Prednisone question! Please help!

Hello,
I have had Ulcerative Colitis since I was 12 years old (im almost 22 now). When I was younger I had a VERY bad flare that landed me in the hospital for over a month. Finally my disease went into remission for about 8 years. About a month ago I started bleeding again. Gradually my bleeding got more and more and the abdomen pain started and then came the nausea. Anyway the other day I was at work and kept having to rush to the bathroom and all that would come out was blood. I also kept regurgitating bile. I pretty much felt like **** and I cant get an appointment to see a gastro for a month so I decided to leave work and go to the ER. While there I told them about my Colitis and they did a urine test, blood test, gave me "prevacid" for my stomach, some pain medication, and some stuff for my nausea. Before I left the doctor said it was probably indeed just a colitis flare and he gave me a prescription for Prednisone. I am to take 60 mg of Prednisone every day for 5 days and thats it. He said "I just might need a little kick to get back in remission". Now When I was really sick when I was younger I always had to be weaned off of prednisone so I just wanted a second opinion. Is it safe for me to take 60 mg of Prednisone for 5 days and then just stop?

Thanks!
Kristen

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
5 days is a short period and generally does not require tapering of the dose.
But steroid is generally given for two weeks and then gradually tapered off by 5 mg every week till it comes down to 20 mg and then tapered by 2.5 mg per week.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.