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Did Prednisone stop working for you?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/9/2010 7:24 AM (GMT -7)
A quick update on my situation:

- 5-ASA meds have stopped working for me.  Did take Asacol for 6 1/2 years, but it is no longer working, so I am weaning off of it.

- 6-mp did work for me (provided wonderful relief), but then I had side effects.  I posted on here as I was going through those.  So, I had to come off of it.

- Now flaring again and GI put me on Prednisone 40 mg to get it under control while I make my decision about next step - either Remicade or J-Pouch surgery.  As was the case with my last flare in August 2009 (the one where everything took a significant turn for the worse and went downhill), the Prednisone is doing nothing.  Prior to this last flare, it would put me back in remission in 2-3 days, and I would do an 8 week taper and be better.  Now, this is not the case.

So, I need advice from all of my wonderful colleagues in this fight against UC and have a few questions.

(1) Did Prednisone stop working for you (i.e. did your UC become refractory)?

(2) Did the 5-ASA and 6-mp meds stop working for you as well?
(3) If so, what was your next step - Remicade or surgery?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Posted 6/9/2010 7:44 AM (GMT -7)
Prednisone did not stop working for me but I knew it wasn't a maintenance med so I made the decision to have surgery. This was 9 years ago when the last drug for UC treatment was 6MP. Most people try Remicade before opting for surgery. If nothing else it can buy you time while you research your options or come to grips with the idea of surgery. A surgical consultation at this point would be good too in the event you have to make that decision down the road.

Sue
Posted 6/9/2010 7:45 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks, Sue. That is exactly the approach I am planning to take - Remicade while having a surgical consult. I appreciate the validation!
Posted 6/9/2010 7:46 AM (GMT -7)
I feel like nothing is helping me as much as it should be. I just started 6mp and I am hoping it will take effect soon.

I am sorry you're having a tough time. Hopefully something positive happens soon. Maybe Remicade will help or surgery is always an option. I would probably give Remicade a try before opting for surgery. I don't think Remicade is a "forever" solution but I am scared I would end up with problems after surgery. That's just my luck.
Posted 6/9/2010 7:49 AM (GMT -7)
My concern with the Remicade is that it is only a temporary solution and that I will end up having surgery anyway. So, really, why not just have it now?
Posted 6/9/2010 8:11 AM (GMT -7)
prednisone worked great for me while I was on and off of it for about 2 years. I would go on, and it would take about 3 weeks before it started working (40 mg). Then, after I would be off of it for about a month, I would start to have symptoms again. This winter, it finally stopped working for me and I had to start Remicade. I even took a dose of 60mg, the highest I ever had, and it didn't work. Not seeing the results I would like from the Remicade yet, but it has been 3 weeks and 2 infusions, so I am hoping it will work later.

39/m
Remicade
100 azathioprine
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