I have ulcerative colitis. Is taking prednisone a bad idea?

Question

I am 20 y/o and female. I have had Ulcerative colitis symptoms for a year and did nothing about it until the past 3 months. I had a colonoscopy and was diagnosed. Thus far, I have only taken Lialda (a lesser anti inflammatory) and it has done nothing. Being frustrated with no results I have agreed to take prednisone at the advice of my doctor. I am scared to take it because of side effects and my occupation. Any advice on taking this medicine is appreciated.

Answer

My prescriptions did not help at all. I finally consulted a certified homeopath and had great success with slippery elm for UC to replace my lialda and tumerik instead of prednisone. My headaches are gone and I am finally able to go shopping or out with friends to a restaurant ! No more racing to the bathroom !

Answer

If your doc says take prednisone then please do so. Work with the doc carefully so it is known how you are doing. Many people do just fine in this. Prednisone was discovered by a physician at the Mayo Clinic. It was and remains a miracle drug and has saved countless lives.

Suppositories will not cause a big problem as it is local only. Oral prednisone causes problems years into it. You have not said what dose or type the doc is talking about.

Gaining weight is up to you and no different if you are on it or not. Seven years and my weight is fine. You just need to work on it. Treating food like the medicine it is may help when you get feeling hungry. I find only a narrow range where I am hungry. Generally food tastes bland at around 15 mg for me so any dose above that is more like work to eat. You may well find that true for you.

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Hang in there and stick with a specialist if you are able. Docs don't want you long term on prednisone. They will get you off as quick as they can. In the mean time it could make a big difference. How i would love to be 20 again. You were smart to check this out. Keep up the positive. The scariest thing about prednisone are the tales we tell of what errors we made or how severe our diseases are. The best thing is how many people are so much better. They dont say anything at all, you know... Good health to you.

Answer

Do not take predisone because you gain masive swelling as if you gain masive weight i was on it for 5 years and i gained alot of weight until i went off it i have had uc since 1995and no medicine has helped until i went on remicade theres alot of side effects im experiencing but i havent had a flare for 2 years that beats having a flare for 5 straight years so think hard about steroids they didnt help me.

Answer

I was prescribed Prednisone by my family doctor. then went to a specialist who told me that Prednisone will cure it for now but then it comes right back. Which is what mine has done. Now I am taking  Pepto Bismol  2 pills 3x day for 4-5 weeks. If that doesn't work then I go to a prescription drug

Answer

Prednisone or coticosteroids are used commonly to treat ulcerative colitis. They are very effective and doesn't necessarily need to be taken orally. As ulcerative colitis is at the end of the rectum ... it can be given as enemas, etc.

So please discuss options with your doctor. Once the condition is in remission other medicines could be given to keep condition under control.

https://www.drugs.com/condition/ulcerative-colitis-active.html

https://www.drugs.com/condition/ulcerative-colitis.html

https://www.drugs.com/condition/ulcerative-colitis-maintenance.html