Prednisone for IC

[sorrelapp]

Has anyone taken prednisone for IC. I did a steroid dose pack 2 months ago and it seemed to help. Then everything went downhill again after that. My Uro said she has several pts that take low doses of prednisone on a long term basis. She wants me to take 10 mg a day for appr one month, then if I have improved start to taper down to a lower maintance dose. I started today, and felt worse. I know prednisone is a potent anti-inflammatory drug, so it should not of made me feel worse. Maybe it was the pears I tried to eat....

[jen74]

I have heard of people who take prednisone when they have bad flares. But one thing you have to remember is, there really is no research that has proven what causes IC in the first place. Lets say it is some sort of hidden infection, well taking prednisone would only lets say, add fuel to the fire. Steroids lower your immune system and it makes it harder for your body to fight off infections and to stay healthy. That is why doctors do not like to prescribe then unless they absolutely have to, and usually it is only for a very short time.

I understand your doctors idea on having you on a low dose in hopes that it will keep the inflmmation down, but I personally believe that they need to find out what is causing the IC first. Steroids have alot of bad side effects, especially when taking them for any length of time. I wish I had more answers, but unfortunately I do not. I hope you get to feeling better.

Jen

[Briza]

Sorell
You might want to look into an anti-inflammatory diet for longterm management of your symptoms--much safer than longterm use of steroids. :)

[sorrelapp]

I will look into the anti-inflammatory diet. I love to eat, and the IC diet is killing me. I cant tolerate anything.... I call my diet bread and water. I have had to resort to my UTA pills for the last 24 hours. I took a few Lortab, but I only get a few hours of pain relief from them. Today is the second day on the prednisone. My uro thinks my IC is inflammation, since I never have any positive cultures. I have failed Elmiron and different instillations, so we dont really have much else to try.

[jen74]

Sorreelapp,

I know you have had negative cultures, but have you ever tried an antibitoic anyways just to see if it would help? I have had in the past urine cultures that were positive and some that were negative. But I have to say, there were times that I had a negative culture and my doctor still treated me and I did feel better! I Do NOT trust the cultures. My doctor even said you have to sometimes go by how you feel and what works. I have to be on a low dose antibitoic daily just to keep the infection down. I take keflex and it has really helped me in terms of keeping the infections down. I still have issues, but it had definitely helped. Good Luck, hope you feel better soon.

Jen

[eyeliner128]

I didn't respond well to prednisone either, I had to stop it. I tried it a few years ago. Recently though, I've decided to try the same method with hydrocortisone, a natural steroid made by the body to suppress the immune system and lower inflammation - it's like a mild prednisone.

I've been taking 5mg 3xday, for a month, so we'll see if it works out! I had bad nausea the first week but I've gotten over that. I believe that I.C. happens because our immune systems are attacking our own bladders, so it makes sense that a steroid that inhibits the immune system would help improve our symptoms. That's why there has been much success with Cyclosporine (but that's a whole nother thread!).


Molly :)

[sorrelapp]

Well its been almost 2 weeks on the prednisone and things have gone downhill, partially due to trying marshmallow root tea. Today I took a double dose of the prednisone thinking that might help, and it seemed to flare this afternoon. Fustration is very high right now, as I have used up just about every idea my urologist has.