I have been on varying doses of prednisone, 40mg to 20mg and back.
About 15 days ago, I started getting horrific pain and muscle spasms across my chest and around my mid back. I even went to the ER thinking I might be having a heart attack.
Thankfully, that was not the case.
Saw my gastro doc last Monday or a flexible sigmoidoscopy and 3 more biopsies. Told him about the back and chest pain and he sent me to an orthopedic doctor. After xrays, he discovered a sever fracture in my spine at level T5. I had to have an upper body brace made to fit my body. I will be in this for 8 to 10 weeks in attempt to avoid surgery. He is completely convinced that this fracture is prednisone related. Studies show that within one month of starting , the risk of spinal fractures really increase.
[ilink url=”https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26600979″ style=”note” title=”prednisone steroids and IBD”]Risk factors for osteoporosis in inflammatory bowel disease patients.[/ilink]
I was wondering if anyone else has had bone issues related to prednisone use??
I am hoping, if my biopsies are good, my gastro will start reduction of this med. Just really interested to know if any of you have had bad side effects from prednisone. The one thing I am frightened of is the my ulcerative colitis symptoms will start coming back with reduction. Last time I tried 10mg a day, they did. I have been on Lialda, Prednisone and Bently since my diagnosis. I’m not sure if the Lialda has done much of anything. The prednisone did help the symptoms, however, I hate the side effects. Gastro is considering Humira if my biopsies come back with active UC. I also have a seizure disorder but have been seizure free for the last 8 years due to the implant of a vagal nerve stimulator. 2 weeks ago, I had a bad bread through seizure. Not sure if that wasn’t prednisone related either.
Symptoms:
I am hopeful that I am heading into a time of remission. The past 6 days have been relatively quiet. Prior to that, urgent bowel movements up to 15 times a day, sever abdominal pain, some bleeding and mucous, and fatigue.
About Marge:
I am a volunteer at a big cat sanctuary in Wisconsin. I work with Tigers, Bears, Lions, Wolves and many other animals. I am also a non professional photographer.
Medications & Treatments:
I have added to my medical protocol 1000 units of Turmeric once a day, 1000 units each of vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Have been on low residue diet since December of 2015 and have really done a good job of sticking to it.
written by Marge M
submitted in the colitis venting area
I am a 66 year old woman. Diagnosed with UC in January of 2016 after a month of going in and out of hospital (ER and 8 day inpatient stay) through out the month of December 2015. I have been on Lialda, prednisone and bently since then. Prednisone dose has gone from 40mg a day to 20mg a day.
