prednisone

[Guest guest]

I did it but you do notice pain the first few days or so but I just had to get

off it and

I have. I hope not to have to go back on it.

Joy

sgp2525 <sgp2525@...> wrote:

Five months into RA - 55 years old female - I was also hit with ACUTE

and severe RA symptoms out of the blue. I was placed on prednisone

and have been able to reduce the dose to 5 mg per day since I have

been on MTX for 5 months and now on HUMIRA. I tried to reduce the

Prednisone to 2.5 yesterday and sure enough, my hands started to swell

and hurt again. I know you all know that feeling of the RA starting

to flare. I am going to try to get off the prednisone completely

SOON. It still amazes me what it does to calm the symptoms of RA, as

well as how dangerous it can be over a long period. Has anyone tried

stepping down the Prednisone dose like I have and what have been your

results?

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hello:

Welcome to our group of wonderful, caring, people. I am so glad I am a

member here.

I am 69, had RA for 6 years, and it reared its ugly head one day out of

the blue.

I started on MTX pills, but they made me so sick, I went to the

injection, which I do 1x each week. Works so good for me.

It took quite awhile to get some relief from my flares. My Rheumy also

added Sulfasalizine, which I take 6 pills a day, I take the full needle

of MTX, 1x a week, and also take 2 Placquenil a day. This combo works

so good for me. My flares are longer between, and don't last as long.

I have also been on Prednisone for 6 years, and have tried many times to

get off it. I will keep trying though. I am currently taking 10 mg. of

Pred. a day, but have just started to return to 5 mg. a day, my original

daily dose. Pred. has been a wonder drug for me and the RA. I would

love to be off it, but haven't been successful in my many tries. The

only side affect is my weight gain of 20 lbs, which I hate, and I had to

have steroid cataracts removed from both of my eyes 2 years ago. Other

than that, it makes my life so much better.

It does take some time to find the right " coctail " of meds. to help your

RA. I have a fabulous Rheumy, and see her every 3 months. I also have

blood work done before each visit. My blood work is always fine,

especially my liver functions. She has me under good control, as my

flares are less and less, and longer in between. I have also learned to

pace myself each day, and rest or nap daily. The tiredness is bad at

times, so I just give into it.

I hope my information is helpful. Take care of yourself, and wishing

you pain free days ahead.

Hugs,

Barbara

>

> Five months into RA - 55 years old female - I was also hit with ACUTE

> and severe RA symptoms out of the blue. I was placed on prednisone

> and have been able to reduce the dose to 5 mg per day since I have

> been on MTX for 5 months and now on HUMIRA. I tried to reduce the

> Prednisone to 2.5 yesterday and sure enough, my hands started to swell

> and hurt again. I know you all know that feeling of the RA starting

> to flare. I am going to try to get off the prednisone completely

> SOON. It still amazes me what it does to calm the symptoms of RA, as

> well as how dangerous it can be over a long period. Has anyone tried

> stepping down the Prednisone dose like I have and what have been your

> results?

>

[Guest guest]

Early in my RA journey, I was on prednisone for a few months. It was

supposed to be until the MTX kicked in fully. I was on just 5mg, as I

remember, and I didn't take it long, so I had no trouble at all

tapering off. I'm glad I did it before my body became dependent on it.

Sue

On Feb 25, 2009, at 9:00 AM, sgp2525 wrote:

> Five months into RA - 55 years old female - I was also hit with ACUTE

> and severe RA symptoms out of the blue. I was placed on prednisone

> and have been able to reduce the dose to 5 mg per day since I have

> been on MTX for 5 months and now on HUMIRA. I tried to reduce the

> Prednisone to 2.5 yesterday and sure enough, my hands started to swell

> and hurt again. I know you all know that feeling of the RA starting

> to flare. I am going to try to get off the prednisone completely

> SOON. It still amazes me what it does to calm the symptoms of RA, as

> well as how dangerous it can be over a long period. Has anyone tried

> stepping down the Prednisone dose like I have and what have been your

> results?

[Guest guest]

I've done it before and am doing it again, LOL! You may need to step down

slower, from 5mg to 4mg, or you can alternate between the 5mg and 2.5mg for a

couple for weeks before going down to 2.5mg.

