I need some help and suggestions. My 11 year old was diagnosed with Crohns and I'm having a hard time helping her go into remission. She is on an anti inflammatory and now the doc wants to start her on a steroid. She is on a dairy free gluten free diet. Any suggestions on what helps or works?

Thanks,

Holly

Hello there! Welcome to the forum. You might be interested in checking out our Parents of Kids with IBD section.

Starting her on a steroid is pretty standard. I'm assuming it's prednisone? That usually does a good job of kicking people into remission.

Is she getting any symptoms right now? Also, did she get tested for gluten and lactose intolerance?

Yes she has been tested for both and has an intolerance to both. I'm a bit worried about side effects of medication. Prednisone is what she is starting tomorrow. Diet has been hard to adjust to. Hoping to find relief for her soon.

Which medication are you worried about? The anti-inflammatories (which I assume are 5-ASA) or the prednisone? I've been on both and could talk about my experiences with them.

Prednisone.

She is also on balsalazide

Prednisone is a medication I don't think anyone on this forum is fond of. It works extremely well, but people usually always experience side-effects with it. Usually the most common ones seem to be increased appetite, and "moonface" aka bloating in the face. These are things which go away when your daughter goes off the medication, though.

Other side-effects (and probably the ones that alarm you) are actually pretty uncommon, and you start to get used to seeing long lists of side-effects with Crohn's medications and learn not to read too much into them. Most people will never experience them, though they're good to know about regardless.

Balsalazide is a pretty mild anti-inflammatory and almost everyone when they start with IBD goes on it unless their case is too severe. I personally never experienced any side-effects while on 5-ASAs, though I've heard a number of people claim nausea when they first start and that it goes away as they get used to the medication.

Thank you.

Hi hollym. I understand you about the medications side effects. It is very hard to make decisions about meds, but when you see your little one feeling better you know it's worth the risks. We have a Love/Hate relationship with prednisone. Is not something you will want to use for long time, only until the other meds kick in. Also you have to taper very slow. Feel free to ask any questions and visit the parents forum. I hope everything gets better soon.