Side effects

[Guest guest]

Mark is right . I wasn't just a bit irritable I

was a whole lot. I had received something in the mail

which had nothing to do with you or the group that

upset me. I am sorry .

Connie

>

> I hope the whole centered tempest in a tea pot

> doesn't get out of

> hand. I don't think meant to be demeaning at

> all of those having a

> hard time, at worst he was a little niave about how

> a lot of irritable

> HCVers would react to his remarks, but he did make

> good points so please

> cut him some slack all, maybe he was just being a

> little irritable himself.

> I think the points he made were very good and good

> to hear, but also to be

> tolerant of others venting is good, cause sometime

> maybe we will all find

> ourselves in that position and need an outlet and

> hope noone feels they need

> to maintain some artificial front when a good

> venting would be just the

> best possible medicine.

>

> Final thought. Before you criticize someone, walk a

> mile in their shoes.

> Then you are a mile away and you have their shoes.

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Mark is right . I wasn't just a bit irritable I

was a whole lot. I had received something in the mail

which had nothing to do with you or the group that

upset me. I am sorry .

Connie

>

> I hope the whole centered tempest in a tea pot

> doesn't get out of

> hand. I don't think meant to be demeaning at

> all of those having a

> hard time, at worst he was a little niave about how

> a lot of irritable

> HCVers would react to his remarks, but he did make

> good points so please

> cut him some slack all, maybe he was just being a

> little irritable himself.

> I think the points he made were very good and good

> to hear, but also to be

> tolerant of others venting is good, cause sometime

> maybe we will all find

> ourselves in that position and need an outlet and

> hope noone feels they need

> to maintain some artificial front when a good

> venting would be just the

> best possible medicine.

>

> Final thought. Before you criticize someone, walk a

> mile in their shoes.

> Then you are a mile away and you have their shoes.

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

-Hi Dave! My name is Wilma and I'm from Scotland and had PA for 3

years now. Since having PA I haven't had a good nights sleep. The

doctors put me on antidepressants to try and sleep but they just made

me worse. They are not the answer. Most medications give you side

affects but you could be on them from 3 weeks to 3 months before they

took affect or even had any side affects. It's just trial and error

with them. The shortest time for me being on any meds has been 2

weeks and the longest has been 6 months. Still no luck. You'll get

there in the end. Just think positive. look forward to hearing from

you

Wilma

-- In @y..., lpressley@b... wrote:

> Has anyone experienced sleeplessness as a side effect. I've been

taking lodine for 3 weeks now and i'm having real problems sleeping,

which is a known side effect. Do the side effects usually wear off

and how long would you say you should stick with a drug before giving

up. Cheers

>

> Dave

>

> > from: TADEL630@a...

> > date: Wed, 22 May 2002 13:17:57

> > to: @y...

> > subject: Re: [ ] new to the group

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi wilma, thanks for the advice. I usually sleep ok and i've probably had the PA

for a few years now but its only since i've been on the lodine that i've been

experiencing problems. Last night was the worst, think i only got about 3 hours

sleep in total. Its not insomnia, just sleeplessness which leaves ne tired for

work. I'm giving the lodine a miss for a couple of days to see if i sleep

better. i don't like sleeping pills, they made me feel drowsy in the morning.

i've made another appointment with my rheumy so maybe i'll be trying something

else very soon.

Fingers crossed

Dave

> from: wilmagalbraith <wilmagalbraith@...>

> date: Thu, 23 May 2002 14:36:46

> to:

> subject: Re: [ ] Re: side effects

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave, Hope you do get something better from your rheumy, I'm okay as I still

can't work so I can go back to my bed when my son goes out to school. That's

cheating isn't it? They won't give me sleeping pills, just anti-depressants. I

don't know which is worse.

Take care! Wilma

lpressley@... wrote: Hi wilma, thanks for the advice. I usually

sleep ok and i've probably had the PA for a few years now but its only since

i've been on the lodine that i've been experiencing problems. Last night was the

worst, think i only got about 3 hours sleep in total. Its not insomnia, just

sleeplessness which leaves ne tired for work. I'm giving the lodine a miss for a

couple of days to see if i sleep better. i don't like sleeping pills, they made

me feel drowsy in the morning. i've made another appointment with my rheumy so

maybe i'll be trying something else very soon.

