Guest guest Posted September 18, 2004 Report Share Posted September 18, 2004 Dennis, When you've been on prednisone for 12 years, it may be very difficult to get off of it. Here is an article on weaning off of Prednisone: http://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/medications/corticosteroids/06?fa q%0D http://www.healingyou.org/prednisone.html Did your doctor tell you how much you should decrease to? If you've been taking 15mg daily, cutting to 8 3/4 mg is way to much of a decrease. a > I've been taking 10-15 mg per day for about 12 years. My rheumy wants me to > get off it, so I've cut back to 5 mg in the morning and 3 3/4 at night, > starting last sunday. I have also raised my MTX from 1 cc to 1.1 cc injected > at that same time. In the last week, I've hurt more than normal, to say the > least. I don't think I'll be able to keep it up because of the pain. Is this > the way it's supposed to work or am I just going through a bad time? I > already had to quit taking anti-inflammatories, which doesn't help at all. > Is it going to get better or worse or in between??? Oh yeah, my pain level > started the week at about a 6, but now is at least a 9, and pain pills don't > seem to help at all. > > Dennis > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 18, 2004 Report Share Posted September 18, 2004 Dennis, When you've been on prednisone for 12 years, it may be very difficult to get off of it. Here is an article on weaning off of Prednisone: http://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/medications/corticosteroids/06?fa q%0D http://www.healingyou.org/prednisone.html Did your doctor tell you how much you should decrease to? If you've been taking 15mg daily, cutting to 8 3/4 mg is way to much of a decrease. a > I've been taking 10-15 mg per day for about 12 years. My rheumy wants me to > get off it, so I've cut back to 5 mg in the morning and 3 3/4 at night, > starting last sunday. I have also raised my MTX from 1 cc to 1.1 cc injected > at that same time. In the last week, I've hurt more than normal, to say the > least. I don't think I'll be able to keep it up because of the pain. Is this > the way it's supposed to work or am I just going through a bad time? I > already had to quit taking anti-inflammatories, which doesn't help at all. > Is it going to get better or worse or in between??? Oh yeah, my pain level > started the week at about a 6, but now is at least a 9, and pain pills don't > seem to help at all. > > Dennis > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Dennis, I agree with a. Since you've been on prednisone for so long, it's quite likely that you will have to taper off very slowly. The pain can be due to the sudden reduction in prednisone. Did your physician recommend a specific protocol? I'm not sure about taking it both in the morning and night idea either. The " HealingYou " information about weaning a sent you is incredibly detailed. It seems like a good strategy. You may want to run it by your doctor and see if you can try it. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Prednesone? > Dennis, > When you've been on prednisone for 12 years, it may be very difficult to get > off of it. Here is an article on weaning off of Prednisone: > > http://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/medications/corticosteroids/06?fa > q%0D > > http://www.healingyou.org/prednisone.html > > Did your doctor tell you how much you should decrease to? If you've been > taking 15mg daily, cutting to 8 3/4 mg is way to much of a decrease. > a > > > > > > > I've been taking 10-15 mg per day for about 12 years. My rheumy wants me to > > get off it, so I've cut back to 5 mg in the morning and 3 3/4 at night, > > starting last sunday. I have also raised my MTX from 1 cc to 1.1 cc injected > > at that same time. In the last week, I've hurt more than normal, to say the > > least. I don't think I'll be able to keep it up because of the pain. Is this > > the way it's supposed to work or am I just going through a bad time? I > > already had to quit taking anti-inflammatories, which doesn't help at all. > > Is it going to get better or worse or in between??? Oh yeah, my pain level > > started the week at about a 6, but now is at least a 9, and pain pills don't > > seem to help at all. > > > > Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Dennis, I agree with a. Since you've been on prednisone for so long, it's quite likely that you will have to taper off very slowly. The pain can be due to the sudden reduction in prednisone. Did your physician recommend a specific protocol? I'm not sure about taking it both in the morning and night idea either. The " HealingYou " information about weaning a sent you is incredibly detailed. It seems like a good strategy. You may want to run it by your doctor and see if you can try it. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Prednesone? > Dennis, > When you've been on prednisone for 12 years, it may be very difficult to get > off of it. Here is an article on weaning off of Prednisone: > > http://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/medications/corticosteroids/06?fa > q%0D > > http://www.healingyou.org/prednisone.html > > Did your doctor tell you how much you should decrease to? If you've been > taking 15mg daily, cutting to 8 3/4 mg is way to much of a decrease. > a > > > > > > > I've been taking 10-15 mg per day for about 12 years. My rheumy wants me to > > get off it, so I've cut back to 5 mg in the morning and 3 3/4 at night, > > starting last sunday. I have also raised my MTX from 1 cc to 1.1 cc injected > > at that same time. In the last week, I've hurt more than normal, to say the > > least. I don't think I'll be able to keep it up because of the pain. Is this > > the way it's supposed to work or am I just going through a bad time? I > > already had to quit taking anti-inflammatories, which doesn't help at all. > > Is it going to get better or worse or in between??? Oh yeah, my pain level > > started the week at about a 6, but now is at least a 9, and pain pills don't > > seem to help at all. > > > > Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Just a note to let you know Prednesone is the cheapest medicine you could buy. It cost maybe a dollar or two. Anyone could afford it and the l mg ones are cheaper yet. Sincerely, Anjillah@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Just a note to let you know Prednesone is the cheapest medicine you could buy. It cost maybe a dollar or two. Anyone could afford it and the l mg ones are cheaper yet. Sincerely, Anjillah@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 I've been taking 10 mg for most of the time since 1990, with some short periods of 12-15 mg. My Rheumy has decreed that I take 1 mg less for every 3 weeks until I'm off them completely. That's easy for him to say. I don't have 1 mg tabs, so I'm breaking the 5's into half and that half into half, so it's 1 1/4 mg. It's expensive for me to buy specific 1 mg tabs when I have this large stockpile of 5's. I just don't think I can make it for 3 weeks, but I'm trying my best. Dennis Re: [ ] Prednesone? > > >> Dennis, >> When you've been on prednisone for 12 years, it may be very difficult > to get >> off of it. Here is an article on weaning off of Prednisone: >> >> > http://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/medications/corticosteroids/06?fa >> q%0D >> >> http://www.healingyou.org/prednisone.html >> >> Did your doctor tell you how much you should decrease to? If you've > been >> taking 15mg daily, cutting to 8 3/4 mg is way to much of a decrease. >> a >> >> >> >> >> >> > I've been taking 10-15 mg per day for about 12 years. My rheumy > wants me to >> > get off it, so I've cut back to 5 mg in the morning and 3 3/4 at > night, >> > starting last sunday. I have also raised my MTX from 1 cc to 1.1 cc > injected >> > at that same time. In the last week, I've hurt more than normal, to > say the >> > least. I don't think I'll be able to keep it up because of the pain. > Is this >> > the way it's supposed to work or am I just going through a bad time? > I >> > already had to quit taking anti-inflammatories, which doesn't help > at all. >> > Is it going to get better or worse or in between??? Oh yeah, my pain > level >> > started the week at about a 6, but now is at least a 9, and pain > pills don't >> > seem to help at all. >> > >> > Dennis > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 I've been taking 10 mg for most of the time since 1990, with some short periods of 12-15 mg. My Rheumy has decreed that I take 1 mg less for every 3 weeks until I'm off them completely. That's easy for him to say. I don't have 1 mg tabs, so I'm breaking the 5's into half and that half into half, so it's 1 1/4 mg. It's expensive for me to buy specific 1 mg tabs when I have this large stockpile of 5's. I just don't think I can make it for 3 weeks, but I'm trying my best. Dennis