I am a 24 y/o male. I was diagnosed roughly 5.5 years ago with UC after a major flare and a 2-week long stay in the hospital. I have been able to manage the mild/moderate UC somewhat (prednisone tapers 1-2 times per year), and have slowly learned triggers and other behaviors that lead to flare-ups.
This holiday season I had a terrible flare (worst since diagnosis), including abdominal pain and loose, bloody bowel movements, and was hospitalized for 4 days. I slowly recovered and started feeling better after 60mg IV steroid in hospital for 4 days, then 60mg prednisone daily for about a week after. I was having normal bowel movements and starting get build up the repertoire of foods I was able to eat. I started to taper, and made it down to 40mg prednisone over the next few days, but all of a sudden started having bloody bowel movements (but not pain) again. I have no bloating, and no apparent swelling, but am still bleeding. I made no drastic changes in my diet other than increase caloric intake. I also started to exercise again (light weight lifting).
Is it possible that the high dose of steroids is a bad thing at this point, and that the steroids may be doing harm in the healing process of the ulcers, thus causing them to bleed? I am no longer swollen or bloated from what I can tell (I really should be scoped, it has been about 3-4 years). I have a follow-up appointment with my gastro MD in 8 days, but it has been since Dec 24 that this bout has been going on. Any insights? Thank you.