Fingers crossed

Dave

> from: wilmagalbraith <wilmagalbraith@...>

> date: Thu, 23 May 2002 14:36:46

> to:

> subject: Re: [ ] Re: side effects

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/17/2002 5:13:48 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

john.codling@... writes:

> I would love to hear from them. I have a meeting with my Endo on Oct 2nd and

> would like to amass something to take with me.

>

Dear ,

It is wonderful to hear that you have found some small respite in your neck

cramping symptoms! I know you have worked at this a long time!

What I'm wondering is what is your body temp? Is is below what a normal temp

would be for a perfectly functioning human body? Have you cahrted your temp

for a week or so? If you are below normal, that is an important clinical

sign that your body isn't converting T4 to T3. So, adding more T4 to your

body, even though I know you don't have a thyroid to produce T4, will make

your symptoms worse which could explain why you felt better initially with

the T4/T3 combo but then you felt bad again. This is a classic sign to a

doctor trained to look for 's Thyroid Syndrome that the patient

temporarily lacks the enzyme allowing to convert T4 to T3. Piling up more T4

in the cells of a person with this condition doesn't help them feel well for

very long--they often feel crummy again soon.

Dr. states is this way:

" It is not uncommon for symptoms of biochemically euthyroid and clinically

hypothyroid patients to imporve with T4 containing medicine, only to worsen

again after a time. If the dosage of the T4 medicine is then increased, the

patient's symptoms will frequently again improve, only to resurface again

after a similar time interval as the first relapse. If the dosage is

increased again, the same cycle may repeat itself, with the patient getting

on higher and higher doses of the T4 medicine with the same symptoms

returning each time.

" Finally, after one such increase the hypothyroid symptoms may worsen " right

off the bat " without the ususal initial improvement. This is a relatively

bad sign that suggests the patient is being pushed too far in the wrong

direction with the wrong medicine. This is a classic story, and such

patients typically require more cycles of T3 therapy in order to return to

feeling well on less medicine.

" Note: Although the blood tests are not very useful in predicting who will

and who will not repsond well to T3 therapy, I find it interesting that, by

far, the highest RT3/T3 (RIA) ratios that I have seen, arein patients with

this kind of story (too far in the wrong direction with the wrong medicine).

I calculate this ratio by simply dividing the total RT3 (Radio Immune Assay)

by the total T3 (RIA). I use as a reference point the median of the normal

range of RT3 divided by the median of the normal range of T3, which comes out

to about 2 with the units I use. Sometimes untreated patients have RT3/T3

ratios up to about 3 or 4, but the only times I have ever seen ratios of >6

have been in patients with stories consistent with being pushed too far in

the wrong direction with the wrong medicine. "

" Doctor's Manual for 's Thyroid Syndrome " p. 50.

[Guest guest]

,

A couple things come to my mind....

1. You could have a sensititivty to the inert

ingredients in the meds, are there any hypoallergenic

options in the UK ?

2. The dose of t3 you are taking for the day of

20mcg, since this is 4x as strong as t4, it's the t4

equivalent of 80 mcg. I'd recommend having your TSH,

t3 & free t4 tested. With the symptoms of hyper,

short of breath, sounds like too much t3, and the

other hypo symptoms of tiredness, fatigue,

constipation, sounds like not enough T4. Bloodwork

can confirm, maybe you'd do better with a lower dose

of T3 & higher T4.

Good Luck,

Pam

--- " Codling, " <john.codling@...> wrote:

> " 'hypothyroidism ' "

> <hypothyroidism >

> From: " Codling, " <john.codling@...>

> Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2002 13:12:51 +0100

> Subject: side effects

>

>

>

> Hi I have post a few time now and I get a reply form

> a very nice person that make sense but I need more

> meat on the bone to take to my ENdo.

>

> I will go through this again and asked the groups

> advice please.

>

> I had my Thyroid removed due to a drug reaction,

> something I would not recommend to have done as I

> have had trouble ever since.

> For the first year I just started taking 100mcr and

> 1,25 Mcr of normal thyroxin . After about a year, I

> noticed that my Asthma started getting really bad my

> left lung got so itchy and my nose became so

> sensitive to smells it was unreal. I tried

> everything . I was told its impossible to be

> allergic to this med and it was in my head.

>

> I went to one Dr who gave me Armour but for some

> reason I did not take to it.

> I am now on 50 Mcr of thyroxin and 10 mcr of t3 AM

> and 10 Mcr of t3 at night .

