Ulcerative Colitis - Prednisolone not working

[Ian]

Hi,

I have colitis and am currently experiencing a flare up. I was diagnosed in 2005 and have since had 2 major flare ups that required steroid treatment. Each time I was put on 40mg of prednisolone for 2/3 weeks, reducing 5mg per week until I was no longer taking them. Each time this worked an absolute charm. I distinctly remember that last time (Oct 2008), the tablets stopped the urgency/cramping/gas in just 3 days, and by day 6 I'd done a solid poo.

This time, I've been on the tablets for 2 1/2 weeks and seen no real change. Last week I had 3 much improved days in a row and assumed I was on the mend, but at the weekend it all went to hell again. I'm away at University but emailed my home doctor at the hospital, and they've requested I come back for an appointment as things are clearly not right.

Since this has never happened before, I have no idea what to expect next. Does anyone know what the next likely course of action will be? A higher dose of Prednisolone? A different drug? (I don't know about the other ones). I've got myself all worried that they're not working because my colitis has spread to more of my bowel at the tender age of 23, and can't help but have dark thoughts about needing surgery in the not to distant future (while there's a high chance I'll need it at some point, I always thought I'd be much older than my 20s/30s when it happened). I'm probably just over-worrying which I tend to do a lot, but I can't really help it. Just wondered if anyone had any ideas

Thanks,
Ian.

 

[Nic]

Are you on any other UC meds besides the Prednisone?

I hope you get ffeling better! Don't worry yourself too much as that can cause they UC symptoms to get worse!

 

[imisspopcorn]

:welcome: Ian...They may very well add another drug into the mix. I am sorry the Pred. isn't helping right now....They may try you on an immune modulationg med. like Imuran or 6MP....It really depends on your doctor. Check out the treatment section of the forum. There is a lot of info there. Good luck.

 

[Ian]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm also taking 6 x 800mg Asacol per day, and 2 Predfoam enemas per day. I take these all the time as maintanance drugs (sometimes in slightly lower doses if I've been in remission for a long time).

I'm trying not to worry, I guess it's being in the dark that's praying on my mind. My treatment so far has been on a need to know basis; I haven't been told what the alternatives would be if certain treatment plans don't work out etc. So I have no idea what other drugs even exist besides the ones I've taken. My appointment is tomorrow anyway so I'll know something then I'm just suffering a lot of pain in the night and can't sleep, the prednisolone works to an extent because I'm relatively symptom free in the day time (I take it in the morning), but it's wearing off much too early and the night's are awful. I have no idea why it's not working when it did before. Maybe they'll have an idea.

Thanks again for responding