

 

[Mary]

I am only on Pentasa since I was diagnosed 10/09.

 

[tmgread]

My local doctor is always pushing steroids, but my Mayo doc has never thought they were necessary yet. Unfortunately, Mayo is 6 hours away, so I need someone that I can trust who is local. I would hold off until you are sure you need it. Last time my local doctor pushed prednisone, the Mayo doctor suggested that I try some of those fiber tablets. It worked! I'm not saying the answer is always that easy, but it seems like some doctors automatically go to the steroids without trying other options.

 

[Jennifer]

Its always going to be a case by case basis. Some people don't need the steroids but others do. None of us know your severity Mary, only you and your doctor do.

 

[Grumbly-Guts]

I had a psych nurse suggest to me once (while in hospital), that if pred. makes you "crazy" (I have steroid induced psychosis), that there are other anti psychotic meds that can be taken to counteract the effects of pred. on your mental state while getting the benefit from the steroids.
Personaly I have never tried this as steroids scare the hell out of me (have tried all doses, types and administration methods, ALL of them make me literaly NUTS within 12-24hours (so nuts I have had to have a "babysitter" while I was in the hospital on steroids!). So, if they are your only choice right now discuss the effects they have on you with your doc and try to find a solution so you are more comfortable on them.

Hope everything works out and you are feeling better soon

GG

 

[Lydia]

I will not do pred again, unless they give me ativan and ambien to go with it. Dont be afraid to ask for something to make the pred easier to deal with. That stuff sucks.

 

[xJillx]

Mary - How are you doing? Did you start pred? I haven't taken any steriods yet, but I see it coming down the path. I hope you are getting some relief.