Complete history below:
I was diagnosed with UC in Aug 2005 due to rectal bleeding and severe cramps. I had a endo and colonoscopy done. The GI prescibed me to take Asacol 3 tablets 3x/day. Asacol helped stopped the bleeding and I was able to eat a normal diet till Feb 2006.

The month of Feb. was very stressful for me and the bleeding started again. I changed my diet to soups and 2-3 Ensure milkshakes w/fiber.

I started taking ayurvedic tablets that stopped the bleeding as long as I took them. I kept taking Asacol and was gaining weight around the stomach and hips.
In Nov. my GI changed my meds to Colazol 3tabs/3 day and Entrocort, (synthetic steroid). Within 2-3 days of taking Entrocort, I started have diarhhea within 2-3 days and it kept getting worse. I told my GI that Entrocort is not for treating UC but he disagreed and told me to continue it

Then 3 wks ago, my GI told me told me to taper off Entrocort and resume solid food & take Imodium as needed & GI told me to stop taking fiber. This made me constipated and I felt painful cramps w/bleeding. I ended up in the hosptal for 10 days where I was given steroids and IV fluids.
How do I get these Steroids out of my system I'm still on a liquid diet.
I am taking 100mg of Prednisone 1x a day & Colazol 3x day. I would like to temper off all these meds & start the holistic treatment but I am not sure how quickly I should wean off these meds.(COLD TURKEY?) Can I start taking Mucosa Heal while I am weaning off these meds? Can I make enough Absorb plus to last me 1 full day & keep it in the fridge?

Hi, Dimple.

I'm so sorry to read about your experience. Unfortunately, I think many other people with IBD have had similar experiences in the course of our illness. I know I went through a period where I felt both angry and disgusted at doctors in general and with what you've gone through, you'll understand why.

Regarding the Absorb Plus, the shakes really need to be consumed shortly after they have been mixed. Refer to the IBD Remission Diet forum. You'll find a discussion thread there called "My daughter is on prednisone and is still bleeding" dated December 6, 2006. Chris, the moderator of the IBD Remission Diet forum, gave some great practical advice about drinking the shakes while still going about one's daily life. It was geared to someone school age, but the principles would still apply well within the workplace. Also, you'll find some advice from Jini in that discussion thread that I think will be helpful to you.

DEFINITELY DO NOT stop your medications cold turkey. Most of the medications used to treat IBD are strong and systemic and it would further aggravate the body to stop them suddenly. Particularly with one of the really strong drugs like prednisone, you will probably have to do a slow taper. Jini provides guidelines in Chapter Five of Listen to Your Gut (particularly on page 307). Taper off one medication at a time to give your body time to adjust.

You can definitely take MucosaHeal while you are tapering off of your medications. In fact, the MucosaHeal should help mitigate some of the symptoms you'll likely experience while tapering.

Here are some words from Jini on what you can expect:

Do not expect to stop your drugs, implement natural healing methods and just feel better with every day that passes. When you're weaning yourself off drugs - and during the root-level healing process that will follow - go back and read Chapter One again, so you have a better idea of what to expect on your healing pathway. Expect ups and downs, expect short-term recurrences or periodic worsening of symptoms (healing crises). But know that if you stay with your body during these times and allow it to detoify itself, or give you additional messages about what needs healing, then you will reap the rewards in abundance. If you stay tuned and connect with your body during these healing crises, you'll know what you need to do next. Don't give your authority away to me, or your doctor, or anyone else during these times. You are the only one who knows what's best for your body and you may feel led to do something that I disagree with, or your doctor, or family disagrees with, stay with your own body and follow its guidance above all else.

So it may very well be a rocky journey at times, but I think anyone who's gone through the weaning process and gone on to enjoy good health medication-free will tell you it is very much worth it.

While you're weaning off medications, be very sure to take care of your body in every way you can. Follow the appropriate Healing Diet according to your symptoms, get plenty of rest and relaxation, exercise gently, take care of your emotions, etc. This, too, will help make the process as smooth as it can be.

Don't hesitate to come back with other questions as they arise. I, and other people of the forum, will support you in every way we can.

Nicole