Re: Prednisone Question -- Long term low dose dangerous or not?

[Guest guest]

I was taking celebrex and 5mg of prednisone.  I ended up with celebrex induced

diabetes and severe internal bleeding...6 days in ICU.

We are all different. Will enjoy seeing others respond.

Raniolo

From: irabrightman <searcher100yy@...>

Subject: [ ] Prednisone Question -- Long term low dose dangerous or

not?

Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 4:27 PM

 

Hi All,

I was doing pretty good on low doses of prednisone and 15mgs. (weekly) MTX.

Weaned off the prednisone -- 5mgs. one month, 4 the next and so on until zero.

As I got below 3mgs. my symptoms slowly worsened and once I hit zero prednisone

the symptoms were definitely worse. My rheumy then wanted me to go back on the

prednisone and settle in at about 3mgs. long-term, but I was afraid of

side-effects. So we increased my MTX to 20 mgs. weekly and that has not helped.

My rheumy claims that at low doses (5mgs. or below) prednisone can be taken

forever without fear of side-effects. The rheumy I went to before him told me it

was good to get off it and stay off it as soon as possible.

Who is right?

Best to everyone,

Ira

[Guest guest]

I HAVE BEEN OFF AND ON PREDNISONE FOR 25 YEARS.

 

I HAVE TO START ORENCIA SOON INS. APPROVED.

 

I NEVER TOOK MORE THEN 10 MGS A DAY. I STARTED WITH 5 MG

 

THEN 7 THEN 8 NOW TEN MG. ONLY SIDE EFFECT I SEEM TO HAVE

 

IS WEIGHT GAIN WHICH STINKS,SOME CHOICE WE HAVE

 

ITS EITHER WEIGHT GAIN OR SEVERE PAIN, I HOPE ORENCIA WORKS

 

FOR ME CAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE STOPPED WORKING, MAYBE

 

THEN I CAN CUT BACK ON THE PREDNISONE. HOPE THIS

 

HELPED.

 

ANN

From: irabrightman <searcher100yy>

Subject: [ ] Prednisone Question -- Long term low dose dangerous or

not?

@gro ups.com

Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 4:27 PM

 

Hi All,

I was doing pretty good on low doses of prednisone and 15mgs. (weekly) MTX.

Weaned off the prednisone -- 5mgs. one month, 4 the next and so on until zero.

As I got below 3mgs. my symptoms slowly worsened and once I hit zero prednisone

the symptoms were definitely worse. My rheumy then wanted me to go back on the

prednisone and settle in at about 3mgs. long-term, but I was afraid of

side-effects. So we increased my MTX to 20 mgs. weekly and that has not helped.

My rheumy claims that at low doses (5mgs. or below) prednisone can be taken

forever without fear of side-effects. The rheumy I went to before him told me it

was good to get off it and stay off it as soon as possible.

Who is right?

Best to everyone,

Ira

[Guest guest]

, why do you think it was the celebrex, and not the

prednisone, that induced the diabetes.

I was never on any more than 5mg of prednisone way back when I was on

it for a few months, and I do know that it could really raise my blood

glucose. I know of several people who have prednisone-induced diabetes.

Sue

On Apr 24, 2010, at 5:45 PM, CATHERINE RANIOLO wrote:

> I was taking celebrex and 5mg of prednisone. I ended up with

> celebrex induced diabetes and severe internal bleeding...6 days in

> ICU.

> We are all different. Will enjoy seeing others respond.

[Guest guest]

I agree with the first rheumy. I was on 5 mg for a few months waiting

for methotrexate to kick in. When I learned about all the bad side

effects, I weaned off of it as soon as I could.

Prednisone is similar to the cortisol produced in the body by the

adrenal glands. When a person is on prednisone for a long time, the

adrenal glands stop producing cortisol.

If you can stay off prednisone long enough for your adrenal glands to

start producing cortisol again, maybe you'll be all right. I would

give it a shot, anyway. If I were you, I'd prefer adding something

else, such as Arava, instead of going back on the prednisone.

Of course, it will be up to you to decide what to do, along with your

doctor's help. I wish you luck.

Sue

On Apr 24, 2010, at 4:27 PM, irabrightman wrote:

> My rheumy claims that at low doses (5mgs. or below) prednisone can

> be taken forever without fear of side-effects. The rheumy I went to

> before him told me it was good to get off it and stay off it as soon

> as possible.

>

[Guest guest]

I've been taking 10-15 mg of Prednisone since 1990 and have settled at 10 mg

for the last 10 years or so. My Rheumy thinks I need to quit taking it

because of my bones and has tried:

1. Humira- Took 3 injections and had to quit because it made me flare bad!

2. Stop Lodine, and start Plaquenil about 5 weeks ago. It caused a Gastro

infection and I spent 4 days in the hospital.