HTH,

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

[ ] Prednisone

Five months into RA - 55 years old female - I was also hit with ACUTE

and severe RA symptoms out of the blue. I was placed on prednisone

and have been able to reduce the dose to 5 mg per day since I have

been on MTX for 5 months and now on HUMIRA. I tried to reduce the

Prednisone to 2.5 yesterday and sure enough, my hands started to swell

and hurt again. I know you all know that feeling of the RA starting

to flare. I am going to try to get off the prednisone completely

SOON. It still amazes me what it does to calm the symptoms of RA, as

well as how dangerous it can be over a long period. Has anyone tried

stepping down the Prednisone dose like I have and what have been your

results?

[Guest guest]

Hello, I have the same problem with prednisone,if i drop down below

5mg for more than 3 days I also swell. I AM ON Humira for about 5

years worked great until recently..so now I am on MTX. I too hope to

get off of the prednisone, can't afford the clothes, it makes me so

hungry. Hopefully when it gets warmer out I can get out and walk some.

Good Luck Sandy

--

[Guest guest]

When I started taking prednisone I was also amazed at how it

completely made my pain go away. I tried to stop taking it but I found

that I needed it to stop hurting all over but it also came with side

effects. I can not go to sleep and I also have headaches. My doctor

changed my dose to 2.5 mg and that it supposed to help me eventually

stop all together. I hope it works. You are the only one who

experiences this.

[Guest guest]

i have been dropping 1 mg every two weeks. started at 10mg and i am now at 4mg.

i am completely miserable. i am also completely determined.

 

kate

From: sgp2525 <sgp2525@...>

Subject: [ ] Prednisone

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 6:00 AM

Five months into RA - 55 years old female - I was also hit with ACUTE

and severe RA symptoms out of the blue. I was placed on prednisone

and have been able to reduce the dose to 5 mg per day since I have

been on MTX for 5 months and now on HUMIRA. I tried to reduce the

Prednisone to 2.5 yesterday and sure enough, my hands started to swell

and hurt again. I know you all know that feeling of the RA starting

to flare. I am going to try to get off the prednisone completely

SOON. It still amazes me what it does to calm the symptoms of RA, as

well as how dangerous it can be over a long period. Has anyone tried

stepping down the Prednisone dose like I have and what have been your

results?

[Guest guest]

I am weaning off pred at the moment, I'm only on 5mg but the side

effects seem exaggerated. Someone suggested recently to reduce 5mg to

4mg by alternating 5mg one day & 4 mg the next for a couple of weeks

before stepping down to 4mg everyday.

I am working full time & cannot afford to get " prednisone bounce' so I

have been doing the 5/4 thing & so far so good!

Sharon of Oz

>

> Five months into RA - 55 years old female - I was also hit with ACUTE

> and severe RA symptoms out of the blue. I was placed on prednisone

> and have been able to reduce the dose to 5 mg per day since I have

> been on MTX for 5 months and now on HUMIRA. I tried to reduce the

> Prednisone to 2.5 yesterday and sure enough, my hands started to swell

> and hurt again. I know you all know that feeling of the RA starting

> to flare. I am going to try to get off the prednisone completely

> SOON. It still amazes me what it does to calm the symptoms of RA, as

> well as how dangerous it can be over a long period. Has anyone tried

> stepping down the Prednisone dose like I have and what have been your

> results?

>

[Guest guest]

I am also tapering down from 5 mg.... My doctor has me doing a half does every

other day...5, 2.5, 5, 2.5, etc for two weeks then 2.5 every day for a week, and

then finally 2.5 every other day for a week. I am 6 days in and IT SUCKS!!!!!!

*~ Kami ~*

[ ] Prednisone

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 6:00 AM

Five months into RA - 55 years old female - I was also hit with ACUTE

and severe RA symptoms out of the blue. I was placed on prednisone

and have been able to reduce the dose to 5 mg per day since I have

been on MTX for 5 months and now on HUMIRA. I tried to reduce the

Prednisone to 2.5 yesterday and sure enough, my hands started to swell

and hurt again. I know you all know that feeling of the RA starting

to flare. I am going to try to get off the prednisone completely

SOON. It still amazes me what it does to calm the symptoms of RA, as

well as how dangerous it can be over a long period. Has anyone tried

stepping down the Prednisone dose like I have and what have been your

results?

