Going to try to catch up on a couple of posts this afternoon. When I initially joined the forum I was not a general member of the 9-5 work force. I had built a foundation that I thought would allow me to stay that way too - BOY WAS I WRONG. General changes in life coupled with my health issues forced me back to a 9-5; it is a blessing and a sword at the same time that by profession I am able to earn a very nice income while having company sponsored benefits that are far better.
It was definitely the prednisone; the steroid I had taken before was a form of it - but not the same. It whooped me the first several days, but as I tapered down to the 20mg dose things were much better.
I had a CT done in the ER back in July and the ER doctor said they found Colitis. Doctor Miner reviewed the actual film on CD and said there was something there, but it was in my small bowel (if I remember correctly) - so it was not colitis. The Colestipol was to help handle the issue in my small bowel. I took it for 5 or 6 days and have a couple of refills but per Dr. Miner that is just so I can stock up in case I need to do it again; he did not want me on it long term.
I am on liquid gastrocrom - 4 vials two times a day mixed into 4oz of water. If I am being sincerely honest - I do not "FEEL" any benefit from the medicine. I was recently increased from 2 vials twice a day to 4 (Around 1 month ago) - but still; I do not feel any different on it and I have had 3 endoscopy's (2 regular and one Ultrasonic Endo) since 2010 and 2 colonoscopy's in the same amount of time. Each one reveals increased mast cells (do not remember the actual count) but significant, inflammation, and for the first time this past February during the Ultrasonic Endo - they found increased Eosinophils (Hope I spelled that right). Since these are allegedly the largest contributors to my GI symptoms (Abdominal pain, diarrhea, malabsorption, naseau, etc) - I wonder if it will EVER be controlled

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Sorry for the late response, I hope things are going well for you! I am looking forward to seeing Aiken in December and am considering traveling to the Mastocytosis Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester - but am going to wait and see how things go with Aiken first.
~Lucas