3. I was ordered to stop taking Sotalol because it will lower my BP and kill

me! I stopped it and ended up in the E.R. with bad heart patterns and at

least 3 'brown-outs' and heartbeats too fast to count.

I'm sure there's more to come, all because the Rheumy messed with my meds

just to get me off Prednisone. That won't happen again! If it ain't broke,

don't fix it!!

Oh, yeah, on top of all that, our van broke at about 2 months ago and I

can't afford to get it fixed. It's the one that carries the power chair but

no more...

Dennis in eastexas

On Sat, Apr 24, 2010 at 3:27 PM, irabrightman <searcher100yy@...>wrote:

>

>

> Hi All,

>

> I was doing pretty good on low doses of prednisone and 15mgs. (weekly) MTX.

> Weaned off the prednisone -- 5mgs. one month, 4 the next and so on until

> zero. As I got below 3mgs. my symptoms slowly worsened and once I hit zero

> prednisone the symptoms were definitely worse. My rheumy then wanted me to

> go back on the prednisone and settle in at about 3mgs. long-term, but I was

> afraid of side-effects. So we increased my MTX to 20 mgs. weekly and that

> has not helped.

>

> My rheumy claims that at low doses (5mgs. or below) prednisone can be taken

> forever without fear of side-effects. The rheumy I went to before him told

> me it was good to get off it and stay off it as soon as possible.

>

> Who is right?

>

> Best to everyone,

> Ira

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Dennis;sorry about your Van,i know it's part of your Life line;hey i know

something

that might help you,ask your Doctor about CT3:Asynthetic carboxylite acid,also

called

DMH-IIC,chemical name Dimethylhaptyl-THC-IIoic acid.You would not believe the

help

it has on the Human body!.Note:1.It suppresses the Immune system from attacking

the body

joint's.2.Their are no harmful effect's and no weight gain aswell.3.But

beware,if you have

a Heart problem you might wan't to scrutinize,for it can speed your Heart rate

up.This is from

my own experience,it causes my Heart rate to go up by over 75%.3.This info came

from

Total Health Care Clinic.Hope this help's you and other's,in pursuit of

answer's.,PJC.

From: Dennis W <betnden@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Prednisone Question -- Long term low dose dangerous or

not?

Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 10:49 PM

I've been taking 10-15 mg of Prednisone since 1990 and have settled at 10 mg

for the last 10 years or so. My Rheumy thinks I need to quit taking it

because of my bones and has tried:

1. Humira- Took 3 injections and had to quit because it made me flare bad!

2. Stop Lodine, and start Plaquenil about 5 weeks ago. It caused a Gastro

infection and I spent 4 days in the hospital.

3. I was ordered to stop taking Sotalol because it will lower my BP and kill

me! I stopped it and ended up in the E.R. with bad heart patterns and at

least 3 'brown-outs' and heartbeats too fast to count.

I'm sure there's more to come, all because the Rheumy messed with my meds

just to get me off Prednisone. That won't happen again! If it ain't broke,

don't fix it!!

Oh, yeah, on top of all that, our van broke at about 2 months ago and I

can't afford to get it fixed. It's the one that carries the power chair but

no more...

Dennis in eastexas

[Guest guest]

hi Ira,

 

  I took between 5 and 10 mg of prednisone for 20 years. the only side effects

I have was that I had to have cataract surgery about 10 years into it and I now

have osteoporosis( partly my fault I didn't take the precautions). 

 

Hope this helps. 

 

 

 

 

From: irabrightman <searcher100yy@...>

Subject: [ ] Prednisone Question -- Long term low dose dangerous or

not?

Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 1:27 PM

 

Hi All,

I was doing pretty good on low doses of prednisone and 15mgs. (weekly) MTX.

Weaned off the prednisone -- 5mgs. one month, 4 the next and so on until zero.

As I got below 3mgs. my symptoms slowly worsened and once I hit zero prednisone

the symptoms were definitely worse. My rheumy then wanted me to go back on the

prednisone and settle in at about 3mgs. long-term, but I was afraid of

side-effects. So we increased my MTX to 20 mgs. weekly and that has not helped.

My rheumy claims that at low doses (5mgs. or below) prednisone can be taken

forever without fear of side-effects. The rheumy I went to before him told me it

was good to get off it and stay off it as soon as possible.

Who is right?

Best to everyone,

Ira

[Guest guest]

Hi, Ira.

There is no consensus on whether long-term prednisone, and at what

dose, is safe.

There is evidence that the possible harmful side effects are related

to both the daily and cumulative amount of prednisone.

If prednisone is taken daily indefinitely, the lowest possible dose

should be used.

Not an MD

On Sat, Apr 24, 2010 at 3:27 PM, irabrightman <searcher100yy@...> wrote:

> Hi All,

>

> I was doing pretty good on low doses of prednisone and 15mgs. (weekly) MTX.