Re: [ ] Prednesone? > > >> Dennis, >> When you've been on prednisone for 12 years, it may be very difficult > to get >> off of it. Here is an article on weaning off of Prednisone: >> >> > http://www.orthop.washington.edu/arthritis/medications/corticosteroids/06?fa >> q%0D >> >> http://www.healingyou.org/prednisone.html >> >> Did your doctor tell you how much you should decrease to? If you've > been >> taking 15mg daily, cutting to 8 3/4 mg is way to much of a decrease. >> a >> >> >> >> >> >> > I've been taking 10-15 mg per day for about 12 years. My rheumy > wants me to >> > get off it, so I've cut back to 5 mg in the morning and 3 3/4 at > night, >> > starting last sunday. I have also raised my MTX from 1 cc to 1.1 cc > injected >> > at that same time. In the last week, I've hurt more than normal, to > say the >> > least. I don't think I'll be able to keep it up because of the pain. > Is this >> > the way it's supposed to work or am I just going through a bad time? > I >> > already had to quit taking anti-inflammatories, which doesn't help > at all. >> > Is it going to get better or worse or in between??? Oh yeah, my pain > level >> > started the week at about a 6, but now is at least a 9, and pain > pills don't >> > seem to help at all. >> > >> > Dennis > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Dennis, Since you have so many 5 mg pills and your rheumy has told you to decrease by 1 mg, please call and ask for samples. I'm sure he didn't think, and obviously didn't ask, about what strength you have on hand. You shouldn't even have to speak with him. In most offices the nurses will check with the doctor for you and will give you a good supply to get you through the transition. At a minimum they should be able to give you enough for 2-3 weeks, if not a month, at a time. My prednisone isn't too expensive, but any amount is too much especially when you have such a large supply on hand. Sometimes even a dollar can be more than I can afford for something not absolutely necessary. Besides, it is not a good idea to be cutting your pills so many times. When you make so many " cuts " you lose accuracy. Also..........if you reach " plateaus " in your " weaning process " , don't hesitate to let your doctor know. It is great to have a goal, but goals are not plans set in stone. It is not a failure to have to decrease at a slower pace. For the first few " 3 week segments " you may have to decrease by maybe 1/2 instead of 1 mg. and you may need to stretch those first segments to 4 or more weeks. Do keep a good dialog going with your rheumy, even if it is via the nurse. As mentioned, my rheumy has told me it's best to take my entire prednisone dose at once. I know some doctors don't agree with that necessity, but I've been told you usually can take less overall by taking it all in one dose rather than splitting into two or more doses each day. Having done it both days, I agree. Good luck to you. Elaine > I've been taking 10 mg for most of the time since 1990, with some short > periods of 12-15 mg. My Rheumy has decreed that I take 1 mg less for every 3 > weeks until I'm off them completely. That's easy for him to say. I don't > have 1 mg tabs, so I'm breaking the 5's into half and that half into half, > so it's 1 1/4 mg. It's expensive for me to buy specific 1 mg tabs when I > have this large stockpile of 5's. I just don't think I can make it for 3 > weeks, but I'm trying my best. > > Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 19, 2004 Report Share Posted September 19, 2004 Dennis, Since you have so many 5 mg pills and your rheumy has told you to decrease by 1 mg, please call and ask for samples. I'm sure he didn't think, and obviously didn't ask, about what strength you have on hand. You shouldn't even have to speak with him. In most offices the nurses will check with the doctor for you and will give you a good supply to get you through the transition. At a minimum they should be able to give you enough for 2-3 weeks, if not a month, at a time. My prednisone isn't too expensive, but any amount is too much especially when you have such a large supply on hand. Sometimes even a dollar can be more than I can afford for something not absolutely necessary. Besides, it is not a good idea to be cutting your pills so many times. When you make so many " cuts " you lose accuracy. Also..........if you reach " plateaus " in your " weaning process " , don't hesitate to let your doctor know. It is great to