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

April 24, 2010

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

April 25, 2010

Hi Ira,

I've posted my prednisone story once or twice, but since you asked.. I was

on 10 mg prednisone for about 4 years, and suffered a spontaneous hip

fracture when I was only 38. (And I was even on Fosamax.) I walked on it

for two weeks until it was finally diagnosed with an MRI, because I couldn't

stand the pain any longer. I was really afraid to wean off the prednisone,

but I did it VERY slowly - over about 7 months. I had to take daily Forteo

injections for two years after that to strengthen my bones, and now I get

Reclast annually. Please be very careful even on low doses for long periods

of time. I would never wish the scenario I went through on anyone. Take

care.

Patty

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