natural alternatives to prednisone??

i am trying to get off of prednisone and as i taper, i'd like to take something that mimics prednisone's effects without it being a drug. i figure this has to be some kind of anti-inflammatory. any thoughts or suggestions would be great. after most of the spring and summer trying the herbal route, i still have some turmeric and NAG left over.

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Joanna
Age:21
severe pancolitis
medications: 15 mg prednisone, 50 mg 6mp, and remicade
vitamins and minerals: VSL, 1 multivitamin, calcium, vit D, and zinc citrate.

remicade infusion aug 29, 2011, sept 12, 2011, and next one is oct. 10.

Joanna,
I am in the exact same position as you are. I'm currently weaning off prednisone and I have added in the following supplements in the hope of not re-flaring (I am also continuing on Humira, Asacol, and Rowasa, VSL#3): tumeric, slippery elm, boswellia, and ginger, all of which are supposed to have anti-inflammatory properties. For guidance on dosage, I looked at the University of Maryland's site on alternative medicines for UC: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ulcerative-colitis-002684.htm. Also, there are many people on this forum that have had good results from tumeric and boswellia, so you can get some more info by searching those herbs.

I did actually go to see a doctor who is an MD but practices only homeopathic medicine (It was VERY expensive b/c she doesn't accept insurance, but I am pretty desperate to get off prednisone and prevent the next flare). I wasn't too happy with the overall experience because I felt that she was not taking into account the autoimmune and inflammatory nature of UC and was basically recommending supplements that would be better suited for someone with IBS (however, I could totally be wrong. I just was surprised that nothing she recommended had any of the herbs listed above in them). In any case, here are the supplements she recommended--I haven't taken them yet but will try them if I start to flare again on the taper: GlutAloeMine (brand name), Gastrex (brand name made by Standard Process), Gut Flora Complex (made by MediHerb), and Zypan (brand name made by Standard Process).

Hope you get off prednisone soon!
Bridget

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11 years of UC
Currently taking: Asacol, Rowasa, Canasa, Humira (started 4/11), tumeric, ginger, boswellia, slippery elm, VSL#3
Discontinued: Remicade

Just remember that natural does not mean safe or healthier than Rxs. Most of our Rx drugs evolved from plants. Differences are in rigorous testing. I'm not opposed to herbal and alternative treatments, did them myself, but don't be fooled into thinking they are safer.

Sue

interesting on the licorice root. One of the herbs in my herbal tea is "radix glycyrrhizae (Liquorice)"

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Blogging UC:
http://lifewithcolitis.blogspot.com/
Vegan/Pescatarian - ish, , Yoga, Traditional Chinese Medicine
'00 - UC - Proctitis
Lialda 4x/day(2+2)
Testim 1% - Testosterone
Vit D 50,000 ICU/week
VSL#3

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-licorice-root.html

i found this good website about it. apparently, licorice root helps prevent the breakdown of the adrenal hormones (this happens when we take prednisone) so our natural supply is more available to the body. it also helps heal ulcers, inflammation, and spasms of the digestive tract.

i just got a gift card for my favorite health store so i'll look for this extract when i go in.

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Joanna
Age:21
severe pancolitis
medications: 15 mg prednisone, 50 mg 6mp, and remicade
vitamins and minerals: VSL, 1 multivitamin, calcium, vit D, and zinc citrate.

remicade infusion aug 29, 2011, sept 12, 2011, and next one is oct. 10.

Wait are you saying be careful about taking Licorice root??

Have you heard of Flex Now? It' supposed to be "as strong as steroids" but made from Shea nut extract. http://www.powerofshea.com/

My Holistic doctor recommended it. I'm about to start it soon. I'm trying to get of Pred as well. I'm also going to see another Holistic doc regarding Mck. Jefferies protocol. Dr. Mck. Jefferies did extensive research on steroids and was able to switch patents from Pred to Hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is easier to taper off from.

Unfortunately Mck. Jefferies has passed away and a lot of his work is getting lost. He wrote a book on safe uses of cortisols which I read. I have a friend who was treated by his protocol for over 20 years for Crohn's. You can Google Mck. Jefferies. His work is only listed on this doctor's website. Got an appt with him in 2 weeks.

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Diagnosed July 2010
flaring as Jan 2010 and now Anemic
As of 5/25/2011 procitis is now pancolitis!!
Pred 40mg started 6/4/2011, 20mg, as of 9/13/2011
LDN 4.5 mg 4/23/2011 / Apriso / Entocort EC
Stopped supplements due to a rash and slowly adding them back / Fen-gre / L-Glutamine / Folic Acid / MegaFood Blood Builder

Slippery Elm is very soothing to the gut. There's also the others mentioned. I found MSM to be a good anti-inflammatory but it can sometimes cause diarrhea at high doses so need to start at a low dose and build up.