have a goal, but goals are not plans set in stone. It is not a failure to have to decrease at a slower pace. For the first few " 3 week segments " you may have to decrease by maybe 1/2 instead of 1 mg. and you may need to stretch those first segments to 4 or more weeks. Do keep a good dialog going with your rheumy, even if it is via the nurse. As mentioned, my rheumy has told me it's best to take my entire prednisone dose at once. I know some doctors don't agree with that necessity, but I've been told you usually can take less overall by taking it all in one dose rather than splitting into two or more doses each day. Having done it both days, I agree. Good luck to you. Elaine > I've been taking 10 mg for most of the time since 1990, with some short > periods of 12-15 mg. My Rheumy has decreed that I take 1 mg less for every 3 > weeks until I'm off them completely. That's easy for him to say. I don't > have 1 mg tabs, so I'm breaking the 5's into half and that half into half, > so it's 1 1/4 mg. It's expensive for me to buy specific 1 mg tabs when I > have this large stockpile of 5's. I just don't think I can make it for 3 > weeks, but I'm trying my best. > > Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 Dennis, I have been on prednisone for a year and 1/2 or so. The most I was ever on was 7.5 mgs. I can't remember how we got down to 5mgs but I was on that dose quite a while. When we decided to wean off, he told me that now is when I will really benefit from having an experienced rheumy. He said going off too fast can cause a flare. If going off caused a flare for me, we'd end up back and 7.5mgs and starting all over. So what we did was this: We alternated 4mgs one day, 5mgs the next for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks everything was fine so we went to 4mgs daily for another 8 weeks. That went fine so we then alternated 3mgs one day, 4mgs the next. Each 8 weeks we would change it, so next it was 3mgs each day, then 3mgs one day, 2mgs the next and so on. The last 8 weeks I was on 2mgs daily and I just had a visit last week. My rheumy felt I had been doing so well we went from 2mgs to 1mg. I asked, what about alternating days of 2mgs/1mg and he said I could do that if going to 1mg doesn't work and I have a lot of pain, but I will probably be fine with dropping down to 1mg daily since I'd does so well thus far. I really don't think you should cut a pill more than one time. I once got a 3 month supply of 1mg prednisone for $2.50 from an online pharmacy. For some reason it's more at Walgreens and with my new insurance, and all I get from them is a 30 day supply. Also, if you take it once per day, you can get 1mg tablets and keep using the 5mg tablets to get to a 9mg per day dose, 8mg dose, 7mg dose, so those 5 mg tablets won't go to waste. I expect when I cut the dose to have a few days of 'slightly' increased pain, but then it should go away. If you are in a lot of pain and not functioning very well, then you are going down too fast. The risk there is causing a serious flare that you will need to go up to 15mgs to control. Jennie > I've been taking 10-15 mg per day for about 12 years. My rheumy wants me to > get off it, so I've cut back to 5 mg in the morning and 3 3/4 at night, > starting last sunday. I have also raised my MTX from 1 cc to 1.1 cc injected > at that same time. In the last week, I've hurt more than normal, to say the > least. I don't think I'll be able to keep it up because of the pain. Is this > the way it's supposed to work or am I just going through a bad time? I > already had to quit taking anti-inflammatories, which doesn't help at all. > Is it going to get better or worse or in between??? Oh yeah, my pain level > started the week at about a 6, but now is at least a 9, and pain pills don't > seem to help at all. > > Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 20, 2004 Report Share Posted September 20, 2004 Dennis, I have been on prednisone for a year and 1/2 or so. The most I was ever on was 7.5 mgs. I can't remember how we got down to 5mgs but I was on that dose quite a while. When we decided to wean off, he told me that now is when I will really benefit from having an experienced rheumy. He said going off too fast can cause a flare. If going off caused a flare for me, we'd end up back and 7.5mgs and starting all over. So what we did was this: We alternated 4mgs one day, 5mgs the next for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks everything