Flaring & Prednisone

Satan himself takes prednisolone, it should only be given as a very last resort. Some of the side effects are horrible and depending on how long you're on it they can last a long time after you stop taking them. Once you're next off them try EVERYTHING else before thinking about taking them again. Best of luck.

hello Crohns Warrior!
I'm a survivor for 47 yrs this July.
There is No way I will sugar coat anything about Crohns, including Prednisone. But, I must say, it is the one drug, quick acting, that will stop my flare in it's tracks, and a trip to the ER is thankfully erased.
Now, 47yrs of Crohns, is no party. I've been 8n hospitals so often that I actually became a nurse. No seriously. I've been on all the "old" time drugs and many of the new biologics. 6MP worked the best and I wish they'd allow me to take it, but biologics is the new Wonder drugs and making many a ton of money.
I've had tons of close calls..obstructions .that could have gone straight to surgery, but I know me, my Crohns and I pay close attention to my body talking to me.
From age 17, specialists, even from Europe have wanted to cut on me. I have refused, because research still proves, it's not the answer, a quick fix that actually encourages the spread of this insideous disease not a cure.
When I know a flare is inevitable, all the signs evident and getting worse, Prednisone to the rescue. As a nurse and survivor 47yrs, I'm well versed in dosages and duration of said drug. Oral Prednisone at start of flare, for me, demands 40mg minimum daily. At least 5 days and then a VERY slow taper, 5mg at a time, per week. When down to 5mg.. safely off it and tucked away for next flare. Stelara is my biologic now, 2 yrs. I've been on Remicade, 2 yrs and it stopped working, even upping to every 6 weeks. Then Humira, 10 yrs, but I kept reporting after 6yrs, it wasn't working much. Finally got off it, after a leg amputation caused by a DVT misdiagnosed. Humira NOW warns of DVT possibility. I had adverse reactions to meds I took for many years when on Humira. Stelara took 8 months, 3 shots worth, to work. Prednisone seems to be needed often.
I get annoyed at those who bad mouth Prednisone because it works and not just for Crohns. Asthmatics have used it for yrs to calm the asthma. Anyway, side effects? Yes, but if you be patient, most of us will see them dissipate. Wild moods, anger, headache, nausea or acts like an upper pill, a stimulant is common. This doesn't last long, if taken as I mentioned and very slow decrease. Drs still don't prescribe it correctly for most of us. You can't go from 60mg to 40 to 20 and then none.
I've been on it for most of my 47yrs battle, but not on a regular basis...3-4x a year mostly. Now, 47 yrs into this Crohnsathon, I'm at a very advanced stage, small intestines spread and stricturing within whole sm intestine.
I barely eat 2 meals daily, very small meals, cut up very small due to passing through my gut is difficult.
When inflamed, pain distention gas is severe.( My biologic helps), gasx, lots of water and pain meds are my everyday treatment plan. I am closely monitored, have never taken more pain meds than needed, never abused any drug. I also have liquid nutrition, Ensure Clear, as my meals substitute.
Prednisone as needed when needed.
All my side effects of Prednisone subsided from all the yrs using it. I do get hot spells and I do have cataracts. Bloodwork must be taken every 6 months and I'm chronically anemic, take B12 shots monthly or biweekly, iron infusions PRN, GERD meds daily and I have severe Migraines since 12, so those meds when needed. I'm diabetic, insulin dependent and on strict diet. 47yrs of Crohns with additional ailments is difficult, yet I worked FT, went to college, graduated and raised kids solo.
Back to Prednisone... It works .it saves us frequently, and it is often necessary. With COVD-19, Delta going up in numbers, we must try to self care with Dr to avoid ER as much as possible. Know your body, know your flare signs, know what to do best for you. I've had a full life, a psych nurse and Hospice for 37yrs, a special Ed teacher, a psych case manager, and raised 5 incredibly strong, smart survivors. My marriages failed, but my Crohns management did not.
I know this is long winded...but I need to be clear as a nurse and survivor of Crohns, many drs are doing this wrong, patients are doing it wrong. Research is gold, do it. Europe is way ahead of us. Go to their sites on what's new. Surgery is still being done too frequently on patients that don't need to take that road, and once traveled, will be back on it. I've had patients in Hospice with 3-4 resections, and we're promised miracles with each one. I put off surgery, letting patience, proper treatment, total gut rest for a week when flare is dangerously severe( IV drugs) and knowledge of which foods are No More and OK, everyone of us differently abled with food selection.
This is never easy and with me, the pain drives me to depression, anxiety and mood swings. Thank God for pain meds or I couldn't function as a provider and carer for my disabled teen, the other kids survived my Crohns and are grown adults on their own. I'm a nurse, mother, ex-wife and a survivor. I'm writing a book as we speak, about my experiences with Crohns 47 yrs in. I hope I've helped someone here. I want to help other survivors. We are True Warriors for life

thanks for the detailed reply. I am an ICU nurse myself! So I’m very realistic and am not asking for a magic answer, just peoples’ experiences. Glad to hear of your positive outlook on life. Thanks for the reply. Goodluck.

Hi I have found I also need to start Prendisone at 40-50mg and decrease by 5mg/week. When I drop the dose I monitor my symptoms closely. If my bowel motions deteriorate after 1-2 days of the decreased dose I go back up to the previous weeks dose for another 7 days they try and decrease again. I end up taking the 20-30mg doses for a few weeks each. After about 2 months my skin gets thin and I am prone to staph infections on my thighs.