update from dr's appointment

I've been on Asacol and Prednisone for 1 month today.
I'm currently taking (3) 400mg of Asacol two times per day and 35mg of Prednisone split in half per day.

The dr. said that I can taper the pred by 5mg every 10-14 days. He knows I want off of it but he thinks I still need it for the time being.
I have mild cramps every now and then, formed bowl movements with a small amount of blood. He was encouraged I only have 1-2 bm's per day and that they are formed. He said blood would probably be the last thing to go away and if there isn't a lot of blood not to be to concerned with it.

Anyway

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updated medication schedule coming on 11-2-07

started Prednisone & Asacol on Thursday 10-4-2007

10-22-07- coming out of about an 8 week flare (my first one ever)

hmmm, for me I have uc in my rectum and blood has pretty much gone away in the past couple of days, my stools are semi formed and have 5-7 times a day mostly 2 times per day w/multiple times in a row and still have cramping. I think we are all kind of unique.......but am curious as to why he thought the blood would stop later for you and why mine has been gone for days now....

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Beth, 32

good question but I'm not sure.

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updated medication schedule coming on 11-2-07

started Prednisone & Asacol on Thursday 10-4-2007

10-22-07- coming out of about an 8 week flare (my first one ever)

Hey icanrace

I'm in the same boat as you.  Been taking Prednisone and Asacol for about a month and a half now.  Also,  just started taking Imuran.  But I can't stand the side effects I'm having on Prednisone and since the side effects have been so bad my GI doc said I can taper off 5mg. every week, thank god.  Asacol is another story because I think it's giving me powerful headaches.  In the beginning I use to take 4 Asacol tablets, 3 times a day but it's been brought down to 3 Asacol tablets, 3 times a day.

But it sounds like you're doing okay.  Why the frown?

I don't know why the frown. I just want to poop clean again :) NO BLOOD!
The Pred is making me eat sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much. Then I wonder why I cramp lol.
I don't know, I just want to get 100% into remission very soon

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updated medication schedule coming on 11-2-07

started Prednisone & Asacol on Thursday 10-4-2007

10-22-07- coming out of about an 8 week flare (my first one ever)

did you mention anything about rectal meds to the doctor?

q

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yes and he didn't think at this time we need to go that route. Without typing a long post I will note that this was the first time he'd seen my pics from the colonoscopy. He originally went off the biopsy report. Another dr. did the test due to scheduling reasons. He did tell me that I have it more severe then what he thought originally. On a scale 1-10 I'm a 6 or 7.

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updated medication schedule coming on 11-2-07

started Prednisone & Asacol on Thursday 10-4-2007

10-22-07- coming out of about an 8 week flare (my first one ever)

Bleeding is usually the last to go for me too. I can feel fine, go only once or twice in the morning, no cramping, urgency etc. but it's the blood that is always present it seems. *Knock on wood* I haven't seen blood in about a week! Usually though I rely on rectal meds to handle the bleeding. If the bleeding is persistant, even if it's only a small amount, you can still press for them because they might also help you get off pred easier too.

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