Prednisone is an amazing drug. If you have experience with it, and as you will certainly see in the UC postings, it has brought relief in flares when nothing else works at the time. However, it is also nasty, and not meant for long term use for remission. The goal for remission is no flare, bleeding, D, urgencies, constant BM, etc. with the least overwhelming meds. For some it is Asacol, for others it could be the immuno suppressant class, up to remicade. Prednisone for me has been to calm down bad flares and give the other maintenance drugs a chance to do their jobs, or just to give the doc a chance to see what works and does not work. Sometimes that means that the prednisone taper does not go well, and steroids have to be reintroduced while the MD tries something new. The remission can be a process of ups and downs until the right treatment is found. For me, Lialda (Asacol) just did not do it. I needed prednisone to stop the suffering, and am now trying a combination of Imuran and Remicade. I have had trouble weaning from the prednisone and the goal is to maintain a symptom free life without the steroids. From reading these posts I see how so many people get to the remission point, and that gives me a lot of hope. The prednisone seems to have certainly helped your daughter with her symptoms, and I hope that as the prednisone is further reduced she continues to have good results. Just remember, if there is any set backs, she still has a lot of options available. Stay in touch with your MD and good luck!
Glenn
UC diagnosed 2003
Asacol 9 tablets daily
Canasa PRN
Prednisone- 30 mg as of 6/8/07, Increased to 50mg 6/18/07, 40mg and holding!
Lialda 4 tablets daily
Multi vitamins
As of 8/3/07- Azathioprine 50mg
1st Remicade Infusion, 8/17/07. #2 scheduled 8/31/07