How long would you wait?

[Beth]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering how long you would tolerate a flare before you went to your doctor and asked for entocort? Last year I was in and out (mostly in) of a flare for 6 months, and then for the next 6 months I was doing great. Now I've been in a flare again for two+ weeks. Just eating chicken soup with well-cooked carrots and celery, brown rice and eggs and a little bit of coconut oil - and not seeing any results. I keep taking immodium every few days, and then things are manageable for that day. But I want to clear up the parasites I've got, and if I'm in a flare then the harsh herbs I have to take are going to make me even sicker. So I'm wondering if I should just go for the big guns. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[tex]

I would do it ASAP, if I were in your shoes. As a general rule, the sooner we stop a reaction the better off we are. That's almost always true, because the longer the reaction goes on, the more inflammation is generated, and the more damage accrues to the intestines. Also, the more run down we get, the more our vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes become depleted, the more vulnerable we become to infections from bacteria, parasites, and/or viruses, and the more likely we are to develop additional autoimmune diseases - to say nothing of the misery and inconvenience of putting up with uncontrollable diarrhea every day. On the other hand, I can't think of any good reasons for not stopping a reaction as soon as possible, so it's easy to see why I vote the way I do.

Good luck with your treatment, and please keep us updated.

Tex

[Beth]

Thanks, Tex. My hesitation is just that my flare isn't horrible - liquid D about 4 times a day, especially in the morning. But I really don't like that I'm eating such a limited diet - I don't think I'm getting enough nutrients. And obviously I need to get the inflammation under control. I've got a new PCP, so I'll see if I can get in to see her and convince her I need entocort.

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Beth,

I agree with what Tex said. I would call now since it always seems to take forever to get an appointment. Good luck to you.

Love, Maggie

[Beth]

One more question: has anyone, especially the women among us, gotten yeast infections from being on entocort? Since it's a steroid, I know there's the potential for it to allow candida overgrowth. I'm struggling with a recurrent yeast infection right now and don't want it to get any worse!

[JoAnn]

Beth, I did two different rounds of entocort before tapering off last June and I never had a yeast infection. I've had them in the past, but not while I was on entocort. JoAnn

[Gloria]

I haven'thad a yeast infection during the three years I've been on Entocort. I'm in menopause, so that may make a difference.

Gloria

[MaggieRedwings]

I also never had a yeast infection while on Entocort. However, the round of antibiotics for my pneumonia and then the rabies round sure induced one. Finally, it is gone.

Maggie

[Gloria]

Maggie,

You've sure had to deal with a lot of issues in the past several weeks. I hope you're back to normal now.

Gloria

[MaggieRedwings]

HI Gloria,

Thanks for your kind thoughts. That is now in the past and I am looking foward to better days ahead.

Love, Maggie

[klhale]

Get on Entocort and change your diet asap. I got a flare in May and it just kept escalating until I lost 10lbs. Been on Entocort for 3 months and completely changed my diet. I am going into remission again. I actually had a hard time going to the bathroom today. Yeah! This time, I nailed potatoes and a few other things as the culprit. This is the strangest disease ever.

Gool luck,
karen

[Gloria]

Karen,

Whoo, Hoo! Here's hoping we both make it this time!

Gloria