Weaned off the prednisone -- 5mgs. one month, 4 the next and so on until zero.

As I got below 3mgs. my symptoms slowly worsened and once I hit zero prednisone

the symptoms were definitely worse. My rheumy then wanted me to go back on the

prednisone and settle in at about 3mgs. long-term, but I was afraid of

side-effects. So we increased my MTX to 20 mgs. weekly and that has not helped.

>

> My rheumy claims that at low doses (5mgs. or below) prednisone can be taken

forever without fear of side-effects. The rheumy I went to before him told me it

was good to get off it and stay off it as soon as possible.

>

> Who is right?

>

> Best to everyone,

> Ira

[Guest guest]

Dennis, I was curious how the VA benefits were coming. I believe you and Stan

got registered for health benefits. Did you look into compensation for any

service connected disabilities? Since starting at the VA, I've learned that you

can file

claims for things like exposure to Agent Orange or other chemical defoliants and

that there are health problems that are " presumptively " caused by these

exposures such as diabetes. Even Veterans with no service connected issues can

apply for a non service connected pension, if they have low incomes. If you

google your state and " veteran service officer " you should get a list of state

and private VSOs who can help

Put in a claim.

Kate F

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 24, 2010, at 9:49 PM, Dennis W <betnden@...> wrote:

I've been taking 10-15 mg of Prednisone since 1990 and have settled at 10 mg

for the last 10 years or so. My Rheumy thinks I need to quit taking it

because of my bones and has tried:

1. Humira- Took 3 injections and had to quit because it made me flare bad!

2. Stop Lodine, and start Plaquenil about 5 weeks ago. It caused a Gastro

infection and I spent 4 days in the hospital.

3. I was ordered to stop taking Sotalol because it will lower my BP and kill

me! I stopped it and ended up in the E.R. with bad heart patterns and at

least 3 'brown-outs' and heartbeats too fast to count.

I'm sure there's more to come, all because the Rheumy messed with my meds

just to get me off Prednisone. That won't happen again! If it ain't broke,

don't fix it!!

Oh, yeah, on top of all that, our van broke at about 2 months ago and I

can't afford to get it fixed. It's the one that carries the power chair but

no more...

Dennis in eastexas

On Sat, Apr 24, 2010 at 3:27 PM, irabrightman <searcher100yy@...>wrote:

Hi All,

I was doing pretty good on low doses of prednisone and 15mgs. (weekly) MTX.

Weaned off the prednisone -- 5mgs. one month, 4 the next and so on until

zero. As I got below 3mgs. my symptoms slowly worsened and once I hit zero

prednisone the symptoms were definitely worse. My rheumy then wanted me to

go back on the prednisone and settle in at about 3mgs. long-term, but I was

afraid of side-effects. So we increased my MTX to 20 mgs. weekly and that

has not helped.

My rheumy claims that at low doses (5mgs. or below) prednisone can be taken

forever without fear of side-effects. The rheumy I went to before him told

me it was good to get off it and stay off it as soon as possible.

Who is right?

Best to everyone,

Ira

[Guest guest]

I shoud have been more speciffic,

Diagnosis was prednisone/celebrex induced diabetes.

They were not sure. I was in a research hopital connected to a medical school.

Since stopping both drugs my diabetes is very mikd and controllable,

At admission my blood sugar was over 1200.

Raniolo

> I was taking celebrex and 5mg of prednisone. I ended up with

> celebrex induced diabetes and severe internal bleeding...6 days in

> ICU.

> We are all different. Will enjoy seeing others respond.

[Guest guest]

I was on 10mg/day for a few months... just that short amount of time was enough

to weaken my bones to the point where I cracked 2 ribs from coughing during a

bronchitis bout. My dr said it doesn't take much prednisone to do that. Scary -

but honestly, all these RA drugs have risks/side effects - they help one

condition & create others. You get to the point where you have to decide what

you're willing to treat & what you're willing to put up with. It gets

frustrating!

>

> Hi All,

>

> I was doing pretty good on low doses of prednisone and 15mgs. (weekly) MTX.

Weaned off the prednisone -- 5mgs. one month, 4 the next and so on until zero.

As I got below 3mgs. my symptoms slowly worsened and once I hit zero prednisone

the symptoms were definitely worse. My rheumy then wanted me to go back on the

prednisone and settle in at about 3mgs. long-term, but I was afraid of

side-effects. So we increased my MTX to 20 mgs. weekly and that has not helped.

>

> My rheumy claims that at low doses (5mgs. or below) prednisone can be taken

forever without fear of side-effects. The rheumy I went to before him told me it

was good to get off it and stay off it as soon as possible.

>

> Who is right?

>

> Best to everyone,

> Ira

>