Dropped my prednisone and in bad shape again

[Guest guest]

I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg in prednisone

yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my last flare for a week

or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make yourself feel

miserable, even if you think it will be over in a couple of weeks. (or

at least until the next pred reduction)

Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips and ankles are

killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I had to use two hands

to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my son up this

afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear shift, because I

couldn't operate the button that you push in to move it.

I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys would understand.

[Guest guest]

I am so sorry you are feeling so bad. I hope tomorrow you will feel

alittle better.

Marsha

Randall <krandall@...> wrote:

I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg in prednisone

yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my last flare for a week

or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make yourself feel

miserable, even if you think it will be over in a couple of weeks. (or

at least until the next pred reduction)

Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips and ankles are

killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I had to use two hands

to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my son up this

afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear shift, because I

couldn't operate the button that you push in to move it.

I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys would understand.

[Guest guest]

Dear , I take prednisone also, along with MXT,Enbrel, Mobic, Folic acid,

Vicodin, and prilosec. Since I started the Enbrel in October I have been able to

ween myself down on the prednisone to 4 mg a day, once i hit 6 mg and started

decreasing further down the pain picked back up. I am debating myself on if I

should just keep it at 6mg. I've been on it for over 6 years, The prednisone

will eat up your bones. It also has other side effects, weight gain, stomach

problems, fatigue, these are just to name a few. I have an Uncle who has

suffered with severe RA all his life as well. And the prednisone has not been to

his favor. I myself will continue to ween myself off it. Regardless of the

pain, I'm looking for other alternatives. I'm only 47 years old and already feel

20 years older than that. Just remember your not alone.

This group has been a great support to me. Jean

Dandcmayer@... wrote:

Dear ,

Please excuse any mistakes, I am recovering from my second cataract surgery.

Thiese were encapsulated cataracts which are due primarily to taking

prednisone. I tried to stop, got down to 5mg and couldn't go any further and

feel

alive, just a tangle of pain. My Dr. advised that 5 mg is a very low dosage

and if that was all I could do, then it would have to be. I have asthma, so

I have used prednisone all of my life, just not on a daily basis until I got

RA. It is a lifestyle choice, and at 56 I decided that I would take the

risk, because I had already done much of the damage and the quality of life is

more important to me.

Hope this helps.

Carol m. in CA

@>~~~~

[Guest guest]

Dear :

I'm in the process of tapering my prednisone, as well. I went from 10 mg. to 5

mg., stayed

on 5 mg. for 3 months; cut the dose in 1/2 at 2.5 mg. and just went down to 2

mg. My

rheumatologist has told me that I may rebound with pain and if it's bad, to

taper more

slowly. She believes that it should take me 3 weeks to taper from 2 mg. to

nothing.

However, I'm determined more out of vanity than anything else. Three months of

prednisone has given me the characteristic " moon face " and I can't stand how I

look.

Let's gripe together....

Paige

> I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg in prednisone

> yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my last flare for a week

> or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make yourself feel

> miserable, even if you think it will be over in a couple of weeks. (or

> at least until the next pred reduction)

>

> Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips and ankles are

> killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I had to use two hands

> to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my son up this

> afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear shift, because I

> couldn't operate the button that you push in to move it.

>

> I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys would understand.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, if I got to the point that I was long-term miserable at a lower

prednisone dose, I would have to make a decision. But at this point,

each time I've dropped down on the prednisone, I've had a couple of

miserable weeks until my body adjusted, and then I've been back to

status quo. So, I think at this point, it's just something I need to

grit my teeth and get through.

>

> Dear ,

>

> Please excuse any mistakes, I am recovering from my second

cataract surgery.

> Thiese were encapsulated cataracts which are due primarily to

taking

> prednisone. I tried to stop, got down to 5mg and couldn't go any

further and feel

> alive, just a tangle of pain. My Dr. advised that 5 mg is a very

low dosage

> and if that was all I could do, then it would have to be. I have

asthma, so

> I have used prednisone all of my life, just not on a daily basis

until I got

> RA. It is a lifestyle choice, and at 56 I decided that I would

take the

> risk, because I had already done much of the damage and the

quality of life is

> more important to me.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Carol m. in CA

>

> @>~~~~

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Marsha. Not yet, but hopefully it won't be TOO long.

