Guest guest Posted March 5, 2003 Report Share Posted March 5, 2003 In a message dated 3/3/2003 11:18:43 AM Pacific Standard Time, smatthies10@... writes: Hi all. I was just diagnosed with RA and am in that stage where I'm a little scared about what's going to happen. I'm glad I found this group. I am 28 and this all started with a cold that wouldn't go away for about three months and then wandering joint pain that eventually settled in permanently into several joints. I am on prednisone and an NSAID and start methotrexate tomorrow. I have a couple questions... I am on prednisone at 10mg a day and will stay on it for about six more weeks (8 total). Has anyone had bad side effects with that low of a dose for that amount of time? And my other question is... I also have a minor heart condition (SVT- a form of tachycardia) and wonder if anyone out there has something similar or has heard of any type of connection? Thank you so much. I'm 39, diagnosed about a year or so ago, I take no prescription meds, NSAIDS only if I am feeling really bad,,but not usually...I just take the pain and stiffness...I detest the idea of being on drugs.... ...but you're tachy question caught my eye...I have had arrythmia and some angina for about 9 months, I had no idea what could be causing it..I don't lose my breathe, so I believe they are minor,,,but is this normal? I miss beats A LOT....this can't be healthy....what's going on? PS. I have zero heart problems in my family. Except for RA I am healthy as an ox. peace, anna In seeking wisdom the first step is silence, the second: listening, the third: remembering, the fourth: practicing, the fifth: teaching others. - Ibn Gabirol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2003 Report Share Posted March 5, 2003 I assume that your doctor is going to taper you off the prednisone, so either you will be dropping every week, or you will begin your taper after your ten weeks - and that might take another 3-4 weeks depending on how fast he/she tapers you. Everyone has different reactions to prednisone - I've been on it for almost two years from doses as high as 60 mg to 7.5 (I'm tapering off now). I have been lucky - no psychotic breaks (just kidding), no real moon face and the weight that I have gained is not that much and has come on very gradually, due mainly to my inability to exercise because of the RA. I'm looking forward to getting my face and body back. I also don't like the longterm effects of being on steroids for long, but it has been necessary. I don't know about any heart problems associated with prednisone. Good luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 8, 2003 Report Share Posted March 8, 2003 In a message dated 3/5/2003 2:35:35 PM Pacific Standard Time, cddlebunni2@... writes: my sister was on the packet of prednizone that begins with taking a high dose then decreasing dosages as the days go by... after about 3 weeks, she began having irregular heart rhythms, along with the chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness that accompanies heart problems... she was hospitalized and given all kinds of tests... nothing was found wrong with her heart... shortly after admission, they gave her ativan to calm her down... all the symptoms disappeared... as the ativan wore off, the symptoms came back... they finally took her off the prednizone and viola' all the heart problems are gone... after the episode and scare and the expense of the hosptial, the rheumatolgist said 'oh yeah, prednizone can cause that'... when she called him at the time, he told her to go to her primary care dr... right... thanks a lot, doc! anyway... that's her experience with it melody wow, how scary...it sure would have been nice to be told to expect that...at very least be allowed access to the literature that accompanies the medications... I don't take any of the meds mentioned on this list..I take no prescription meds at all...and still I have these occassion heart abnormalities...I was just wondering if anyone else did too.....that were NOT medication related....cuz it sure feels weird! thanks, anna In seeking wisdom the first step is silence, the second: listening, the third: remembering, the fourth: practicing, the fifth: teaching others. - Ibn Gabirol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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