>

> My lung problems and Asthma has subsided but I am

> now getting pains in the neck, Fingers , wrists and

> calf muscles extreme tiredness, very constipated.

> also my eyes are finding difficult to focus. I up

> the dose to add 25 mcr but this make me go hyper

> and I get short of breath, I tried to take one half

> of 25mcr this morning and although I was short of

> breath I feel a little lively now.

>

> I did sleep nearly all day Sunday just like I was

> drugged and after taking the extra 25 mct my lung

> started to Itch and my nose started to run.

>

> This is tow schools of thought or may be three.

> 1, I may be allergic to something in the makeup of

> the t4 tablet.

> 2. As I have been having problems with this for

> nearly a year now, it going to take some time for my

> body to get use to this drug and about 6 months to

> fix it self.

> 3.Is the something else that is wrong with my body

> that is not allowing the thyroxin to get work

> correctly.

>

>

> The last part of my mail is interesting for me as

> every time I post one of my mails I get a reply that

> suggested that I should look a my DHEA and

> Nanderlone output.

> If this person or if anybody has other suggestions.

> I would love to hear from them. I have a meeting

> with my Endo on Oct 2nd and would like to amass

> something to take with me.

>

>

>

> Best regards

>

> john C UK

>

>

>

**********************************************************************

> This message may contain information which is

> confidential or privileged.

> If you are not the intended recipient, please advise

> the sender immediately

> by reply e-mail and delete this message and any

> attachments

> without retaining a copy.

>

>

**********************************************************************

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My friend who was on cancer therapy and had to give herself shots gave me this

tip: when you are doing the injection, inject it very slowly. I usually count

to ten seconds (one mississippi, two....) The first time I gave myself an

injection without using this method, I got bruised and the area was very red and

swollen. Now there are just red spots, but no rashes or dry skin.

As for the fatigue, I have had to learn to pace myself. I take two to 4 mile

walks every day because they recommend exercise. However, I have cut back on

other things and just rest in the evenings. I have a full-time office job, and

I've only missed two of days of work in the past three months. When I do too

much on the weekends and think I'm feeling good, I pay for it later, sometimes

missing work.

In addition, maybe because I've had to take the extra mediation for the low

white blood cell count, the side effects keep changing. I thought the first

time and the first month would be the worst. I've had worse times just two

weeks ago. If I don't eat right, it can be devastating. When everything tastes

like metal, it is difficult to find something that tastes good, but I eat anyway

now because I know how badly I feel the next day. Water is also essential. I

always have two water bottles in the car.

Take care!! You can do it!

(with 9 weeks to go)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/8/02 4:46:30 AM Pacific Standard Time,

baileyyc@... writes:

> Take care!! You can do it!

>

> (with 9 weeks to go)

>

>

Thanks for the advice ! You are on the home strech now!

Hugs,

[Guest guest]

Vicki,

Since you have all those sides already you will only have them a bit

more enhanced when and if you decide to do treatment. Most of the

sides from treatment are also symptoms of the disease itself. Alot of

them are caused by the liver disease that HCV causes too.

Before you decide on treatment, be sure you have a current biopsy

done and have read all you can on both the PegIntron+Ribavirin and

the Pegasys+Ribavirin. They are definitly 2 different forms of the

Peg intereron and you may find you like the results from the Pegasys

better. The sides are easier to manage too.

Good luck and welcome back!!

LeighAnn

[Guest guest]

as There has been but I sure can't tell you for sure I think Bill is one of them

healthnutone@... you could write and ask I will ask at new hep also!

Love,Teri

Side effects

There hAre there any people who are taking peg have no side effets ?

[Guest guest]

Caroline,

I think I am having the same thing, feels almost like a fluttering in my

chest???

Lynn Dudenhoefer

ldudette@...

Side effects

Hi All

I'm on a decreasing dose of prednisolone - 10 mg one day, 15 mg the

next. Next week I will start a fortnight of 10 mg. In the last 24 hours

I have been having 'palpitations'. Feels like my heart is missing a

beat every now and again, usually when I am resting. Do others

experience this? Should I be concerned?

Caroline 2

[Guest guest]

Caroline 2

I would mention that heart beat to your doctor. Then you'll know one way or

the other.

in Ohio

[Guest guest]

Caroline 2

I would mention that heart beat to your doctor. Then you'll know one way or

the other.

in Ohio

[Guest guest]

1. What dose of Sostenon are you using? The whole rediject, I would

guess. How often are you injecting? Can you move up your blood test

for test and estradiol? You could take some nolvadex or an aromatase

inhibitor but I would consider modifying the testosterone dosing first.

