Guest guest Posted July 20, 2008 Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 I have been on methotrexate for at least 6 years, no side affects from it. Also Remicade, cant say it has been a problem either. The methotrexate definitely gave me a new lease on life. I am not familiar w/ the Humira to speak on it. Really as far as BAD affects, I've only had side affects from the prednisone, but that was due to large doses at one time. I can tell whenever I have to raise the dose. And the pred again does me a world of good, I could not live anywhere near as close to a normal life w/o it. Yes, it also makes me " moodier, hot flashes, hotter natured, insomnia " -or maybe that's when I forget the Premarin. Hang in there and keep pestering your doctor until you find something that helps YOU. It's out there, it may take time to find it. Don't forget the non-medical aspects of managing this disease too. They are JUST as important-pace yourself, rest, make your tasks easier, prioritize, what is important to YOU and go for it. I have had RA since I was a teenager. My mother had very symptomatic SLE, she passed away at 69. My RA is fortunately not bone invasive, but is widespread (almost all joints) and also affects my kidneys, lungs, eyes, and CNS. I am by nature a very active " outdoorsy " athelete and a mixed animal veterinarian. The RA became much more active about 6 years ago and took away alot of my physical abilities, but life is certainly still very rewarding, I just can't take it for granted and have had to make some pretty big compensations for the disease. (Like learn to say NO!) Best of luck to you. From: shannonvc <shannonvc@...> Subject: [ ] Re: Prednisone Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 10:21 AM Shandi...I am worried about all they meds that I have recently been on but I have seen that a lot of people say they are on prednisone long term and nothing about the other meds. I am currently still in pain but the rh doesnt want the dosage on the pred to be over 10mg a day. She had me on 15mg for 2 weeks but she is doesnt want me to go any higher for right now. she wants to see when the other meds start working. I am on 8 pills for mtx plus humira. she also has me on folic acid for the ill effects of mtx. this whole thing make me feel stupid and i really cant research since i can only spend some much time typing. my RA started in my wrists and hands and moved thruout my body. thanks for your info and help - it means a lot to me. i feel so alone in this and it is getting overwhelming. also thank you for the part about pred and hormones. i often feel like it messes with my hormones. i get like hot flashes and moody. almost like my time of the month. noone has said anything about that. > > > > From: patandpaula <patandpaula@ sbcglobal. net> > > Subject: Re: [ ] Prednisone > > @gro ups.com > > Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 12:54 PM > > > > , I would say the lack of appetite is the plaquenil, I a m no > expert but if you stay on Pred only a month, you should be ok. But > Ive been on it seven months and can't get off; I hate it and wish I > had tried other drugs first. a > > [ ] Prednisone > > > > Hey gang! Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible! My rh > dr > > put me on prednisone two weeks ago trying to get the swelling under > > control. No dice! I've gone through the first two weeks and he > wants to > > extend it another two weeks. I have heard about becoming dependant > on it > > and was wondering what it was all about? And one other thing. I am > not > > sure if it is the plaquenil or the pred. but I can go hours and > hours > > with no appetite at all and then at some point I feel like I need > food > > NOW! It is almost like I had gone days without food. I eat a little > > bit and it is over. Any ideas anyone? > > > > wendy [] > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 20, 2008 Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 Methotrexate and Humira are great drugs for RA. Of course they don't work for everyone, unfortunately. Hopefully they will work for you, and you'll need to take the prednisone just for a few months until the other drugs kick in. Sue On Saturday, July 19, 2008, at 09:17 PM, shannonvc wrote: > I was just diagnosed RA in Feb 08 and my rh put me on prednisone > right away because celebrex and stuff wasnt working. I am guessing I > should be concerned?????? The drs havent said anything about > dependence on it and the glaucoma issues. I am taking prednisone, > methotraxate and humira. Is there better meds I should be taking. > Any information you could supply me would be great. Thank you so > much - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 20, 2008 Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 You definitely can get moody from prednisone. Once I hit about 8MG I turn into a rabid female dog I snap, I feel like I am ready to bust out of my skin...and I get active and want to clean everything. You can