Reducing steriods - every other day?

BenY

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 60

Posted 8/24/2007 5:24 AM (GMT -7)

I've increased my steriods to 40mg (again) for a week and it cleared-up my symptoms (again). Course now I'm strung-out on them, so its time to come down anyway. Has anyone with UC had luck taking them every other day? I've heard that helps on dependancy and side-effects. I'm trying to decide whether to reduce to 30 for a week, 20 for a week, etc, or to do 40/20 for a week and then 40/10 and then 40/0, some thing like that.

Thanks for the advice!

Ben

kb5

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2007

Posts : 1015

Posted 8/24/2007 6:51 AM (GMT -7)

The every other day method I use to taper is 40/35 for a week then 35/30 for a week then 20/25 ect. I wouldn't go back up to 40 each time. Your body needs to get used to having less of the drug in you. Have you asked your GI about doing this? pred is really somthing that needs to be watched while tapering. It sounds like you have had trouble tapering before. What method did you use then?

Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, down to 20 mg pred.
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---fingers crossed!
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

BenY

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 60

Posted 8/24/2007 6:49 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks! I was put on steriods back in June on my first bad flare. Things totally cleared up, and I went down gradually over a month to 7.5 mg and things remained fine. However, when I dropped to 5mg, symptoms came back. I tried going back up to 7.5/10/15 but I just got weird mucus problems and things never really fixed. The idea this time is to start at the top again, come down to maybe 10mg, and then wait for the 6-MP to kick in (which I should be starting soon). I'm a little nervous about this 6-MP stuff - hope I don't have some weird reaction to it.

BenY, 38

Symptoms started 10/06, diagnosed 4/07

Currently on Prednisone, which helps

No help from Rowasa, limited help from hydrocortisone enemas

Bad reactions to Colazal and Lialda

Diet mostly: whole grains, pasta, potatos, rice, mashed root vegetables, green/fruit drinks, fish, lactose-free dairy, peacans, smoothies, bananas.

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