Should I medicate?

[karim]

My instincts tell me "no, it's a terrible idea!" but my common sense says there's nothing wrong with trying it to get a little relief...


Ok so brief synopsis...no dx, classic CD symptoms. No GI. GP thinks I'm crazy and has me on anti-depressants. No insurance, either...so getting an appointment or being accepted as a new patient has proven to be nearly impossible around here.
Have been in pretty horrible pains the past 3 weeks and only pain medications seem to help. Unfortunately, I am out of them now though.

I have a bottle of Prednisone left over from a bout with pneumonia and a refill available from the pharmacy. Should I try to take the pred and see if it clears my symptoms up at all? Or should I just continue to suffer and wait until I can find a good GI?

Who lives in a country where you can pick up pain medicines that work without having to have a prescription?? Let me know and I need you to send me some asap...:lol: only kidding but would be nice if these things were available without only adding to the persistent headache They seem to be the only things that work a little bit and I hate that fact.


Let me know what you all think I should do...I know Pred is nothing to mess around with. Have been on it several times for asthma and know the side effects. But right now I can't help but think that the bone soreness and moonface would be better than this constant pain I am in.

Thanks

Kari xx

 

[DustyKat]

I would have to say no but I don't think I'm the best the person to be answering this due to the fact that I don't have CD. There's a lot to be said for the saying - desperate people do desperate things.

Another reason is I don't know the health system in the US so I don't know what direction to steer you in. I do find it very disturbing the amount the sufferers on this board that aren't receiving the prescribed care due to the cost, lack of insurance or insurance companies deciding what's best.

I wish I could offer up some experience or decent advice to help lift along but I can't. I'm so sorry. Hang in there, my thoughts are always with you.

Lots of love and ((((((HUGS))))))
Mum.

 

[Regular Joe]

Hi Kari,

It wouldn't be a good idea for anyone here to recommend a course of treatment that didn't involve your interaction with a physician. True there are many online pharmacies that will provide medication without a script.

All I can do is suggest that you test your motivation as objectively as you can. Only you know your own condition. Right now, it sounds as though you might be driven by desperation. The choices and decisions I've made in desperation have often caused me serious regret - not always - but more often than not. That's because some of the outcomes could not be undone or reversed.

What causes me the most concern would be a scenario that I would hate to face. I know if I were to take my health concerns into my own hands, and then have the opportunity of acquiring the best possible GI in the business, that might result in a situation where the potential GI might decide to not have me as his patient. My neurologist is that way. He's one of the best resources aside from GI, and even my GI agreed to his medication course in combination with his course.

My neurologist gave me an ultimatum once before because of rescheduling and no-show conflicts. He scolded me. I didn't like it, and I thought I was justified in doing the way I did. Maybe I was? However, he can afford to drop me as a patient, because there is a waiting list behind me. I had to shape up because I can't afford to lose this physician.

I would dread to think about how my GI would react to me taking the matter into my own hands in the way you are considering.

I've listened to him scold patients for being careless with things like smoking or drinking. "I can't do anything for now. It would be foolish to prescribe (humira) to you, and I won't, because it could cause complications or possibly death. Come back to me when you quit, then we can talk about the next step." Then BAM - slammed the door, and that patient was stuck.

Likewise, I already know how my neurologist would react. It took me a number of years to weed-out physicians and come up with a team that I have full confidence and trust in.

What I'm saying is consider that what you might be doing is not the best idea for long-term positive results. I'm not saying you're wrong...only you can make that choice. But look at your decision as though it's the best course for you and your family, but also look at the potential harmful consequences if you are wrong.

The way I look at anything that invovles making a decision is this: Constructive action never fails. Destructive action always fails.

 

[Nyx]

Well put Regular Joe. I'd definitely consult a doctor even if it's just to ask their opinion about taking the meds you already have. Especially with prednisone, you have to have enough to taper safely - any abrupt stopping of that med and you're screwed.

 

[ameslouise]

I concur with Joe and Cindy above. The pred will help you get the symptoms under control for short term. And if you are experienced with it, you can probably self-medicate safely if you know the drill on tapering etc.

But in the long run, you'll need to see a doc and figure out what to do for maintenance....

Hang in there. Can you get medicaid or any kind of assistance?

- Amy

 

[Jennifer]

I wouldn't do it. Just because Pred has worked before doesn't mean it will again not to mention you most likely won't give yourself the correct dose. You have no blood work nor the ability to do blood work and no guidance other than you've taken it before on various doses depending on the severity most likely (how severe is it now? No one knows). Instead I would suggest finding a way to get some form of insurance. It's not impossible but does take time.

Edit: Not to mention that crohns may not even be the cause here or maybe it is but what if you need surgery and you're just putting a band-aid on something that needs a tourniquet.

 

[krs2]

Pred will only have short term effects. Once you run out, your symptoms will come back without a maintenance treatment to fall back on. I would highly advise against using it. Try and get a script for something like Pentasa that will help treat your symptoms with little risk of systemic side effects

 

[karim]

I understand everyone's points here. I've been on pred for months at a time for asthma so I know the drill. My point was that maybe it would help and I could use that at the non-existent appointment to make a point.

Just seeking out help...yes, out of desperation. You get to the point where you are in SO much f%&#!^ pain that you don't give a da%^ what it takes to make it go away. I'm stuck here.

**On a positive note- My boss did call me and request I start working from home now...which is God-sent. Working from home= working from the bathroom! I think I can handle that. Wish we all had the opportunity to work from home. I am so thrilled. Now...if this pain would go away and doctors would screw their heads on straight, I would be good to go.

Thanks for your replies...and even if it came down to it, I don't think I would take the Pred. Yesterday was a cry for help...I just don't know where to turn some days.

Kari xx

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Congrats on being able to work from home! I hope you are able to get an appointment soon to see a doctor and get everything else worked out.

 

[Regular Joe]

Kari...

This might sound counter-intuitive, but it may provide some relief. Let's just say it's a way of being "inventive" which all of us have to be at one time or another.

I know that you're facing a bunch of know-nothing MD's that think you have a mental disorder. Maybe you can make that work for you while you're trying to locate a competant GI that will take you on as a patient.

It's pretty much a known fact that certain SSRI's and SNRI's (ant-depressants) can ease pain associated with both Crohn's and IBS. Just a medical fact. Also, "tricyclate" anti-depressants are known to have "stool-hardening" properties as well as cramping pain relief - my GI told me this and prescribed a tricyclate, but later found out it had an adverse reaction with one of my other medications.

So it seems you might have some doctor or another at your hands who can prescribe an anti-depressant. If it were me, and I were in pain like you, I'd give an anti-depressant a shot if I could get a prescription.

Just a thought. No way am I saying your condition is mental, I'm just saying it could be an opportunity to find potential relief, or at least get the pain down a notch or two. When you get to the GI, you can also use this to your benefit by saying "I tried everything the doctors suggested, including anti-depressants, and nothing has helped."