Is there such a thing as a "safe" dosage of pred?

In my experience, a moderate dose of around 40 mg with a fairly quick taper doesn't cause obvious side effects and long-term harm. A higher dose of 60-80 mg has caused me major side effects and long-term harm in the form of bone thinning. The amount of time you're on it plays a part, too. For what it's worth, I was able to counteract the bone thinning with proper diet and exercise. My bone density is back in the normal range now.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

C-scope confirmed UC diagnosis 9/18/2007

 

Therapeutic dose sulfasalazine, back on a pred taper for first flare in years. Down to 10 mg and feeling much better.

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

There is no safe dosage of prednisone. Even small amounts, less than 10mg, can have life long side effects even if taken for a short period of time (one month). No one can predict how it will effect you. Prednisone can be a life saver, it certainly helped me when I had a severe flare that was not responding to the other UC meds but it should be taken with caution and the patient should be well educated on the length of time they are willing to submit to the drug and have made choices for alternative options well ahead of time. Also, anyone on any dose of prednisone should be taking a calcium supplement as well as engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise. This will help reduce or eliminate possible bone loss.

Sue

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dx proctitis in 1987

dx UC in 1991, was stable until 1998

1998 started prednisone, asacol, pentasa, nortriptylene, ativan, 6MP, rowasa enemas and suppositories, hydrocortisone enemas, tried the SCD diet, being a vegetarian, omega 3s, flax, pranic healing, yoga, acupuncture, probiotics

2000 lost all my B-12 stores and became anemic

2001 opted for j-pouch surgery- now living life med-free

There are long term side effects and short term side effects when it comes to pred...that doesn't mean everyone experiances them all BUT pred is a nasty drug when it comes to side effects and even a low dose long term can do permanant damage without even giving enough benefit for IBD symptoms.

Pred is used for many types of illnesses, another one is asthma...pred is not intended to be on long term/life long to control symptoms of diseases because even a low doses it can cause permanant health issues.

A quick taper off of pred can also defeat the purpose of the drug when it comes to treating IBD....not to mention it can have negative effects doing that...talk to your GI about this.

In my 16.5 yrs of being on and off pred which used to do me wonders no longer has any benefit for me, my body seems to have become immune to it and this can happen to anyone.

I had one family doc tell me to just stay on it indefinitely, no way would I damage the rest of my body for a slim chance of it working indefinitely for my IBD, finding alternatives is much better, which is why I put my skeptisism aside when it came to the natural route, only to my surprise to find such help from it.

:)

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My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it!  LOL  :)

Have you tried l-glutamine to help control diarrhea?

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

C-scope confirmed UC diagnosis 9/18/2007

 

Therapeutic dose sulfasalazine, back on a pred taper for first flare in years. Down to 10 mg and feeling much better.

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