[Guest guest]

Hi Kami:

I too have tried many times to get off the Pred. Have not been

successful at all. I keep trying all the time. I am now tapering off

from 10mg. a day to 5mg. a day. I do it very slowly, but have never

been off it at all. It does wonders for me, but I hate the weight.

I guess for me it is either the weight I put on, or suffer so much and

be in a wheel chair. I hate the weight, but I don't want my life ruined

and then be in a wheel chair.

I sure hope you are successful getting off the Pred.

Hugs,

Barbara

>

> From: sgp2525 sgp2525@...

> Subject: [ ] Prednisone

>

> Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 6:00 AM

>

> Five months into RA - 55 years old female - I was also hit with ACUTE

> and severe RA symptoms out of the blue. I was placed on prednisone

> and have been able to reduce the dose to 5 mg per day since I have

> been on MTX for 5 months and now on HUMIRA. I tried to reduce the

> Prednisone to 2.5 yesterday and sure enough, my hands started to swell

> and hurt again. I know you all know that feeling of the RA starting

> to flare. I am going to try to get off the prednisone completely

> SOON. It still amazes me what it does to calm the symptoms of RA, as

> well as how dangerous it can be over a long period. Has anyone tried

> stepping down the Prednisone dose like I have and what have been your

> results?

>

>

[Guest guest]

Great Sharon. I wish you good luck and hope you can get off the Pred.

Sure wish I could.

Hugs,

Barbara

> >

> > Five months into RA - 55 years old female - I was also hit with

ACUTE

> > and severe RA symptoms out of the blue. I was placed on prednisone

> > and have been able to reduce the dose to 5 mg per day since I have

> > been on MTX for 5 months and now on HUMIRA. I tried to reduce the

> > Prednisone to 2.5 yesterday and sure enough, my hands started to

swell

> > and hurt again. I know you all know that feeling of the RA starting

> > to flare. I am going to try to get off the prednisone completely

> > SOON. It still amazes me what it does to calm the symptoms of RA, as

> > well as how dangerous it can be over a long period. Has anyone tried

> > stepping down the Prednisone dose like I have and what have been

your

> > results?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Barbara, the link posted yesterday gave specific steps in quitting

Prednisone. It seems that the key is 'STABILITY'. This is a part of the

instructions:

<TAKE YOUR PRED AT THE SAME TIME EVERY DAY UNTIL STEP 11 IF YOU CANNOT GET

TO STEP 11 THIS WAY, READ 11-18 AND START USING THE STRETCH METHOD TO WORK

YOUR WAY DOWN EVEN SLOWER

STEP 2. After two weeks, reduce your dose by 1 mg You are now at 9 mg.

Stay there 7-10 days AFTER you stabilize, assuming that within 3 days after

the drop you feel some discomfort and that remaining at the new dose the

discomfort settles down.

STEP 3. After 7-10 days of STABILITY, drop 1 mg. You are now at 8 mg.

Stay there 7-10 days AFTER you stabilize, assuming that within 3 days after

the drop you feel some discomfort and that remaining at the new dose the

discomfort settles down.>

This info was not given to me by the Rheumy, only that you will be off it in

a few weeks. I wish I had the link but can't find it. It has some good info.

I'm going to try it again soon. Don't give up!

Dennis in eastexas

On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 10:36 AM, Barbara <bcreedon@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Kami:

>

> I too have tried many times to get off the Pred. Have not been

> successful at all. I keep trying all the time. I am now tapering off

> from 10mg. a day to 5mg. a day. I do it very slowly, but have never

> been off it at all. It does wonders for me, but I hate the weight.

>

> I guess for me it is either the weight I put on, or suffer so much and

> be in a wheel chair. I hate the weight, but I don't want my life ruined

> and then be in a wheel chair.

>

> I sure hope you are successful getting off the Pred.

>

> Hugs,

>

> Barbara

> .

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dennis:

Thanks for this information. I do know the slower you go, the better it

is. I will def. keep trying when the time is right.

Hope you are feeling better each day. Take care of yourself, and rest

when you can.

