Re: Prednisone micro-dosing

[Guest guest]

Is anyone micro-dosing prednisone? Yesterday I read at a web site where a

fellow

has been in RA remission two years using prednisone. It was confusing, but I

think he takes one dose a month. But I don't think it was a micro-dose. Deb

Geoff Crenshaw wrote:

> From: Geoff Crenshaw <geoff@...>

>

> heather mason wrote:

> >

> > 5 mg of prednisone daily gives me significant relief from the severe pain I

> > am having:

> >

> > 1. Is this considered a micro-dose?

>

> It may be small, but it is hardly a micro dose. Those are in micrograms

> and commonly run 3-5 mcg. Far as I know you cannot get Prednisone in

> " micro doses " . I believe 1 mg tablets are the bottom end, but others may

> have better information than I.

>

> > 2. How long is it reasonably safe to take this?

>

> At 5 mg/d you are not only replacing the cortisol your body makes

> normally, but adding to it. This suppresses the adrenal cortex function

> with regard to that hormone. You will have to wean off of this dose as

> it creates a physical dependency due to cortisol being necessary for

> continued life function. Weaning off a small dose " can " be easier than

> weaning off of large doses, but it depends upon the length of time

> you've been on the dose. If you've only been on it a week or so you

> should have no problems providing you follow your physician's

> instructions. If you have been on 5 mg daily for months, however, the

> complications, and implications, can be enormous. The weaning process

> will be much more difficult and collateral damage to bone density, organ

> systems and eyes can occur.

>

> One, two weeks tops without problems. Then it changes to individual

> tolerance, physical condition, etc., from about 2 weeks to 2 months.

> Beyond two weeks some are still able to slide by without trouble -

> others have trouble. Once you break the two month barrier individual

> tolerance is no longer an issue. Now individual tolerance simply

> addresses the degree of difficulty and damage - not the lack of either

> (notwithstanding the fact that many patients and physicians are unaware

> of the damage for several years, if ever).

>

> Prednisone is an extremely valuable drug in the arsenal of modern

> medicine. But like all powerful things, it is also extremely dangerous

> and unfortunately often used by those with a very cavalier attitude

> toward the person taking it. If you need something longer than a few

> weeks you would be well advised to consider something like RA Spes, an

> herbal without the complications or implications of the Rx meds. Some

> have also tried boswellia and curcumin, but the efficacy of those has

> been very spotty for people while generally the RA Spes has been quite

> predictable and helpful.

>

> The purpose of the anti-inflammatories, be they Rx or not, is the same

> in the AP:

> to allow the tetracycline or other drugs access to the joints

> in order to combat the invasive organisms; and

>

> to limit or eliminate joint damage during the fight.

>

> They have the wonderful effect of giving you back your life during the

> fight too, but from a strictly mechanical viewpoint that little bonus is

> irrelevant. (Of course, to ME it's not irrelevant! But mechanically

> speaking, it is.)

>

> HTH

> --

> Regards,

>

> Geoff Crenshaw, ACC ----------------------

> Managing Partner ** No Disclaimers **

> Captain Cook's Cruise Center ----------------------

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> Over 3,000 daily cruise & tour specials > Top 5% of Web Sites

> http://www.800-800-cruise.com [specials] > Top 100 Travel Sites

> . > Top Web Sites for

> Cruise tips New Zealanders

> http://www.800-800-cruise.com [tips]

>

> USA PH: 800-800-CRUIse PH: 559-636-8413 FAX: 559-734-1420

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

> geoff@...

>

> " Behold now, Behemoth, which I made as well as you; He eats grass like

> an ox. Behold now, his strength in his loins, and his power in the

> muscles of his belly. He bends his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his

> thighs are knit together. His bones are tubes of bronze; His limbs are

> like bars of iron. He is the first of the ways of God. "

>

> God speaking to Job...

>

> ---------------------------