What next... ?

[dmste]

I was diagnosed with Crohn's nearly 4 weeks ago after a flexi-sig. I was prescribed 40mg Pred, Azathioprine and Ferrous Sulphate.

Apart from some pain when I have a BM which lasts a few hours (I think it could be piles?) I feel more or less ok - although I do feel very tired in the evenings still. No diarreah though and generally only 1 or 2 BM's a day.

I have my first outpatient appointment with the Gastroenterologist on Monday and I'm wondering what might be next for me? More meds? No meds? Different meds? I'm worried that if I'm taken off the steroids I'll relapse?

I guess nobody will truly be able to answer any of this as obviously everyone is different but I just wondered what everyone else went through after being recently diagnosed.

 

[Rebecca85]

I presume they will start to taper the pred, the idea is as you taper the pred the aza will be starting to work so you shouldn't relapse. I assume you are anaemic since you are taking iron tablets, hopefully this is the reason for your tiredness and you will soon be feeling perkier. Youmay want to start a fooddiary if you haven't already done so- I found as I tapered the pred I had to be more careful with what I ate. Why not check out our wiki: www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/crohns-disease

 

[Jennifer]

My GI asked me what all of my symptoms were, pressed on my stomach, checked my ankles and then we talked about meds. Depending on your symptoms you may taper off the Pred or he could keep everything the same or try something else along with ordering blood work. Best thing for you to do is to bring in a list of questions and concerns and talk those over with the GI so you fully understand your condition and the treatment and what its supposed to do.

 

[lynx]

My first visit after being in the hospital to the GI was basically an interview session and then he told me to start tapering on the steroids. I was originally taking 60mg. He said to taper by 5mg a week. If any symptoms got worse or developed then i was to stay at the current dose and not taper and if the continued I was to up the dose by 10mg. I have had to do that and for two weeks stayed at the same dose. Sunday I started to taper down again just to see if I can do it. He also listened to my heart checked my ankles and ordered blood work. They found through the blood work that I was iron deficient so I am on a daily iron pill now. Next appointment is in mid DEC. Hopefully the steroids and the asacol do the trick if not I have to go on REMICADE and IMURAN.

 

[dmste]

Thanks all for your replys...
Just to update on my appointment on Monday:
The doc has tapered my Pred from 40mg to 20mg for a week, then 10mg for 3 weeks. He has upped my Aza to 150mg from 100mg and I need to take 3 Ferrous Sulphate pills a day instead of 2. Seemed reasonably happy with my blood results.
Fingers crossed the new dosages go well