Hugs,

Barbara

>

> >

> > Hi Kami:

> >

> > I too have tried many times to get off the Pred. Have not been

> > successful at all. I keep trying all the time. I am now tapering off

> > from 10mg. a day to 5mg. a day. I do it very slowly, but have never

> > been off it at all. It does wonders for me, but I hate the weight.

> >

> > I guess for me it is either the weight I put on, or suffer so much

and

> > be in a wheel chair. I hate the weight, but I don't want my life

ruined

> > and then be in a wheel chair.

> >

> > I sure hope you are successful getting off the Pred.

> >

> > Hugs,

> >

> > Barbara

> > .

> >

> >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Ira,

I hope you get some results soon. The prednisone always made me feel

better, it should start working soon. The biggest side effect I have

taking prednisone, is no sleep. (I now have that problem, with no

prednisone.)

You shouldn't get any bad side effects, on that short of dose. You can

have serious side effects, but that is, IF you are on it for a long

while. You can have a appetite on the med, I try to keep healthy snacks

in the house, when I am on that med. I will eat the whole kitchen,lol

Hope you feel better soon. hope you on the right med to work for you.

Take care of yourself.

Good luck,

Tawny

--- In , " irabrightman " <searcher100yy@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi All,

>

> New to the group. I was misdiagnosed (as having polymyalgia

rheumatica) and then 6 months later it became obvious I had RA since my

fingers started getting bent, and I couldn't close my hands. My new

rheumy is putting me on prednisone (15mg first week, 10mg next, then 5mg

and stay on 5mg). After a while he will switch me to a less dangerous

med.

>

> I've taken the prednisone two days so far. No reaction good or bad yet

of course. The doctor told me my appetite would likely increase. I've

also heard that this med can make you " jumpy, " and am aware of more

serious side effects from long term use. And I know it's a hassle to get

off prednisone.

>

> Wondering what experiences people have had at the type of doses listed

above -- good and bad.

>

> Best to everyone,

> Ira Brightman

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Ira.

If your rheumatologist is sure you have RA, why isn't he starting you

on a DMARD right away?

Not an MD

On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 7:53 PM, irabrightman <searcher100yy@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hi All,

>

> New to the group. I was misdiagnosed (as having polymyalgia rheumatica) and

> then 6 months later it became obvious I had RA since my fingers started

> getting bent, and I couldn't close my hands. My new rheumy is putting me on

> prednisone (15mg first week, 10mg next, then 5mg and stay on 5mg). After a

> while he will switch me to a less dangerous med.

>

> I've taken the prednisone two days so far. No reaction good or bad yet of

> course. The doctor told me my appetite would likely increase. I've also

> heard that this med can make you " jumpy, " and am aware of more serious side

> effects from long term use. And I know it's a hassle to get off prednisone.

>

> Wondering what experiences people have had at the type of doses listed above

> -- good and bad.

>

> Best to everyone,

> Ira Brightman

[Guest guest]

Hi Ira:

A warm welcome to you, and I know you will be happy you joined us.

Everyone here is so helpful, caring, and informative. I was sorry to

read you have RA. I have had it now for 6 years, and doing good. It

took a long time to get pain free, but I have a wonderful Rheumy who has

given me the perfect " cocktail " for my RA. I take MTX inject. 1x a

week, Leucovorin 1 x a week, Placquenil daily, and Sulfasalazine daily.

I take the maximum doses each day. I also take Pred. daily. I am on 10

mg. a day, but will return to my normal dose of 5 mg. a day..When I was

really in bad pain and swelling, I was on 40 mg. a day until the flare

stopped.

I have been on Pred. daily for 6 years, and for me, it is truly a wonder

drug. I have no side effects, just a weight gain of 30 lbs. which I

hate. I have tried to get off Pred. many times, but have been

unsuccessful. Each time I get almost off, all the RA pain, swelling,

etc. returns, and I can't bear it. So I chose pain relief over vanity.

I am not sorry with my decission.

I see my Rheumy monthly, and also have blood work monthly. My blood

work is always good. I went to MTX injections due to the fact that the

MTX pills made me so sick 24 hrs. a day.

I hope my information helps you to see, that for some of us, Pred. is

the best drug for RA. You should feel the eff. of Pred. soon.

Wishing you pain free days ahead.