2. Yes DHT is a factor.

3. Ditto.

4. It's too early to evaluate.

5. Not unusual. Describe the technique you use. I might have some

suggestions.

The dosage change may have been adverse and may have affected your

libido. The proscar may also be a factor though your dosage isn't too

high. Many people take finasteride with no apparent change in libido

while others have an adverse effect.

You can try a topical drug for male pattern baldness. Minoxidil is

the obvious choice. Dr. Proctor has a topical formula containing an

anti-androgen to block DHT in the scalp. The advantage of topical

delivery is that you avoid altering the systemic level of DHT.

http://www.drproctor.com/

Brad

> After a month on AndroGel and then a month on injectable Sostenon

> 250, I'm seeing some side effects that I would like to share:

>

> 1. Tender Nipples-They are stiff and tender to the touch.

> 2. Accelerated male pattern baldness.

> 3. Some new body hair growth.

> 4. Seemingly none of the beard growth I was hoping for (perhaps it's

> too early to tell.

> 5. Soreness at the injection sites.

>

> I am wondering if some of these are due to the aromatization of the

> T to estrogen and DHT. I'm taking 100mgs of zinc (50am & 50pm),

> about 1,500mgs of saw palmetto, and a quarter of a Proscar pill

> (about 1.5mgs)each day. I might as well be taking saltpeter the way

> the Propecia/Proscar seems to be effecting me. Boy, when I was on

> the AndroGel without the Propecia, it was " hard-on hotel " at our

> house. It looks like I'm going to have to suffer some ED to save my

> hair! I'll probably have a blood test in a few months, so I most

> likely will ask for an estrogen level as well. I have heard that DHT

> is responsible for beard growth, AND, male pattern baldness. Isn't

> that a kick in the pants?! I wonder if there's a way to suppress the

> hair loss and encourage the beard growth?

>

> Regards,

>

> RB

[Guest guest]

Did you switch from AG to injectibles for cost reasons?

Brad

> After a month on AndroGel and then a month on injectable Sostenon

> 250, I'm seeing some side effects that I would like to share:

>

[Guest guest]

I am using the entire rediject which is 250mgs every two weeks. My

hair was thinning before the TRT, now it seems to be accelerated.

I'm not going to see my doc until the spring since I'm about 2,000

miles away from him this winter. I may call him about an est

inhibitor.

I appreciate your feedback.

RB

-- In , brad999us <no_reply@y...> wrote:

> 1. What dose of Sostenon are you using? The whole rediject, I

would

> guess. How often are you injecting? Can you move up your blood

test

> for test and estradiol? You could take some nolvadex or an

aromatase

> inhibitor but I would consider modifying the testosterone dosing

first.

> 2. Yes DHT is a factor.

> 3. Ditto.

> 4. It's too early to evaluate.

> 5. Not unusual. Describe the technique you use. I might have some

> suggestions.

>

> The dosage change may have been adverse and may have affected your

> libido. The proscar may also be a factor though your dosage isn't

too

> high. Many people take finasteride with no apparent change in

libido

> while others have an adverse effect.

>

> You can try a topical drug for male pattern baldness. Minoxidil is

> the obvious choice. Dr. Proctor has a topical formula containing

an

> anti-androgen to block DHT in the scalp. The advantage of topical

> delivery is that you avoid altering the systemic level of DHT.

>

> http://www.drproctor.com/

>

> Brad

>

>

> > After a month on AndroGel and then a month on injectable

Sostenon

> > 250, I'm seeing some side effects that I would like to share:

> >

> > 1. Tender Nipples-They are stiff and tender to the touch.

> > 2. Accelerated male pattern baldness.

> > 3. Some new body hair growth.

> > 4. Seemingly none of the beard growth I was hoping for (perhaps

it's

> > too early to tell.

> > 5. Soreness at the injection sites.

