Steroids advice

[xmanda89x]

Hi everyone, hope your all well,

So I've just came back from the doctors after having rectal bleeding for the past fortnight. I'm on mtx 12.5mg and asacol 400mg. Some blood tests were taken, and I've been prescribed codeine 15mg to take 2 twice a day. My doctor mentioned going onto steroids, but I'm quite wary. Can anyone who is on steroids give me some advice please? What are the side effects? Are they effective?

Any advice anyone can give me would be much appreciated

Later crohnies

 

[Grumbletum]

Hi Xmanda
Nice to meet you - though it could be in more pleasant circumstances - LOL. Sorry to hear about the bleeding. I'm not sure how quickly/effectively steroids work to get that under control, but they are usually fast with inflammation. Is it Prednisolone you are being prescribed?
I was pretty wary too, especially after reading the leaflet that came with the pills :ywow: but I think the thing to remember is that a lot of those side effects are possibles, not certains and different people react in different ways. Hopefully you won't have to be on them too long, so won't get some of the side-effects with bigger doses and longer periods on the med.
Keep us posted on how you get on.

 

[Nancy Lee]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
If the doctor recommends going on a short regime of steroids
and I were in your shoes...I'd go for it.
Prednisone is a very powerful fast acting drug and
will bring the bleeding under control very quickly.

I know they list all these side effects
but not one person gets each and every one...
so you may not have any side effects at all.

If you are still bleeding...I say go for it.

Welcoming hugs~Nancy

 

[Artificial]

Hi Xmanda,

I just started my first lot of steroids (Predinisolone) a few weeks ago and was really worried about the side effects listed to but have so far not experienced any (bar some bizarre acne that only goes round the side of my face but could just be due to bad skin anyway!).

Hope they get the bleeding sorted out for you soon and good luck!

Rachel

 

[scottmyster]

Hi xmanda,
i have had crohn's for 21 years and i always took predisone for my flare ups and have had no side effects from the drug. it is very good at it's job it controls the flare up or inflammation. and i hope the bleeding stops soon. the predisone is pretty safe and hopefully you won't be on them for very long. i have a flare up now and taking predisone for 8 weeks, but, i am only into my first week. it's settled a little but i hope i am back a normal in another few weeks.

Scott

 

[Joleen23]

Hey , I was on steroids for about 6 mths , only noticed the side affects when i was on the large doses (IV) in hospital but even then have worn off now (been off them for 3mths now) i would do it too if you have bleeding , it's really for the best

 

[xmanda89x]

Hi everyone thank you for your advice it's very much appreciated, I think my gp wants to see how the codeine helps first, but if it doesn't settle within a few weeks, well probably give the steroids a try. I'm happy that there doesn't seem to be much side effects, it just sounded a bit scary at first, but then again the whole crohns experience has shook me up enough

Like I always say though, it could be worse

 

[Nico85]

Hi Manda

Ive just came off the steroids about a month ago, i was on them for about 18-20 weeks.
I definetly recomment them if you have bad inflammation, they do work.
I dont recommend staying on them longer than you have too because you will put on weight. Everyone i know whos been on them have also put on weight. I put on over a stone in 3 months and im still trying to loose it. pred weight is hard to loose no matter what anyone says.
I also got a sort of pulsating hot flushed feeling on my face constantly and it resulted in a puffy mooned face lol
You will get loads of energy but your appetite is probably the strongest side effect.

Nicky

 

[xmanda89x]

Hi Nicky

I'm hoping I don't need them because it means coming off methotrexate Which I also use to clear up my psoriasis. I haven't had any bowel movements since I started the codeine yesterday, I have had some abdominal pain though and still got the tenderness in my stomach so not too sure whats going to happen

Manda x

Ps glad to meet a fellow scot which part you from in Glasgow? I used to live in Paisley.

 

[MJones]

Hey there. I just recently came off my first ~2 month round of Prednisone, and I did feel quite insatiably hungry the first week, but after that, I didn't have any side effects that I knew of, and I didn't experience any weight gain or moon face, which I was worried about. Now I know if I have another flare and need it again, it will help and not hurt. Hope your experience goes just as well, if you end up needing to go that route. Good luck!

 

[Astra]

Hiya Manda

Codeine Phosphate is good stuff, but caution, taken for long periods of time can/may cause constipation which could/may lead to an obstruction, go easy on them.
Good luck with the Pred, also cracking good stuff, I loved it!
I loved wizzing on them! Just go with the flow, don't fight it. Therefore reducing any anxieties you may encounter. Remember it's the Pred, not you!
I was glad to get off them tho, me clothes became too tight, I couldn't stop eating!
xxx

 

[Nico85]

Hi Nicky

I'm hoping I don't need them because it means coming off methotrexate Which I also use to clear up my psoriasis. I haven't had any bowel movements since I started the codeine yesterday, I have had some abdominal pain though and still got the tenderness in my stomach so not too sure whats going to happen

Manda x

Ps glad to meet a fellow scot which part you from in Glasgow? I used to live in Paisley.

Hi Manda

I used to stay in Paisley, i live in Erskine now!
Where in Paisley you stay?? I stayed in Seedhill and also lived in Foxbar when i was younger!!

Most your symptoms are the same as mine btw.

Nicky

 

[kenny]

I really like the Entocort if I have to fall back on a quick fix. It's really only to pull me away from a flare becasue I have been naughty, and it works fast and easy for me. I take it 3days tops and I am as right as rain. Of course I fall back on simple bland foods for a week or so to help as well.