Prednisone AGAIN??????

[mharvey90]

So, I was just at the Dr. this past wednesday for a follow-up, however my flare that started in March has not gotten any better and I am getting a lot worse lately....am having extreme abdominal pain. I have a stricture where my ileum used to be. I used to have terrible diarrhea up until this past month, and now I am so constipated, my stomach makes me look like I am 6 months pregnant, not even an exaggeration at all. It's really really bloated. I have been on basically everything normally used to treat Crohn's....(Remicade-allergic, Humira, not working, Azathioprine, not working, Pentasa, Asacol, etc etc.) Also, I have been on two doses of Prednisone in the past 6 months. I'm a sophomore in college and finals week is coming up in about a week and a half....I'm seeing a surgeon (not until January though.... -.- and even then, I won't be able to get surgery until summer break because I cannot just take 5 weeks off of school.) Anyways, my Dr. told me that if I feel like I need it, I can start on 40mg of Prednisone, and he gave me a tapering schedule, but he said only to take it if I absolutely need to, since I've been on it twice in the past 2 months. Obviously, I am extremely anti-prednisone, I absolutely despise the side-effects....especially being a 19 year old college student. I am at a loss of what to do, I feel like I am at a dead end that I can't get out of. Even if I do go on the Prednisone, it's only a quick temporary fix, which I know will get me through finals, but is it worth the nasty side-effects when I know I'm going to go back to feeling terrible after I start tapering? Has anybody been on a 2-week tapering schedule of Prednisone starting at 40mg?? Any suggestions or anything at all would be wonderful....

 

[katiesue1506]

I know the feeling of dealing with school and Crohn's. My advice is to go with the quick fix that will get you through school time and then worry about it later. I was having Remi issues last spring semester (only lasting 4.5 weeks) so I just stayed on the Remi at higher and more frequent doses becuase I knew I could get 4.5 good weeks and get through the semester that way. I was so anti-pred after the first time I took it too... but I recently just got off of it again and now I love it. It gives you SO much energy (which is necessary for college and working part time). I know we hate the side effects... but I was at the point where I just wanted the pain and running to the bathroom to stop. I wanted to eat again... I wanted to be able to make it through the day without a nap. Prednisone is quick and snappy and does exactly what you want it to. Hope I helped a bit.

 

[imisspopcorn]

Good luck ....I've never tapered that quickly, but it's not uncommon to get 10 day dose packs that taper down. They use them for respiratory problems and joint inflammation like bursitis etc..

 

[mharvey90]

thanks katiesue, it's good to know that somebody else has been in my situation.

imisspopcorn, it's not one of those 10 day packs actually, it's regular prednisone. i thought it was strange as well when he gave me this 14 day taper starting at 40mg...in the past a taper from 40mg has taken months. but he really doesn't want me on it for the 3rd time in 6 months, and he's aiming at the quick fix just to get me through with exams. the schedule is 40mg for 3 days, 30mg for 3 days, 20mg for 3 days, 10mg for 3 days, 5mg for 3 days, then 5mg every other day for 4 days

 

[imisspopcorn]

I was just giving you an example...The dose packs are given to people who are on short term Pred, not us old pros who know how to taper. (They look like foil bubble birth control packs) I hope you can get through the exams, it's a very stressful time. What's the plan afterward? You only have student insurance, or am i thinking of someone else?

 

[mharvey90]

yeah i've been on those silly 10 days packs of pred. and yes, i have crappy school insurance. luckily, my mom just started a new job a few months back, so i am going on her insurance in January...hopefully that will help things a lot.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Ugh - I'm sorry you're going through so much crap all at once. Do you usually have a longer taper schedule? I've always tapered over several months, but as far as remember people on here saying, they didn't get all of the symptoms with the short dose.
I agree with Katie, anything you can do now to feel better. Temporary is better then nothing I guess.
Good luck - I hope you start feeling better.

 

[Mazen]

Just make sure you take your Calcium and Vit D with Prednsione and even after you finish it. You have to protect your bones. Also a low salt, low sugar, high protein diet along with a multivit/min helps to avoid some of Prednisone side effects.

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

I would definately say go for it.
Do you want your crohns to get in the way of your exams and hard work?
I wish I had had something to get me through my exams last year. I rly think my tiredness and pain effected my end result!
I'm struggling atm to keep motivated. I know pred is a pain. But hang in there and then hopefuly you can get something else sorted soon.
x x x x x

 

[Peaches]

I think you should do it as well - I agree with what LMV said. If it will allow you to finish up your long semester with your sanity in tact and end you with a good grade I say it is worth it. I personally have never done a short taper though - always about 3 months to get through mine. I wish they could get you on something that could get your through until the summer!!