Weird benifits of Pred?

My only positive was my plantar fascitis pain went away and hasn't returned the whole time I've been on Prednisone. (Tapering now and should be off in about a week after being on since April 2006. Remicade was the only thing that made my taper successful this time.)

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Diagnosed UC April 27, 2006

Remicade: 1st infusion 7/21/07; 2nd infusion 8/18/07

Colazal three 750 mg capsules 3X day; Protonix;

Prednisone 4/27/06-present; failed at every taper attempt until Remicade infusion. Currently alternating 5/0 mg; Xanax; Rowesa; Asacol; [2/22/07 started Imuran, off within two weeks due to bad reaction]

so far, I have been having headaches (not too bad....yet) and had a couple of hot flashes at work, not sure if it's b/c of the screwy temperature changes in my office and stress??

trying not to take any pills for the headaches, have some peppermint aromatherapy stuff from origins and it is actually helping (you put it on your temples, behind your ears and I put a little dab of it on my forehead). I don't know why but it is soothing to me.

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Beth, 31

UC Diagnosed March 2000

Lialda 2.4mg 1xday since 8/24/07 (prev. Asacol 4800mg day),Calcium and Vit D 500mg 2xday.

Minimal Change Disease (Kidney Disorder) Diagnosed Sept 2007

Prednisone 60mg 1xday, Simvastatin 20 mg 1xday

Diovan 80mg 1xday. Fosomax 1xweek 70mg. MCD may be from hypersensitivty to 5ASA drugs.

Prednisone is both a miracle drug and an evil curse at the same time. I took it about 6 years ago and it was wonderful for the first month. It cleared up all my UC symptoms within 3 days and made me feel like Superman. A month later all the usual side effects appeared, acne, moon face, weight gain, insomnia, mood swings and being tired all the time but couldn’t get much sleep. I couldn’t go below 20mg per day without flaring. After 6 months I finally got off it but I had to go back on a month later for 3 months. I then went into a 2 ½ year remission. When my current flair started, May 2005, I was determined not to go back on pred again. I will not use it again unless I have consistently 15 BMs per day or more.

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Paul

Diagnosed in 2000 at age 43 with UC extending half way across transverse colon.
Allergic reaction to Asacol, Pentasa and Dipentum - can’t take any more 5ASAs.
Prednisone - worked well for 1 month, then side effects became unbearable.
6-MP - blood tests showed not metabolizing properly.
Flagyl, Ciprofloxin, VSL#3, Adacolumn Apheresis – all had no effect
Corticosteroid enemas in both liquid and foam - no effect
Methotrexate with Remicade - 7 infusions with no improvement

Folic Acid and B12 injections.

Visit our photo albums at: http://www.laflammefamily.ca and http://www.more.laflammefamily.ca

 

Good side effects? More time to read because I can't sleep at night? That's about it. But I can definitely leave w/o such perk.

I've been on it since May, in varing doses from 40 to 5mg, currently at 25mg. Recently I was working outside a lot and not drinking enough, and I think my sodium level got high (body supposedly can't get rid of it as easily on pred) - moon face got bigger and I could taste salt in my mouth for a week straight! Trying to make it go away by reducing my sodium a lot and drinking more. The sides of my hands (bones?) hurt sometimes. I think its a pred side effect, but not sure. Vision is affected some. I feel jittering some days.

Ben

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Ben, 38

Symptoms started 10/06, diagnosed 4/07.

Currently on Prednisone (w/Prilosec&calcium), which helps; Limited help from hydrocortisone enemas; Bad reactions to Colazal and Lialda.

Diet mostly: whole grains, pasta, rice, cooked root vegetables, green drinks, fish, lactose-free dairy, keifer, nuts, protein smoothies, bananas.

Because I started at a somewhat lower dose (40 mg) and am tapering by 5 mg each week, I've actually had nothing but good experiences this time around. Knock on wood. UC symptoms improved dramatically within a day or two, almost like a switch had been flipped. I have energy. I feel good. I wake up rested and ready to go. I don't feel like I need a nap mid afternoon. I've been very careful with my diet and exercise and haven't noticed any swelling or water rentention. I also haven't had the insomnia, constant hunger or night sweats I had when I was on a higher dose.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

C-scope confirmed UC diagnosis 9/18/2007

No explanation for right side pain and thickening of bowel wall

 

Maintenance dose sulfasalazine, back on a pred taper for first flare in years

Probiotics, l-glutamine and fish oil caps. George's aloe vera juice and Mucosaheal.