Prednisone

[Guest guest]

A very important message Elaine. Thanks for sharing your story and pointing

out the facts that these meds all affect us differently.

Just because a side effect is listed, it does NOT mean we will all suffer

those side effects. Prednisone is a life saver to many.

a

> Kath,

> You should never try to taper down or off of Prednisone on your own.

> It can be extremely dangerous. It should be done under the direction

> of your physician. Please call him/her, express your concerns, and

> follow his/her directions precisely.

>

> Also, keep in mind that not everyone experiences the terrible side

> affects of prednisone that are dangerous to one's health. I have been

> on prednisone for 6-7 years and can't go off completely as I must

> take it for my lungs. I've been on 10 mg. for at least a few years.

> Over the time I've taken prednisone I've frequently had to take very

> large doses, often 250, 300 and 400 mg.

>

> After about a two year bout of needing almost continual large doses

> my doctor ordered a bone density scan, expecting to find significant

> osteoporosis. I'd had a baseline done before starting to take

> prednisone and then the one after extended, long term, huge amounts

> of prednisone. The follow-up bone density scan showed no change in

> bone density what-so-ever. I continue to have no bone loss and

> actually have the bone density expected to be found in someone 20-30

> years younger than me.

>

> I may not be typical but I am proof that not everyone who takes

> prednisone will have bone density loss.

>

> I've experienced weight gain although now am on a weight loss trend.

> I have some " buffalo hump " , which I consider more cosmetic than a

> threat to my health.

>

> The benefits I've received from the prednisone far outweigh any side

> effects.

>

> I share this not to try to convince anyone that prednisone is a good

> drug for everyone, but rather to encourage any of you whose

> physicians have prescribed it to keep an open mind. Yes, normally it

> is a drug we find great relief from but hate to take it because of

> the side affects. However, please don't let yourself get caught in a

> swift current of panic and fear it is going to bring great harm to

> everyone that takes it. If it caused great and horrendous harm to

> everyone that takes it, it would have been pulled from the market

> long ago.

>

> Prednisone, taken under the close supervision of the prescribing

> physician along with excellent communication between patient and

> physician, with the patient being fully compliant, can be a very good

> drug with great benefits and does not have to have significant or

> devestating side affects on the patient.

>

> MANY RA meds have the potential for serious side affects. But that

> doesn't mean everyone who takes those drugs will suffer those ill

> effects. Educate yourself and keep an honest and open dialogue with

> your physician and you will stand the best chance of finding the best

> combination of drugs for you. Always keep in mind that every person

> is an individual and will react in a different manner than others.

>

> I'm living proof that a drug that causes great harm to some is a

> miracle drug for me. Prednisone keeps me alive and for that I'm very

> grateful ----- and I'm very thankful that a couple of ladies on this

> list opened my eyes and my mind, encouraging me to not live in fear

> of every drug that has potential adverse affects. They helped me long

> before this group was formed and for that I can't thank them enough.

>

> In return, I truly hope each of you facing choices and

> recommendations to take drugs which may have potential serious ill

> effects will keep your minds open and not let yourselves be

> prejudiced unfairly.

>

> Fear is crippling. It is very easy to get caught in that swift

> current of panic and peer pressure. That too can be more devestating

> than whatever caused that panic and pressure. a, and the

> members of this group have a wealth of information to share. Use it

> wisely. Educate yourself and you will be able to hold intelligent,

> informed discussions with your physician and will be more likely to

> find an effective plan of action to treat your disease.

> Answers/solutions seldom happen overnight.

>

> Sorry to have been so long and to have rambled on and on. I'll get

> off my soapbox and put my runny fingers to sleep. I just had to share

> because you hit a nerve close to my heart.

>

> Elaine in Vegas

>

>

>

>

>> > Hi,

>> >

>> > I've been scanning the notes on prednisone and I'm scared. I can't

> get into a rheumatologist until August - I've had RA symptoms since

> May (early). I am taking 20 mg of prednisone a day just so I can

> sleep and function - my hands are the worst. They get very very

> swollen, red, and painful without the prednisone. I cut back to 10

> mg. once and my hands started hurting too much to keep that up so I

> went back to the 20 mg. I read that you can have bone loss very

> quickly from this drug. Now I'm terrified. But, I don't want to

> hurt in my hands all day, all night, every day. Any thoughts? I

> could use some encouragement and advice.

>> >

>> > Thanks

>> >

>> > Kath - who is not liking this whole thing very much

>> >

>> >