Colitis in children

sorry you have to deal with this for a 9 year old. Mine is 14, and it is hard enough.
When she didn't respond to the Pred., and 10 Asacols, and the Rowasa almost kept her permanently I t confined to the bathroom, it was time to check in the hospital. The bowel needed rest, and the IV fluids helped...not to mention the IV steroids, which brought her relief in 1-2 days.
Get the enzyme test for 6mp. Ours took 2 weeks(though 1 week is normal). The drug takes a long time to work too. Get the compatibility test done asap, so that you save a week, and have an alternate drug at the ready They can begin this and ween from the steroid, once under control.
Goodluck.

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Daughter,14 diagnosed 1-08 w/ UC .learning from you all.
Rowasa, Asacol, Prednizone 50mg, major flare, Hosp. @U of C, Comers. IV steroid, no food, then low residue, home.
Now, began mp6, beginning taper of Pred, now 45mg, horrible acne, moon face, and fearful of future.
trying probiotics, Omega 3, and keeping up with doc visits.

Hi Tinks Dad and welcome. I have a 9 year old daughter with UC, too, and I have a 16 year old son that was dx with UC at the age of 10.

How long has your daughter been on the prednisone? With my son, it took nearly 2 weeks for the pred to start working. The doctor had us move his morning dose closer to lunch thinking that because morning was such a bad time with numerous trips to the bathroom that the pred. was likely passing through too quickly to be absorbed and by waiting to take it after things slowed down a bit it seemed to work MUCH better. Within a couple of days of that he started improving rapidly!

Asacol seemed to make my son's symptoms worse so instead he takes sulfasalazine. My daughter was allergic to sulfa, so she takes colazal. It is a large capsule and can be opened and put in applesauce, yogurt, etc. and doesn't really taste bad at all. Talk to her doctor about rectal meds. My son take Proctofoam or Canasa when he is flaring.

Definitely check out the dragonpack web site that Judilyn listed. I have read there for years and it has been so much help. There are some really great people there that know so much about dealing with children and IBD.

I am so sorry to hear of another child being dx with this disease! {{{hugs}}} to you both!

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Julie

Mom of Son 16 UC dx 07/02, Sulfasalazine, Imuran, folic acid, L. Reuteri, Zyrtec, Iron, Vit/Min

Daughter 9 UC dx 08/07 Colazal, 6MP, Iron, Vit/Min., Culturelle