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Ways to boost success of Prednisone Taper

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/27/2020 12:21 PM (GMT -6)
Hey everybody! So long story short, i flared up badly about 3 months ago after discontinuing Remicade.I was on Remicade for 6 years after my diagnosis and was in symptomatic remission for most of that time. I had 8 months of feeling fine on no medication,but the lesson learned here is never ever go off your meds if you don't have to!!! I was put on 45 MG of prednisone after my flare hit and i am currently down to 20 MG starting today. I have had two Remicade infusions(No antibodies luckily) since the start of my flare and i have definitely seen improvement, but still don't know if it is the Remicade doing the job or the Prednisone. In any case , i would like to get some insight on what i can do to supplement my healing now that i am getting to the lower doses of Prednisone.

1) Probiotics- Can i take them while on Prednisone? I purchased some when this all started, but the bottle warns that they should not be taken while using corticosteroids so i held off. Just wondering what brand some of you take and if you take them while on prednisone?

2) Supplements - I currently have Curcumin pills , Vitamin D and Calcium. I am thinking of adding Metamucil to the mix but unsure if now is the right time. My stools can definitely use some bulk to them as they are mostly soft and formed/inconsistent. Do you guys take Metamucil at this stage of a flare? Any suggestions on what else to take/ what worked for you?

3) Diet- i know this is VERY subjective but some information on what worked for you at this juncture would be helpful.

Thanks!!!
Posted 1/27/2020 12:51 PM (GMT -6)
You need to be taking calcium and vitamin D while on prednisone. It's even better if you can get calcium from your diet. Maybe you are already taking this; I was unsure from your post.

I've never heard of anything saying you should not take probiotics while on pred. That is very odd they have that warning on your bottle.

Curcumin is fine to take on pred. So is Metamucil.

Diet never mattered to my UC.
Posted 1/27/2020 12:54 PM (GMT -6)
Welcome back, but sorry to hear you're flaring. You've already got two variables, remicade and pred, which you cannnot tell which is helping. Now, you want to introduce more variables: the effect of probiotics, multiple supplements, and a diet. You can certainly do so, but it'll be much harder to tell which ones are actually helping with all of the additional variables added.

Metamucil is bulking and abrasive, inflammation narrows the internal diameter of the intestine and leaves it raw and bleeding (two things that should never meet, ouch!). So, do be careful about introducing extra fiber into your diet until you are mostly healed.
Posted 1/27/2020 1:21 PM (GMT -6)
@Sara Already taking the Vitamin D and Calcium. Debating whether or not to take the curcumin capsules ,Metamucil and Probiotics. The warning on the Probiotic was news to me as well. Last time i was in a flare years ago i remember taking them, however i do not remember seeing the same warning on the bottle. I'll check out some other brands to see if they have warning on them too. Thanks for the reply!

@ IPoop Hey! its unfortunate but i blame myself for stopping my Remicade. Had i just looked here and been smart about things i likely would likely not have flared again. What can you do though ,you live and you learn. Very good points and i appreciate the advice. I think for now i will probably just stay the course with my Remicade and Prednisone. Introduce the probiotics and Metamucil when i have a better idea of where i'm at healing wise. I hope Remicade does the trick for me again.Thanks for the reply!
Posted 1/27/2020 1:40 PM (GMT -6)
Yeah could ofs and should ofs do not matter at this point. Just try and get back to remission as fast as possible smile
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