Prednisone : How do i increase... - Crohn's and Colit...

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Prednisone

Pandalicious profile image
4 Replies

How do i increase Prednisone safely and with the best outcome? 3 months ago i was hospitalised for my Crohn's and i was given 100mg Prednisone IV to reduce inflammation immediately. I managed to taper down to 25mg but then my Crohn's started flaring again, Diarrhoea several times a day, blood and fatigue. It's so disheartening.

So 4 days ago i increased my dose to 30mg Prednisone, in hopes that i would feel better. But there has been no improvement!! Do i increase it another 5mg to 35mg? Or jump straight back to 40mg!? Which i'm sure will improve things.

I'm trying so hard to come off Prednisone and start my new medication LDN (Low-dose naltrexone) (But i heard they should not be taken together, but at this rate i am afraid i will never get off Prednisone)

Previous Medications

Sulfasalazine

Mezalazine / Enema

Prednisone Enema

Azathioprine (imuran)

Infliximab(Remicade)

Humira 40mg

Prednisone (Everytime i have a Crohn's Flare up)

Sulfasalazine

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Pandalicious profile image
Pandalicious
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4 Replies
FRreedman profile image
FRreedman

Please phone your IBD nurse or GP, before tapering with your medicines. They will be able to let you know your own individual regime for increasing or decreasing your steroid and other drugs, as well as the risks involved.

saj12 profile image
saj12

Assuming here it’s your gp/medic advising on these changes.

There’s some scientific literature on the issue of steroid dependency in IBD, in my own case found the problematic pivot point to be from 20 to 15mg, touch wood azathioprine did eventually ween me off the steroids. Maybe discuss with the medics coming down in 1mg intervals over a longer period.

Pandalicious profile image
Pandalicious

i do believe im steroid dependent at this point. Why i cant wait to start LDN (medication for crohns) but i do want to stay safe and out of hospital until the medication starts to work. Why i upped my dosage from 25mg to 30mg without consulting with the doctors first. Its been like this the last few months. I taper...i flare....and they up the prednisone to stabilise me again.

Before i couldnt get underneath 40mg without flaring. So things have been improving i guess? Gotta stay positive.

I had an appointment yesterday and told them about it of course, and explained im already feeling better than a few days earlier, when the symptoms had returned.

I started taking Wormwood (wermut) capsules a few days ago, they are suppose to help you reduce your prednisone and help with the mental aspect of it if its bothering you.

Does anyone else have any advice on how to reduce prednisone?

I trust patients more than doctors sometimes, because we actually know what these medicines do to us and we have the experience through our own trial and error. Sometimes you are forced to figure out ways to cope.

My doctor is great. Dont get me wrong, im very thankful.

And i respect the fact that he trusts my judgement too.

Unfortunately I been on Prednisone many times, but this time its by far the toughest.

Thank for reading and sharing

Howlinwolf999 profile image
Howlinwolf999

I know it is very tempting to self-medicate when you have been through all the issues with your illness but please don't mess with prednisone, this is a powerful steroid and you should really speak with your health professional before you start altering the dosage. Since 1976 I have used prednisone several times to treat ulcerative colitis and it is very effective if you follow your consultants guidance. Once it settles down, coming off it is a slow process but again is best under medical supervision.

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