> >

> > I am wondering if some of these are due to the aromatization of

the

> > T to estrogen and DHT. I'm taking 100mgs of zinc (50am & 50pm),

> > about 1,500mgs of saw palmetto, and a quarter of a Proscar pill

> > (about 1.5mgs)each day. I might as well be taking saltpeter the

way

> > the Propecia/Proscar seems to be effecting me. Boy, when I was

on

> > the AndroGel without the Propecia, it was " hard-on hotel " at our

> > house. It looks like I'm going to have to suffer some ED to save

my

> > hair! I'll probably have a blood test in a few months, so I most

> > likely will ask for an estrogen level as well. I have heard that

DHT

> > is responsible for beard growth, AND, male pattern baldness.

Isn't

> > that a kick in the pants?! I wonder if there's a way to suppress

the

> > hair loss and encourage the beard growth?

> >

> > Regards,

> >

> > RB

[Guest guest]

Yes, the AndroGel was approx. $170 a month, vs. about $18 a month

for the Sostenon 250 (which I get in Mexico). My drug plan is the

pits. They make it extremely difficult to qualify, and even once the

deductible is met, they still charge approx. $60 a month. I simply

won't pay that when an inexpensive alternative is available. I'm not

afraid of the injections, plus, I don't have to worry about

transferring the goo to my wife (as with AndroGel).

Regards,

RB

> > After a month on AndroGel and then a month on injectable

Sostenon

> > 250, I'm seeing some side effects that I would like to share:

> >

[Guest guest]

I understand your frustration over the price. The Sostenons may be

giving you higher levels than you had with AG and possibly higher than

you need. I would consider going to weekly injections with a lower

overall doseage. I am currently using 100mg/week. That would mean

usingless than half the rediject and using more of them. You'd need

some calibrated syringes so you can judge the dose.

Brad

> > Did you switch from AG to injectibles for cost reasons?

> > Brad

> >

[Guest guest]

You might consider a switch to Sustanon 100 weekly, or try a daily

application, dependent on what is available where you live.

If you are in the UK, gels and patches are available as daily

applications.

I hope this helps,

Nick

> Re: Side Effects

>

>

> I am using the entire rediject which is 250mgs every two weeks. My

> hair was thinning before the TRT, now it seems to be accelerated.

> I'm not going to see my doc until the spring since I'm about 2,000

> miles away from him this winter. I may call him about an est

> inhibitor.

>

> I appreciate your feedback.

>

> RB

>

>

> -- In , brad999us <no_reply@y...> wrote:

> > 1. What dose of Sostenon are you using? The whole rediject, I

> would

> > guess. How often are you injecting? Can you move up your blood

> test

> > for test and estradiol? You could take some nolvadex or an

> aromatase

> > inhibitor but I would consider modifying the testosterone dosing

> first.

> > 2. Yes DHT is a factor.

> > 3. Ditto.

> > 4. It's too early to evaluate.

> > 5. Not unusual. Describe the technique you use. I might have some

> > suggestions.

> >

> > The dosage change may have been adverse and may have affected your

> > libido. The proscar may also be a factor though your dosage isn't

> too

> > high. Many people take finasteride with no apparent change in

> libido

> > while others have an adverse effect.

> >

> > You can try a topical drug for male pattern baldness. Minoxidil is

> > the obvious choice. Dr. Proctor has a topical formula containing

> an

> > anti-androgen to block DHT in the scalp. The advantage of topical

> > delivery is that you avoid altering the systemic level of DHT.

> >

> > http://www.drproctor.com/

> >

> > Brad

> >

> >

> > > After a month on AndroGel and then a month on injectable

> Sostenon

> > > 250, I'm seeing some side effects that I would like to share:

> > >

> > > 1. Tender Nipples-They are stiff and tender to the touch. 2.

> > > Accelerated male pattern baldness. 3. Some new body hair growth.

> > > 4. Seemingly none of the beard growth I was hoping for (perhaps

> it's

> > > too early to tell.

> > > 5. Soreness at the injection sites.

> > >

> > > I am wondering if some of these are due to the aromatization of

> the

> > > T to estrogen and DHT. I'm taking 100mgs of zinc (50am & 50pm),

> > > about 1,500mgs of saw palmetto, and a quarter of a Proscar pill

> > > (about 1.5mgs)each day. I might as well be taking saltpeter the

> way

> > > the Propecia/Proscar seems to be effecting me. Boy, when I was

> on

> > > the AndroGel without the Propecia, it was " hard-on hotel " at our

> > > house. It looks like I'm going to have to suffer some ED to save

> my

> > > hair! I'll probably have a blood test in a few months, so I most

> > > likely will ask for an estrogen level as well. I have heard that

> DHT

> > > is responsible for beard growth, AND, male pattern baldness.

