I've had a pretty major flare-up of my ulcerative colitis which resulted in me getting severely dehydrated on Wednesday and ending up in the ER for an EKG, fluids and bloodwork. All was OK except the dehydration, so I was sent home with strict orders for gatorade, a potassium drink supplement for 10 days (YUCK) and my gastroenterologist prescribed me a 5-week course of prednisone.

I'm hoping the prednisone works quickly because the flare-up is pretty miserable and has kept me from working out for close to a month. My weight loss has stayed pretty consistent but I expect that the pred will cause some temporary water-weight gain and facial swelling, so I'm preparing myself for looking like the "old me" for a bit.

I know any weight gain will drop right off when I taper down from the pred, but I reserve the right to be whiny for a while about this.

Carry on!

Well that's what we're here for... that listening ear (or in this case, eyes... lol). I hope this setback resolves quickly for you and you find yourself back on the mend. BIG HUGS!!!

It is always discouraging to have a set back. Take comfort in the fact that you know the reason for it. Good luck to you and hang in there!

Fingers x'd it passes quickly for you. x

I know any weight gain will drop right off when I taper down from the pred, but I reserve the right to be whiny for a while about this. :smile1:

Heck yes! Whine away sister! We will listen.

Many people hate prednisone but I love it despite its side effects. What is has done for me is miraculous. I hope it helps you get back to your new self very quickly.

I, too, hope your recovery is quick, and you are soon off of the prednisone. If it effects you like it does me, you will get your house cleaned and decorated for Christmas while you are on it. I turn into a whirling dervish of activity when I am on steroids - along with rapid mood swings. Good luck with your recovery.

Sharon

This too shall pass, I hope you feel better soon.

Thought I would post a quick update. I'm still on a high dose of prednisone and as I wasn't having much relief, my doctor did a colonoscopy Weds and found that my colitis has gotten a bit more severe (though hasn't spread through more of my colon). He has added in a script for Cipro which I'm not thrilled about because it's got some pretty harsh side effects. So far on day two I'm doing OK with it and am hoping to start tapering off the prednisone in the next few days (I'll still have to taper for about 5 weeks so I have a while with it). Luckily I haven't experienced the weight gain or extreme hunger that prednisone can cause (yet), so my weight loss has continued. I've definitely not been able to get my protein targets in and haven't for probably about 3 weeks, but as I'm starting to feel better I think it will be easy to get back to my routine. I hit ONEDERLAND this week! (nothing like raging diarrhea and no hunger to help along those lines) so I'm still motivated to move my weight loss forward. Thanks to all of you for your kind words, it really helped when I was feeling so wretched. Now that I'm feeling better I'm anticipating getting back to the gym next week, if only to do some walking on the treadmill or track to get back in gear. It feels good to almost be myself again!!

Glad your feeling better!

your motivation is awesome. just a bump in the road, soon you will feel better.

Thanks for the update. It's great you are doing better and remain positive!