> I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg in

prednisone

> yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my last flare for a

week

> or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make yourself feel

> miserable, even if you think it will be over in a couple of weeks.

(or

> at least until the next pred reduction)

>

> Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips and ankles are

> killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I had to use two

hands

> to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my son up this

> afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear shift, because I

> couldn't operate the button that you push in to move it.

>

> I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys would understand.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Thanks.

I'm down to 7mg at this point. From 15mg on down, each step down has

been bad for a couple of weeks. I'm taking Humira now, (along with

Mtx & Voltaren) and it has definitely helped more than anything else.

(other than prednisone, but I've known since the beginning that the

prednisone was a short-term fix) I _really_ want to get off the

prednisone completely, but there doesn't seem to be any easy way to

do it. I almost wish you could just stop, cold turkey, and get it

over with once and for all.<g> (don't worry, I know you can't do

that)

> Dear ,

>

> Please excuse any mistakes, I am recovering from my second cataract

surgery.

> Thiese were encapsulated cataracts which are due primarily to

taking

> prednisone. I tried to stop, got down to 5mg and couldn't go any

further and feel

> alive, just a tangle of pain. My Dr. advised that 5 mg is a very

low dosage

> and if that was all I could do, then it would have to be. I have

asthma, so

> I have used prednisone all of my life, just not on a daily basis

until I got

> RA. It is a lifestyle choice, and at 56 I decided that I would take

the

> risk, because I had already done much of the damage and the quality

of life is

> more important to me.

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Carol m. in CA

>

> @>~~~~

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh, I've had to taper much more slowly than that, I'm afraid. From

12mg, I haven't been able to tolerate a drop of more than 1mg at a

time, and they've been having me go down about 1 mg per month. I was

in the middle of a flare the last time I was supposed to drop down,

so the doc told me to hold off. But even if I can stay on schedule,

it will be another 7 months before I'm off the stupid stuff.

> > I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg in

prednisone

> > yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my last flare for

a week

> > or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make yourself feel

> > miserable, even if you think it will be over in a couple of

weeks. (or

> > at least until the next pred reduction)

> >

> > Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips and ankles

are

> > killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I had to use two

hands

> > to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my son up this

> > afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear shift, because I

> > couldn't operate the button that you push in to move it.

> >

> > I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys would

understand.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I started weaning prednisone and then I had to go off humira and cut my arava

dose in half because of repeated sinus infections and asthma. I have moon face

so bad

it makes me feel terrible just looking in the mirror but I have to use

something.

Once I got the humira out of my system though my wheezing got a lot better.

Joy

Paige <paigec38@...> wrote:

Dear :

I'm in the process of tapering my prednisone, as well. I went from 10 mg. to 5

mg., stayed

on 5 mg. for 3 months; cut the dose in 1/2 at 2.5 mg. and just went down to 2

mg. My

rheumatologist has told me that I may rebound with pain and if it's bad, to

taper more

slowly. She believes that it should take me 3 weeks to taper from 2 mg. to

nothing.

However, I'm determined more out of vanity than anything else. Three months of

prednisone has given me the characteristic " moon face " and I can't stand how I

look.

Let's gripe together....

Paige

> I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg in prednisone

> yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my last flare for a week

> or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make yourself feel

> miserable, even if you think it will be over in a couple of weeks. (or

> at least until the next pred reduction)

>

> Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips and ankles are

> killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I had to use two hands

> to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my son up this

> afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear shift, because I

> couldn't operate the button that you push in to move it.

>

> I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys would understand.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I applaud you for your efforts to wean off Prednisone. As I've said

before, the doctor doesn't have to live in your body, so he/she doesn't know

what you're going through. You must insist on making your own schedule. Tell

your doctor that you will try to conform to orders, but YOU will be the one

deciding on exactly when to move down on dosage. After all, the doctor works

for you.

Dennis in Eastexas

" It's not Rocket Surgery "

[ ] Re: Dropped my prednisone and in bad shape again

> Oh, I've had to taper much more slowly than that, I'm afraid. From

> 12mg, I haven't been able to tolerate a drop of more than 1mg at a

> time, and they've been having me go down about 1 mg per month. I was

> in the middle of a flare the last time I was supposed to drop down,

> so the doc told me to hold off. But even if I can stay on schedule,

> it will be another 7 months before I'm off the stupid stuff.