> Isn't

> > > that a kick in the pants?! I wonder if there's a way to suppress

> the

> > > hair loss and encourage the beard growth?

> > >

> > > Regards,

> > >

> > > RB

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

RB,

Sorry I should have read this post as well before responding.

Bi-weekly injections are going to provide a peak and trough effect on

Testosterone levels.

The peak is where the risk of conversion to Estrogen is increased.

I have heard from a reputable source that the Sostenon available in

Mexico is not as thoroughly prepared as it should be.

There are two injectables available in the USA.

One is Delatestryl, the other Testosterone Cypionate. You could go to

half dose weekly shots to reduce the risk of E conversion.

Another drug you might consider is Striant.

I hope this helps,

Nick

> Re: Side Effects

>

>

> Yes, the AndroGel was approx. $170 a month, vs. about $18 a month

> for the Sostenon 250 (which I get in Mexico). My drug plan is the

> pits. They make it extremely difficult to qualify, and even once the

> deductible is met, they still charge approx. $60 a month. I simply

> won't pay that when an inexpensive alternative is available. I'm not

> afraid of the injections, plus, I don't have to worry about

> transferring the goo to my wife (as with AndroGel).

>

> Regards,

>

> RB

>

>

> > > After a month on AndroGel and then a month on injectable

> Sostenon

> > > 250, I'm seeing some side effects that I would like to share:

> > >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

No, those results were after 30 days on AndroGel. I have not had a T

level done while on the Sostenon. I was on the 5g a day of AndroGel.

Good luck.

RB

> Hmmmm.....after a month on AndroGel and then a month on injectable

> Sostenon 250, your Test level only rose from 199 to 311?

>

> How much Androgel were you on? I am getting ready to start TRT

and

> want to get into the upper high T level.

>

[Guest guest]

No, I don't think my zinc tabs have copper. I'll take a look at the

link you sent along. It's funny you should ask about being able to

sleep nights. Before I went on TRT, I was having a hard time

sleeping through the night; it's getting better all the time. Do you

know what the side effects of low copper are?

Regards,

RB

> R.B. are you getting Copper with the Zinc you are taking Zinc

lowers your Copper when your take more then 50mgs. per day. I found

Zinc with Copper and started using it. Here is a link.

> http://store./vitanet/zincop100cnt.html

> It is good you can sleep taking Zinc at bed time I think it works

better that way.

> Phil

>

]

[Guest guest]

Deb,

In case or a don't see your message tonight and respond, I

will go ahead and tell you that you can't just stop taking prednisone.

You have to taper off it gradually. I'm sure or a will give

you some good advice soon. You do need to see a rheumatologist as soon

as you can. Often there is a long wait to get in to see one. They know

better how to handle problems such as you are having than a GP.

Sue

On Sunday, January 4, 2004, at 11:30 PM, mocha_deb@... wrote:

> Hi, I have been recently diagnosed with Ra I am on methotrexate,

> prednisone, disalcid, naprosin. I have blown up 15 pounds in 10 days

> my insides feel like I am going to explode. I am going to choose to

> stop the prednisone I think if the side effects are hitting this fast

> and hard I need not take this steroid. If any suggestions on this

> please give me comments or places to help my Dr. and I medicate me.I

> am not far enough into treatment to go to a specialist as of yet.

> Thank you for your site it has helped me already. Deb

[Guest guest]

Deb,

Sorry about your new RA diagnosis and that you're feeling so

uncomfortable.

As Sue said, it is best if you see a rheumatologist as soon as you can.

Using prednisone is a very good idea in the beginning to calm the

inflammation down quickly and to tide you over until the methotrexate

can start working. How much are you taking?

Prednisone is not an ideal drug for long-term use since the side effects

after use for great lengths of time are quite serious.

Before discontinuing any of your medications, please consult your

physician.

[ ] side effects

> Hi, I have been recently diagnosed with Ra I am on methotrexate,

prednisone, disalcid, naprosin. I have blown up 15 pounds in 10 days my

insides feel like I am going to explode. I am going to choose to stop

the prednisone I think if the side effects are hitting this fast and

hard I need not take this steroid. If any suggestions on this please

give me comments or places to help my Dr. and I medicate me.I am not far

enough into treatment to go to a specialist as of yet. Thank you for

your site it has helped me already. Deb