get hot flashes and flushing. None of this isn't at all uncommon. And yes, prednisone does have a lot of common side effects. With that said, as I stated before, there are definitely exceptions. But I also agree with doctors that less is best. Since it is a hormone, you definitely don't want more than you need because of the effects. I feel most doctors are aware of this and are careful with prednisone. The key is low dose. My son is a type 1 diabetic so I know there are particular issues in regards to steriod drugs and certain illnesses. He has had to have prednisone a few times to help with poison ivy and it seriously drives up his blood glucose levels. Information is key, but with any medicine we can't let the side effects overwhelm us. Of course, this is coming from someone who will not be put on Rituxin because the warnings scare the heck out of me. So take it with the grain of salt Shandi From: shannonvc <shannonvc@...> Subject: [ ] Re: Prednisone Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 11:21 AM Shandi...I am worried about all they meds that I have recently been on but I have seen that a lot of people say they are on prednisone long term and nothing about the other meds. I am currently still in pain but the rh doesnt want the dosage on the pred to be over 10mg a day. She had me on 15mg for 2 weeks but she is doesnt want me to go any higher for right now. she wants to see when the other meds start working. I am on 8 pills for mtx plus humira. she also has me on folic acid for the ill effects of mtx. this whole thing make me feel stupid and i really cant research since i can only spend some much time typing. my RA started in my wrists and hands and moved thruout my body. thanks for your info and help - it means a lot to me. i feel so alone in this and it is getting overwhelming. also thank you for the part about pred and hormones. i often feel like it messes with my hormones. i get like hot flashes and moody. almost like my time of the month. noone has said anything about that. > > > > From: patandpaula <patandpaula@ sbcglobal. net> > > Subject: Re: [ ] Prednisone > > @gro ups.com > > Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 12:54 PM > > > > , I would say the lack of appetite is the plaquenil, I a m no > expert but if you stay on Pred only a month, you should be ok. But > Ive been on it seven months and can't get off; I hate it and wish I > had tried other drugs first. a > > [ ] Prednisone > > > > Hey gang! Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible! My rh > dr > > put me on prednisone two weeks ago trying to get the swelling under > > control. No dice! I've gone through the first two weeks and he > wants to > > extend it another two weeks. I have heard about becoming dependant > on it > > and was wondering what it was all about? And one other thing. I am > not > > sure if it is the plaquenil or the pred. but I can go hours and > hours > > with no appetite at all and then at some point I feel like I need > food > > NOW! It is almost like I had gone days without food. I eat a little > > bit and it is over. Any ideas anyone? > > > > wendy [] > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 20, 2008 Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 As a type 2 diabetic, I can certainly testify to this! I was on it for just a few months while waiting for mtx to take effect. When I learned (on this list) all of the other side effects that it can cause, I tapered off of it as soon as I could. Prednisone has even been known to precipitate diabetes in some people. On Sunday, July 20, 2008, at 04:10 PM, S. Pruitt wrote: > > My son is a type 1 diabetic so I know there are particular issues in > regards to steriod drugs and certain illnesses. He has had to have > prednisone a few times to help with poison ivy and it seriously drives > up his blood glucose levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 20, 2008 Report Share Posted July 20, 2008 Hello, I took prednisone for a while and had some bad side affects, and also with plaquinil. Still searching for a good one, aside from methadone. Something for the swelling and alos i am in the process of getting a new doctor. Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 Hi I am from AZ. I did went to Rh, But he is resinged have cancer him self last year May. He did gave me Corisone shot my knees. But I have enogh.. I have heard gain wright yes. It is worry me and clothes cost money... Thank you inform us.. Jan from AZ Loveandbear@... @...: wendymp@...: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:25:01 +0000Subject: [ ] Prednisone Hey gang! Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible! My rh drput me on prednisone two weeks ago trying to get the swelling undercontrol. No dice! I've gone through the first two weeks and he wants toextend it another two weeks. I have heard about becoming dependant on itand was wondering what it was all about? And one other thing. I am notsure if it is the plaquenil or the pred. but I can go hours and hourswith no appetite at all and then at some point I feel like I need foodNOW! It is almost like I had gone days without food. I eat a littlebit and it is over. Any ideas anyone?wendy [][Non-text portions of this message have been removed] _________________________________________________________________ Time for vacation? WIN what you need- enter now! http://www.gowindowslive.com/summergiveaway/?ocid=tag_jlyhm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 Hi I was went to RH dr last year he is resign due he is diagnosed.. I did have some Corstone shot.. I have been had Arthristmy hands and knees and both foot... I am 47 years old... Jan from AZ @...: shannonvc@...: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:17:38 +0000Subject: [ ] Re: Prednisone I was just diagnosed RA in Feb 08 and my rh put me on prednisone right away because celebrex and stuff wasnt working. I am guessing I should be concerned?????? The drs havent said anything about dependence on it and the glaucoma issues. I am taking prednisone, methotraxate and humira. Is there better meds I should be taking. Any information you could supply me would be great. Thank you so much - > > From: patandpaula <patandpaula@ sbcglobal. net>> Subject: Re: [ ] Prednisone> @gro ups.com> Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 12:54 PM> > , I would say the lack of appetite is the plaquenil, I a m no expert but if you stay on Pred only a month, you should be ok. But Ive been on it seven months and can't get off; I hate it and wish I had tried other drugs first. a > [ ] Prednisone> > Hey gang! Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible! My rh dr> put me on prednisone two weeks ago trying to get the swelling under> control. No dice! I've gone through the first two weeks and he wants to> extend it another two weeks. I have heard about becoming dependant on it> and was wondering what it was all about? And one other thing. I am not> sure if it is the plaquenil or the pred. but I can go hours and hours> with no appetite at all and then at some point I feel like I need food> NOW! It is almost like I had gone days without food. I eat a little> bit and it is over. Any ideas anyone?> > wendy []> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 Hi I was went to RH dr last year he is resign due he is diagnosed.. I did have some Corstone shot.. I have been had Arthristmy hands and knees and both foot... I am 47 years old... Jan from AZ @...: shannonvc@...: Sun, 20 Jul 2008 01:17:38 +0000Subject: [ ] Re: Prednisone I was just diagnosed RA in Feb 08 and my rh put me on prednisone right away because celebrex and stuff wasnt working. I am guessing I should be concerned?????? The drs havent said anything about dependence on it and the glaucoma issues. I am taking prednisone, methotraxate and humira. Is there better meds I should be taking. Any information you could supply me would be great. Thank you so much - > > From: patandpaula <patandpaula@ sbcglobal. net>> Subject: Re: [ ] Prednisone> @gro ups.com> Date: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 12:54 PM> > , I would say the lack of appetite is the plaquenil, I a m no expert but if you stay on Pred only a month, you should be ok. But Ive been on it seven months and can't get off; I hate it and wish I had tried other drugs first. a > [ ] Prednisone> > Hey gang! Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible! My rh dr> put me on prednisone two weeks ago trying to get the swelling under> control. No dice! I've gone through the first two weeks and he wants to> extend it another two weeks. I have heard about becoming dependant on it> and was wondering what it was all about? And one other thing. I am not> sure if it is the plaquenil or the pred. but I can go hours and hours> with no appetite at all and then at some point I feel like I need food> NOW! It is almost like I had gone days without food. I eat a little> bit and it is over. Any ideas anyone?> > wendy []> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2008 Report Share Posted July 22, 2008 Hi Jan. Thanks for your response. I hope you have found a good rheum. dr. I hope you are feeling better soon. wendy > Hi > I am from AZ. I did went to Rh, But he is resinged have cancer him self last year May. He did gave me Corisone shot my knees. But I have enogh.. I have heard gain wright yes. It is worry me and clothes cost money... > Thank you inform us.. > Jan from AZ > Loveandbear@... > > > > > @...: wendymp@...: Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:25:01 +0000Subject: [ ] Prednisone > > > > > Hey gang! Hope everyone is having as good a day as possible! My rh drput me on prednisone two weeks ago trying to get the swelling undercontrol. No dice! I've gone through the first two weeks and he wants toextend it another two weeks. I have heard about becoming dependant on itand was wondering what it was all about? And one other thing. I am notsure if it is the plaquenil or the pred. but I can go hours and hourswith no appetite at all and then at some point I feel like I need foodNOW! It is almost like I had gone days without food. I eat a littlebit and it is over. Any ideas anyone?wendy [][Non- text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Time for vacation? WIN what you need- enter now! > http://www.gowindowslive.com/summergiveaway/?ocid=tag_jlyhm > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 New to this. Taking Remicade, Methotrexate and Prednisone. Weight gain is a problem. But, doc keeps the Prednisone going. Kinda afraid to stop. Afraid of joints not affected by RA will start hurting. Been on Prednisone since September when diagnosed. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2009 Report Share Posted April 17, 2009 I started out the same way (40 mg Prednisone daily) and we kept increasing the dose of Remicade and decreasing the time between infusions. When we got to 6 mg/kg infusions every 6 weeks I was finally able to get off the Prednisone. I have also been taking Methotrexate all the time with as much as 25 mg once a week. Now after about 7 years I have stabilized and decreased doses so I am now on 3 mg/kg Remicade every 10 weeks and 10 mg Methotrexate weekly. It can take a long time for the medications to reach maximum effectiveness so we have to learn patience. I hope you can have similar success. God bless. From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of nhensl Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 7:48 AM Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Prednisone New to this. Taking Remicade, Methotrexate and Prednisone. Weight gain is a problem. But, doc keeps the Prednisone going. Kinda afraid to stop. Afraid of joints not affected by RA will start hurting. Been on Prednisone since September when diagnosed. Any suggestions? No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.287 / Virus Database: 270.11.58/2061 - Release Date: 04/16/09 08:12:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 That's actually a very low dose of prednisone, and you're only doing it for a short burst of time, so getting off of it should be no problem. This has usually been the dosage that my doctor has prescribed for me, except when I'm in a long flare, he keeps me on it. I tend to be sensitive to prednisone and can't tolerate a dosage over the 15mg. That said, I've not had any trouble coming down off of it as he tapers me very slowly. I've been on prednisone since December and am now working to 2.5mg every other day. This is only because we've had such a hard time getting this flare under control. I expect to be completely off of it in July. Lori http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/ http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com [ ] Prednisone Hi All, New to the group. I was misdiagnosed (as having polymyalgia rheumatica) and then 6 months later it became obvious I had RA since my fingers started getting bent, and I couldn't close my hands. My new rheumy is putting me on prednisone (15mg first week, 10mg next, then 5mg and stay on 5mg). After a while he will switch me to a less dangerous med. I've taken the prednisone two days so far. No reaction good or bad yet of course. The doctor told me my appetite would likely increase. I've also heard that this med can make you " jumpy, " and am aware of more serious side effects from long term use. And I know it's a hassle to get off prednisone. Wondering what experiences people have had at the type of doses listed above -- good and bad. Best to everyone, Ira Brightman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 26, 2011 Report Share Posted January 26, 2011 Prednisone caused me mood swings. I would feel angry for no reason, then depressed and not know why. The mood swings were so bad I had to stop taking it- that and the fact that I gained weight. Of course, I am diagnosed with bipolar disorder (but had been stable on my medication without mood swings for years) until I took the prednisone. Mood problems went away a few days after I stopped taking it, so I'm pretty sure its the prednisone. The doctor said it could cause that problem in some people. On Wed, Jan 26, 2011 at 9:36 AM, jane <janeatregis@...> wrote: > > > hi billie, you have another Texas girl here. My name's jane, I'm from the > Dallas area. I was on prednisone for several years and it really helped (I'm > 54, diagnosed about 20 yrs ago.) they had to take me off of it because I > developed diabetes. Wish i could still take it. Welcome to the group, they > are a great bunch of folks, we really are the RA family. > Blessings and best wishes to you! > jane > > > > > > > Hi I am new to the group, and to RA,I am 75, and take blood thinners > > my Doctor put me on low dose prednisone, has anyone tried this, > > i sure like this group lots of information, thanks Billie from Texas > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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