>

>

>

>

>>

>> Dear :

>>

>> I'm in the process of tapering my prednisone, as well. I went from

> 10 mg. to 5 mg., stayed

>> on 5 mg. for 3 months; cut the dose in 1/2 at 2.5 mg. and just went

> down to 2 mg. My

>> rheumatologist has told me that I may rebound with pain and if it's

> bad, to taper more

>> slowly. She believes that it should take me 3 weeks to taper from

> 2 mg. to nothing.

>> However, I'm determined more out of vanity than anything else.

> Three months of

>> prednisone has given me the characteristic " moon face " and I can't

> stand how I look.

>>

>> Let's gripe together....

>>

>> Paige

[Guest guest]

: Yes, we do understand. That is what Pred does

when we decrease it - here comes the pain again. I

know how important it is for you that you are able to

get off of Pred, but maybe you dropped again just a

little too soon after your last major flare? I really

feel for you, my friend. This RA stuff really sucks

sometimes. Use your rice socks, ice packs, heating

pad, whatever works, and know that you are in my

prayers that you will be up and out riding Oliver

again real soon.

Take care - and hang in there - Kathe in CA

--- Randall <krandall@...> wrote:

> I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg

> in prednisone

> yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my

> last flare for a week

> or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make

> yourself feel

> miserable, even if you think it will be over in a

> couple of weeks. (or

> at least until the next pred reduction)

>

> Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips

> and ankles are

> killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I

> had to use two hands

> to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my

> son up this

> afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear

> shift, because I

> couldn't operate the button that you push in to move

> it.

>

> I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys

> would understand.

>

>

>

>

" Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will

not himself find peace. "

— Albert Schweitzer, French Nobel Peace Prize-winning mission doctor and

theologian (1875-1965)

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Never miss an email again!

Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives.

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[Guest guest]

: Yes, we do understand. That is what Pred does

when we decrease it - here comes the pain again. I

know how important it is for you that you are able to

get off of Pred, but maybe you dropped again just a

little too soon after your last major flare? I really

feel for you, my friend. This RA stuff really sucks

sometimes. Use your rice socks, ice packs, heating

pad, whatever works, and know that you are in my

prayers that you will be up and out riding Oliver

again real soon.

Take care - and hang in there - Kathe in CA

--- Randall <krandall@...> wrote:

> I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg

> in prednisone

> yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my

> last flare for a week

> or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make

> yourself feel

> miserable, even if you think it will be over in a

> couple of weeks. (or

> at least until the next pred reduction)

>

> Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips

> and ankles are

> killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I

> had to use two hands

> to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my

> son up this

> afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear

> shift, because I

> couldn't operate the button that you push in to move

> it.

>

> I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys

> would understand.

>

>

>

>

" Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will

not himself find peace. "

— Albert Schweitzer, French Nobel Peace Prize-winning mission doctor and

theologian (1875-1965)

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go

with for Mobile. Get started.

http://mobile./mail

[Guest guest]

Fortunately, at least so far, I haven't had any problem with

infections on Humira. (or Enbrel before it) Hope you can get yours

under control soon so you can get back on better drugs than the pred!

> > I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg in

prednisone

> > yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my last flare for

a week

> > or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make yourself feel

> > miserable, even if you think it will be over in a couple of

weeks. (or

> > at least until the next pred reduction)

> >

> > Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips and ankles

are

> > killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I had to use two

hands

> > to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my son up this

> > afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear shift, because I

> > couldn't operate the button that you push in to move it.

> >

> > I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys would

understand.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathe,

Thanks for the pep talk, I need it!<g> It was MUCH warmer here

today, and I really wanted to ride, but I was already hurting all

over, and was afraid I'd just make things worse. So I went to church

and then lazed around the house the rest of the day. I haven't

ridden since the middle of last week, and I miss my boy!

I wrote a long response to your earlier post to me, but I think it

went " poof " somewhere in , since I never saw it posted. Did you

get it? If not, I'll try to write you an update another time. I

hope Shekar is continuing to do well after his colic... that is so

scary, even when it turns out to be minor after the fact! I hope you

had a great ride with your friend, and the horses weren't TOO frisky

in your <ahem> " cool " California weather!<g>

>

> > I finally bit the bullet and dropped down another mg

> > in prednisone

> > yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over my

> > last flare for a week

> > or two) It's so hard to make the decision to make

> > yourself feel

> > miserable, even if you think it will be over in a

> > couple of weeks. (or

> > at least until the next pred reduction)

> >

> > Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees, hips

> > and ankles are

> > killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that I

> > had to use two hands

> > to get the key out of the ignition when I picked my

> > son up this

> > afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear

> > shift, because I

> > couldn't operate the button that you push in to move

> > it.

