It's been about six weeks since I went off the prednisone. I'm still taking four mesalamine pills a day. I've been doing good, not completely back to normal but good.
I'm not feeling so good now.
My stool has slowly become more mushy again instead of more solid. I've gone to the bathroom three times in the last twelve hours. Not bad, but heading in the wrong direction. I'm pretty sure I saw a tinge of red when I wiped. (Is it too much to hope that what I saw is from hemorrhoids?) My stomach is aching again, especially after bowel movements. The anti-diarrhea pills I've been taking about every five to six days are becoming less and less effective. My diet has not changed from what I've been eating for the last six months.
This is very discouraging. We'll see how the next week goes.
August 26:
I've been going to the bathroom more often now, up to six or seven times in a twelve hour period. (But strangely, THANKFULLY, not at night, at least not yet.) My stool has been mush. When I went to the bathroom a few days ago, the bowl was filled with blood. That was it! The next morning I went back on the prednisone, starting at 20 mg a day.
Within 24 hours my stool became better, about a 4.5 on the Bristol Stool Chart. There's been no more blood. The aching stomach went away. After 48 hours I just feel better overall. No pain, more relaxed, more energy, less brain fog . . . I went for a mile walk with my husband and dog this morning and felt fine! I could not have done that even a few days ago. I was planning on staying on the 20 mg for two weeks than tapering to 15 mg, but we'll see how my stomach is doing in a week.
From what I've read online, people consider prednisone either the devil's drug, because of the intense and terrible side-effects when taken in large doses, or a miracle drug. For me, for now, at the lower doses, it is a miracle drug!
Next Update: September 2022, Prednisone Prevails! (and some insomnia)
Previous Update: July 2022, Not a Duck?
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