Re: UC/ SCD for 5 weeks - blood still in stuhl/ Please, need a word of advice

[Guest guest]

Hello and welcome, I'm sorry you're having so much trouble. All of us have different experiences with SCD so I really don't know what to tell you, except don't give up. Regarding giving up the prednisone cold turkey, NO WAY, you MUST reduce it gradually. I started SCD on high dose prednisone (60 mg) and have been able to reduce it to 2.5 mg a day with no flare-ups. I saw immediate results from the diet, both in symptoms and in blood work. Hang in there and maybe reduce the prednisone even more slowly. Maybe you've been reducing too fast. I reduced at 1.5 mg every two weeks, but everyone is different. Let us know how you do.

Ann,

Living in Italy

Undiagnosed Crohn's since 1977 Diagnosed 15 years

Sacroiliitis 25 years

Rheumatoid arthritis 25 years

Pyoderma Gangronosum 2 years

SCD since July, 2008

Meds: Tapering Prednisone for PG

To: BTVC-SCD Sent: Friday, January 9, 2009 3:07:21 PMSubject: UC/ SCD for 5 weeks - blood still in stuhl/ Please, need a word of advice

I am 43, male, german, and a new member to this group. I was diagnosed with UC three years ago. I only had at the beginning up to 10 times diarrhoea a day - that went down to a normal stuhl after they started me on steroids (after 3 months). BACKGROUND: The first 12 months after starting the steroids, I experienced only a few flare ups. Back then, I started the scd only for about 2 months - since the medication worked I started to eat everything again (also being a social smoker). Then I had 9 great months. I was able to reduce the steriods to 5 mg and then finally, I stopped all my medications. A few weeks without any flare ups - and then they started again (diarrhoea, blood, mucus, the whole thing).LAST 12 MONTHS: Flare ups (same symptomes as above) basically came every 4 to 8 weeks, so I was on the steroids again (40 - 30 - 20 - 15 mg) but whenever I reach 15 mg they started again.

START THE SCD: Finally, my wife and I decided to start the scd 5 weeks ago. Within a couple days my stuhl went from soft to almost rock hard (smile). No discomfort after breakfast, lunch not dinner anymore. I was still using 20 mg steriods and 3000 mg salofalk. When I reduced it to 15 mg the blood came back. The last week I had my first cold in 3 years with high fever and caughing - a virus. 2 bowel movement a day and they are firm and formed but with much blood and mucus - sometimes there is only blood coming out before the perfect bowel movement. QUESTION: What is your experience at the beginning of the diet - when would you recommend to reduce the steroids? I am also reading Dr.Lutz - he said that he would go almost cold turkey of the steriods once the symptomes subside? I am very hesitant of that. Any thoughts & experiences?Thanks for your answers in advance.