was fine so we went to 4mgs daily for another 8 weeks. That went fine so we then alternated 3mgs one day, 4mgs the next. Each 8 weeks we would change it, so next it was 3mgs each day, then 3mgs one day, 2mgs the next and so on. The last 8 weeks I was on 2mgs daily and I just had a visit last week. My rheumy felt I had been doing so well we went from 2mgs to 1mg. I asked, what about alternating days of 2mgs/1mg and he said I could do that if going to 1mg doesn't work and I have a lot of pain, but I will probably be fine with dropping down to 1mg daily since I'd does so well thus far. I really don't think you should cut a pill more than one time. I once got a 3 month supply of 1mg prednisone for $2.50 from an online pharmacy. For some reason it's more at Walgreens and with my new insurance, and all I get from them is a 30 day supply. Also, if you take it once per day, you can get 1mg tablets and keep using the 5mg tablets to get to a 9mg per day dose, 8mg dose, 7mg dose, so those 5 mg tablets won't go to waste. I expect when I cut the dose to have a few days of 'slightly' increased pain, but then it should go away. If you are in a lot of pain and not functioning very well, then you are going down too fast. The risk there is causing a serious flare that you will need to go up to 15mgs to control. Jennie > I've been taking 10-15 mg per day for about 12 years. My rheumy wants me to > get off it, so I've cut back to 5 mg in the morning and 3 3/4 at night, > starting last sunday. I have also raised my MTX from 1 cc to 1.1 cc injected > at that same time. In the last week, I've hurt more than normal, to say the > least. I don't think I'll be able to keep it up because of the pain. Is this > the way it's supposed to work or am I just going through a bad time? I > already had to quit taking anti-inflammatories, which doesn't help at all. > Is it going to get better or worse or in between??? Oh yeah, my pain level > started the week at about a 6, but now is at least a 9, and pain pills don't > seem to help at all. > > Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 That sounds good, but he doesn't do samples or stronger pain meds stronger than Ultram. I did see him today and we decided that since I have gone back to 10 mg per day, we won't worry about the prednesone. I heartily agree since I couldn't function by the end of the week no matter how many pain pills I swallowed. I'll be going up to 1.2cc of MTX for a couple of months and we'll evaluate my progress, or lack thereof. Dennis [ ] Re: Prednesone? > Dennis, > Since you have so many 5 mg pills and your rheumy has told you to > decrease by 1 mg, please call and ask for samples. I'm sure he didn't > think, and obviously didn't ask, about what strength you have on > hand. You shouldn't even have to speak with him. In most offices the > nurses will check with the doctor for you and will give you a good > supply to get you through the transition. > > At a minimum they should be able to give you enough for 2-3 weeks, if > not a month, at a time. My prednisone isn't too expensive, but any > amount is too much especially when you have such a large supply on > hand. Sometimes even a dollar can be more than I can afford for > something not absolutely necessary. > > Besides, it is not a good idea to be cutting your pills so many > times. When you make so many " cuts " you lose accuracy. > > Also..........if you reach " plateaus " in your " weaning process " , > don't hesitate to let your doctor know. It is great to have a goal, > but goals are not plans set in stone. It is not a failure to have to > decrease at a slower pace. For the first few " 3 week segments " you > may have to decrease by maybe 1/2 instead of 1 mg. and you may need > to stretch those first segments to 4 or more weeks. Do keep a good > dialog going with your rheumy, even if it is via the nurse. > > As mentioned, my rheumy has told me it's best to take my entire > prednisone dose at once. I know some doctors don't agree with that > necessity, but I've been told you usually can take less overall by > taking it all in one dose rather than splitting into two or more > doses each day. Having done it both days, I agree. > > Good luck to you. > > Elaine > > > >> I've been taking 10 mg for most of the time since 1990, with some > short >> periods of 12-15 mg. My Rheumy has decreed that I take 1 mg less > for every 3 >> weeks until I'm off them completely. That's easy for him to say. > I don't >> have 