> >

> > I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you guys

> > would understand.

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> " Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living

things, man will not himself find peace. "

> — Albert Schweitzer, French Nobel Peace Prize-winning mission

doctor and theologian (1875-1965)

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Never miss an email again!

> Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives.

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>

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Yes, my friend and I had a great ride! The horses

were a bit on the frisky side, having not been ridden

in a while, but it was all good. Shekar did a couple

of his little buck ups, and then we cruised on fast

(he single foots great!) for about two hours. The

time flew! I felt so wonderful getting to ride again

- you know the feeling - great therapy - until I get

off lol. Ouch my aching hips and knees! Anyway, will

be keeping my fingers crossed that you are feeling

more able to get out and about soon, and back with

your Oliver. I never did get that post you mentioned

- dang !

Take care - Kathe

--- Randall <krandall@...> wrote:

> Hi Kathe,

>

> Thanks for the pep talk, I need it!<g> It was MUCH

> warmer here

> today, and I really wanted to ride, but I was

> already hurting all

> over, and was afraid I'd just make things worse. So

> I went to church

> and then lazed around the house the rest of the day.

> I haven't

> ridden since the middle of last week, and I miss my

> boy!

>

> I wrote a long response to your earlier post to me,

> but I think it

> went " poof " somewhere in , since I never saw it

> posted. Did you

> get it? If not, I'll try to write you an update

> another time. I

> hope Shekar is continuing to do well after his

> colic... that is so

> scary, even when it turns out to be minor after the

> fact! I hope you

> had a great ride with your friend, and the horses

> weren't TOO frisky

> in your <ahem> " cool " California weather!<g>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > I finally bit the bullet and dropped down

> another mg

> > > in prednisone

> > > yesterday. (my doc had said to when I got over

> my

> > > last flare for a week

> > > or two) It's so hard to make the decision to

> make

> > > yourself feel

> > > miserable, even if you think it will be over in

> a

> > > couple of weeks. (or

> > > at least until the next pred reduction)

> > >

> > > Already by today, my wrists, shoulders, knees,

> hips

> > > and ankles are

> > > killing me. My hands are so weak and stiff that

> I

> > > had to use two hands

> > > to get the key out of the ignition when I picked

> my

> > > son up this

> > > afternoon, and I had to have him work the gear

> > > shift, because I

> > > couldn't operate the button that you push in to

> move

> > > it.

> > >

> > > I hate this. Sorry to gripe, but figured you

> guys

> > > would understand.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > " Until he extends the circle of his compassion

> to all living

> things, man will not himself find peace. "

> > — Albert Schweitzer, French Nobel Peace

> Prize-winning mission

> doctor and theologian (1875-1965)

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

______________________________________________________________________

> ______________

> > Never miss an email again!

> > Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail

> arrives.

> >

> http://tools.search./toolbar/features/mail/

> >

>

>

>

" Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will

not himself find peace. "

— Albert Schweitzer, French Nobel Peace Prize-winning mission doctor and

theologian (1875-1965)

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Never miss an email again!

Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives.

http://tools.search./toolbar/features/mail/

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dennis,

The doc agrees that I have to do what I can do to wean down. He was

actually the one who said first to hold off longer before dropping

down because of the flare. I didn't even have to suggest it. We

both have the same goal... to get me off it if possible, but he seems

to be practical and pragmatic about it as well.

> >>

> >> Dear :

> >>

> >> I'm in the process of tapering my prednisone, as well. I went

from

> > 10 mg. to 5 mg., stayed

> >> on 5 mg. for 3 months; cut the dose in 1/2 at 2.5 mg. and just

went

> > down to 2 mg. My

> >> rheumatologist has told me that I may rebound with pain and if

it's

> > bad, to taper more

> >> slowly. She believes that it should take me 3 weeks to taper

from

> > 2 mg. to nothing.

> >> However, I'm determined more out of vanity than anything else.

> > Three months of

> >> prednisone has given me the characteristic " moon face " and I

can't

> > stand how I look.

> >>

> >> Let's gripe together....

> >>

> >> Paige

>