Hugs,

Barbara

--- In , " irabrightman " <searcher100yy@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi All,

>

> New to the group. I was misdiagnosed (as having polymyalgia

rheumatica) and then 6 months later it became obvious I had RA since my

fingers started getting bent, and I couldn't close my hands. My new

rheumy is putting me on prednisone (15mg first week, 10mg next, then 5mg

and stay on 5mg). After a while he will switch me to a less dangerous

med.

>

> I've taken the prednisone two days so far. No reaction good or bad yet

of course. The doctor told me my appetite would likely increase. I've

also heard that this med can make you " jumpy, " and am aware of more

serious side effects from long term use. And I know it's a hassle to get

off prednisone.

>

> Wondering what experiences people have had at the type of doses listed

above -- good and bad.

>

> Best to everyone,

> Ira Brightman

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ira,

I'm weaning off prednisone as we speak, I'm down to 2mg from 5mg (considered a

low dose). I can't wait to be off it personally. Even though I was only ever on

a low dose of 5mg & for a fairly short time (i've been on it a year now) I

experienced some, for me anyway, rather unpleasant side effects.

Mainly irritability, moodiness (jekyl & hyde)(sorry about my spelling..tired

lol), raise body tempature (which caused some nasty headaches), increased

sweating, profuse sweating under one arm (weird), erratic periods (heavy then

light cycles & not regular), insomnia, anxiety & panic attacks, increased

appetite (but no weight gain) & a weird " spicy " body odour.....my family is glad

I'm getting off it too LOL.

Prednisone did clear up the swellings i had on the back of each hand/wrist, for

which I am thankful.

My RA at the moment is very mild & therefore the side effects for me outweight

the benefits. Perhaps if I had been offered Pred in the early stages I would be

singing more praise.

Sharon of Oz.

>

> Hi All,

>

> New to the group. I was misdiagnosed (as having polymyalgia rheumatica) and

then 6 months later it became obvious I had RA since my fingers started getting

bent, and I couldn't close my hands. My new rheumy is putting me on prednisone

(15mg first week, 10mg next, then 5mg and stay on 5mg). After a while he will

switch me to a less dangerous med.

>

> I've taken the prednisone two days so far. No reaction good or bad yet of

course. The doctor told me my appetite would likely increase. I've also heard

that this med can make you " jumpy, " and am aware of more serious side effects

from long term use. And I know it's a hassle to get off prednisone.

>

> Wondering what experiences people have had at the type of doses listed above

-- good and bad.

>

> Best to everyone,

> Ira Brightman

>

[Guest guest]

my doc attributes my diabetes to being on pred for about 3 yrs. wish I'd never

taken it.

Jane

>

> I think Prednisone is very dangerous, especially long term. It can really

affect your moods, your weight, can cause diabetes, among other things. I only

took it from 2002 to the middle of 2004. Have been much better off overall

without it. Lost weight. Not so moody.

>

> Helen

>

[Guest guest]

Hi I am new to the group, and to RA,I am 75, and take blood thinners

my Doctor put me on low dose prednisone, has anyone tried this,

i sure like this group lots of information, thanks Billie from Texas

[Guest guest]

hi billie, you have another Texas girl here. My name's jane, I'm from the Dallas

area. I was on prednisone for several years and it really helped (I'm 54,

diagnosed about 20 yrs ago.) they had to take me off of it because I developed

diabetes. Wish i could still take it. Welcome to the group, they are a great

bunch of folks, we really are the RA family.

Blessings and best wishes to you!

jane

>

> Hi I am new to the group, and to RA,I am 75, and take blood thinners

> my Doctor put me on low dose prednisone, has anyone tried this,

> i sure like this group lots of information, thanks Billie from Texas

>

[Guest guest]

I am also bipolar and was warned about the moodiness thing when taking medrol

dose packs. My doctor warned me that in some people, steroids can exacerbate

bipolar disorder or cause moodiness, anger, anxiety, etc. Other than mild

insomnia, I have not experienced this, nor have my family members noticed it

occurring to me. The main side effect I notice is hunger. I hope this helps.

Kristi F in cali

>

> Hi I am new to the group, and to RA,I am 75, and take blood thinners

> my Doctor put me on low dose prednisone, has anyone tried this,

> i sure like this group lots of information, thanks Billie from Texas

>