1 mg tabs, so I'm breaking the 5's into half and that half > into half, >> so it's 1 1/4 mg. It's expensive for me to buy specific 1 mg tabs > when I >> have this large stockpile of 5's. I just don't think I can make it > for 3 >> weeks, but I'm trying my best. >> >> Dennis > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 That sounds good, but he doesn't do samples or stronger pain meds stronger than Ultram. I did see him today and we decided that since I have gone back to 10 mg per day, we won't worry about the prednesone. I heartily agree since I couldn't function by the end of the week no matter how many pain pills I swallowed. I'll be going up to 1.2cc of MTX for a couple of months and we'll evaluate my progress, or lack thereof. Dennis [ ] Re: Prednesone? > Dennis, > Since you have so many 5 mg pills and your rheumy has told you to > decrease by 1 mg, please call and ask for samples. I'm sure he didn't > think, and obviously didn't ask, about what strength you have on > hand. You shouldn't even have to speak with him. In most offices the > nurses will check with the doctor for you and will give you a good > supply to get you through the transition. > > At a minimum they should be able to give you enough for 2-3 weeks, if > not a month, at a time. My prednisone isn't too expensive, but any > amount is too much especially when you have such a large supply on > hand. Sometimes even a dollar can be more than I can afford for > something not absolutely necessary. > > Besides, it is not a good idea to be cutting your pills so many > times. When you make so many " cuts " you lose accuracy. > > Also..........if you reach " plateaus " in your " weaning process " , > don't hesitate to let your doctor know. It is great to have a goal, > but goals are not plans set in stone. It is not a failure to have to > decrease at a slower pace. For the first few " 3 week segments " you > may have to decrease by maybe 1/2 instead of 1 mg. and you may need > to stretch those first segments to 4 or more weeks. Do keep a good > dialog going with your rheumy, even if it is via the nurse. > > As mentioned, my rheumy has told me it's best to take my entire > prednisone dose at once. I know some doctors don't agree with that > necessity, but I've been told you usually can take less overall by > taking it all in one dose rather than splitting into two or more > doses each day. Having done it both days, I agree. > > Good luck to you. > > Elaine > > > >> I've been taking 10 mg for most of the time since 1990, with some > short >> periods of 12-15 mg. My Rheumy has decreed that I take 1 mg less > for every 3 >> weeks until I'm off them completely. That's easy for him to say. > I don't >> have 1 mg tabs, so I'm breaking the 5's into half and that half > into half, >> so it's 1 1/4 mg. It's expensive for me to buy specific 1 mg tabs > when I >> have this large stockpile of 5's. I just don't think I can make it > for 3 >> weeks, but I'm trying my best. >> >> Dennis > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 Any chance of seeing a new rheumatologist for a second opinion, Dennis? I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Re: Prednesone? > That sounds good, but he doesn't do samples or stronger pain meds stronger > than Ultram. I did see him today and we decided that since I have gone back > to 10 mg per day, we won't worry about the prednesone. I heartily agree > since I couldn't function by the end of the week no matter how many pain > pills I swallowed. I'll be going up to 1.2cc of MTX for a couple of months > and we'll evaluate my progress, or lack thereof. > > Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 Any chance of seeing a new rheumatologist for a second opinion, Dennis? I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Re: Prednesone? > That sounds good, but he doesn't do samples or stronger pain meds stronger > than Ultram. I did see him today and we decided that since I have gone back > to 10 mg per day, we won't worry about the prednesone. I heartily agree > since I couldn't function by the end of the week no matter how many pain > pills I swallowed. I'll be going up to 1.2cc of MTX for a couple of months > and we'll evaluate my progress, or lack thereof. > > Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 Dennis, Did you discuss with your doctor, that the problems you experienced could be due to the speed at which you reduced the prednisone? Getting off prednisone is hard, but