Budesonide is a designer steroid with a more localized effect; unlike prednisone and some others, so one generally has to be on it for many months for symptoms to rear up. I was on it for 15 months and stopped because the skin on my forearms was getting a bit thin. I've been off it for 5 months without flares. My collagenenous colitis (CC) was diagnosed about 9 years ago but controlled with diet (fiber, mostly Mediterranean, GF due to Celiac). I also take turmeric supplements with meals, around 3 gm/day; there isn't much research on if that helps or hurts CC, but my GI tract tolerates it and the anti-inflammatory properties may help in preventing flares. The main factors that I have found in controlling CC are managing stress, and getting enough rest/sleep.