if you can do it, it would be worth it. I hate to see you give up. Why not try decreasing the dose very very slightly and see how that goes (referring to a's link to the site about how to very slowly get off and why that is so important, or my suggestion of alternating days and only decreasing 1mg at a time on alternating days - so 10mgs one day, 9mgs the next, 10mgs the next, 9mgs the next)? The pharmacy where I got the 3 month supply of 1mg prednisone for $2.50 was Chronimed Pharmacy (online pharmacy). I am sure they didn't run it through my insurance, because otherwise I would have had a $10 co-pay. I am thinking it might have been a one month supply, but either way $2.50 is very affordable. Jennie > That sounds good, but he doesn't do samples or stronger pain meds stronger > than Ultram. I did see him today and we decided that since I have gone back > to 10 mg per day, we won't worry about the prednesone. I heartily agree > since I couldn't function by the end of the week no matter how many pain > pills I swallowed. I'll be going up to 1.2cc of MTX for a couple of months > and we'll evaluate my progress, or lack thereof. > > Dennis > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 Dennis, Did you discuss with your doctor, that the problems you experienced could be due to the speed at which you reduced the prednisone? Getting off prednisone is hard, but if you can do it, it would be worth it. I hate to see you give up. Why not try decreasing the dose very very slightly and see how that goes (referring to a's link to the site about how to very slowly get off and why that is so important, or my suggestion of alternating days and only decreasing 1mg at a time on alternating days - so 10mgs one day, 9mgs the next, 10mgs the next, 9mgs the next)? The pharmacy where I got the 3 month supply of 1mg prednisone for $2.50 was Chronimed Pharmacy (online pharmacy). I am sure they didn't run it through my insurance, because otherwise I would have had a $10 co-pay. I am thinking it might have been a one month supply, but either way $2.50 is very affordable. Jennie > That sounds good, but he doesn't do samples or stronger pain meds stronger > than Ultram. I did see him today and we decided that since I have gone back > to 10 mg per day, we won't worry about the prednesone. I heartily agree > since I couldn't function by the end of the week no matter how many pain > pills I swallowed. I'll be going up to 1.2cc of MTX for a couple of months > and we'll evaluate my progress, or lack thereof. > > Dennis > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 So far, I'm pleased with what he's doing. I've not been in this good a condition in a long time. Every doctor has his/her quirks, and we have to live with them. Since joining this forum, I've learned a lot more than I did before, and it helps me make sense of his targets for me. If it keeps going as is, maybe I can be good enough to go back to the unemployment line! Dennis Re: [ ] Re: Prednesone? > > >> That sounds good, but he doesn't do samples or stronger pain meds > stronger >> than Ultram. I did see him today and we decided that since I have gone > back >> to 10 mg per day, we won't worry about the prednesone. I heartily > agree >> since I couldn't function by the end of the week no matter how many > pain >> pills I swallowed. I'll be going up to 1.2cc of MTX for a couple of > months >> and we'll evaluate my progress, or lack thereof. >> >> Dennis > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 So far, I'm pleased with what he's doing. I've not been in this good a condition in a long time. Every doctor has his/her quirks, and we have to live with them. Since joining this forum, I've learned a lot more than I did before, and it helps me make sense of his targets for me. If it keeps going as is, maybe I can be good enough to go back to the unemployment line! Dennis Re: [ ] Re: Prednesone? > > >> That sounds good, but he doesn't do samples or stronger pain meds > stronger >> than Ultram. I did see him today and we decided that since I have gone > back >> to 10 mg per day, we won't worry about the prednesone. I heartily > agree >> since I couldn't function by the end of the week no matter how many > pain >> pills I swallowed. I'll be going up to 1.2cc of MTX for a couple of > months >> and we'll evaluate my progress, or lack thereof. >> >> Dennis > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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