Re: prednisone--need your guidance again

[Guest guest]

It sounds like you answered your own question. I am by no means an expert

but from my own experience and from what yours sounds like I would push

through it. It takes time. We did not get sick in a day, week, month or

year. Stay in touch with your Doc and if it it persists then consider a

plan B.

I used to take Prednisone as well. 10mg daily. I weened off as I began

LDN. I experienced for over a month very persistent joint pain and

Neuropathy issues that have now disappeared entirely.

Just my experience.

On Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 10:46 AM, Beth Fletcher <kbf23@...> wrote:

>

>

> I have been on AP for almost two years. For nearly the last year, I had

> taken 5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and

> since he's nearly impossible to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and

> my numbers were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive

> protein) last time I saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred and

> see how it went. Well, I was good for about two and a half weeks. Then my

> left knee started swelling up huge. It swells up and then goes down and

> then back up. My other joints feel okay--not as good as on prednisone, but

> not as bad as they felt a year ago either.

> Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

> Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's going

> to take a while.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Beth,

My understanding is that you are supposed to wean off prednison rather

than go off it cold turkey. Perhaps members of this group who have

experience with this drug can comment more specific.

take care,

Ute

> ._,___

[Guest guest]

Dr. Sentef says that 5 mg is such a low dose, that I could go on and off as I

wanted.  Is this not the case?  I have not started back on it and won't if I can

find some other form of relief.

From: Uté <nowyoga@...>

Subject: Re: rheumatic prednisone--need your guidance again

rheumatic

Date: Monday, October 11, 2010, 11:50 AM

  Beth,

My understanding is that you are supposed to wean off prednison rather

than go off it cold turkey. Perhaps members of this group who have

experience with this drug can comment more specific.

take care,

Ute

> ._,___

[Guest guest]

I am so glad AP worked for you! Now the prednisone issue. I've been on this

drug for almost 5 years. I started at 20mg and I am down to 2.5mg, you have to

taper down gradually and give your body time to get used to the smaller dose,

then go down another 1/2 mg. It is a very long process. I am trying to get off

too but I can't seem to get below 2.5 so if I must take it at least it's a small

dose as I've read on Roadback that under 5mg is not to dangerous.

Sue

---- Beth Fletcher <kbf23@...> wrote:

> I have been on AP for almost two years. For nearly the last year, I had taken

5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and since he's

nearly impossible to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and my numbers

were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive protein) last time I

saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred and see how it went.  Well, I

was good for about two and a half weeks.  Then my left knee started swelling up

huge.  It swells up and then goes down and then back up.  My other joints feel

okay--not as good as on prednisone, but not as bad as they felt a year ago

either.

> Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

 Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's going to

take a while. 

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

That's the thing....I'm not sure AP did/is working for me.  I can't tell if it

did or if the 5 mg of pred were enough to mask my pain.  I'm so confused.  I've

been researching methotrexate today--a drug I swore I'd never take.

> I have been on AP for almost two years. For nearly the last year, I had taken

5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and since he's

nearly impossible to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and my numbers

were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive protein) last time I

saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred and see how it went.  Well, I

was good for about two and a half weeks.  Then my left knee started swelling up

huge.  It swells up and then goes down and then back up.  My other joints feel

okay--not as good as on prednisone, but not as bad as they felt a year ago

either.

> Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

 Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's going to

take a while. 

>

>

>       

>

>

[Guest guest]

Beth, Most of us go thru the prednisone thing one way or other. You

mentioned your sed rate(how high was it to begin with and what was it when

you went off pred?) was normal but not your CRP(how high was it to begin

with?) . Do you have heart issues? If no heart problems then it is high from

inflammation. Depending on how high your numbers were when you started I

would say the Mino is working but you still had inflammation and need to be

on it till the inflammation is down completely then drop to 2 ½ mgms then

cut that down to 1/4 of a pill. Did you have an RA factor done? Results?

cooky

From: rheumatic [mailto:rheumatic ] On Behalf

Of Beth Fletcher

Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 10:47 AM

rheumatic

Subject: rheumatic prednisone--need your guidance again

I have been on AP for almost two years. For nearly the last year, I had

taken 5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and

since he's nearly impossible to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and

my numbers were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive

protein) last time I saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred and

see how it went. Well, I was good for about two and a half weeks. Then my

left knee started swelling up huge. It swells up and then goes down and

then back up. My other joints feel okay--not as good as on prednisone, but

not as bad as they felt a year ago either.

Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's going

to take a while.

[Guest guest]

Beth,

to determine if, or if it is not working, what is the quality of your life? I'm

just a few months on AP, homebound, 2 mg pred (I could use a lot more to help

with pain and get around easier) but not going to do it. Keep with AP. I also

researched mtrexate, and after researching......I will not take the stuff? is

that a mistake, since I don't have a life, and have missed out on life for 4

years, to not take it?? I still feel it would be worse to take it, especially

for the long run. This is not easy for any of us. Sally

Re: rheumatic prednisone--need your guidance again

That's the thing....I'm not sure AP did/is working for me. I can't tell if it

did or if the 5 mg of pred were enough to mask my pain. I'm so confused. I've

been researching methotrexate today--a drug I swore I'd never take.

> I have been on AP for almost two years. For nearly the last year, I had taken

5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and since he's

nearly impossible to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and my numbers

were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive protein) last time I

saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred and see how it went. Well, I

was good for about two and a half weeks. Then my left knee started swelling up

huge. It swells up and then goes down and then back up. My other joints feel

okay--not as good as on prednisone, but not as bad as they felt a year ago

either.

> Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's going to

take a while.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

   My experience with  prednisone......It gave me diabetes......one of the well

known side effects.....I am on AP for just over one year.......in remission for

about 5 months.......if I had to do it all over again, I would NEVER take

prednisone or any of the other toxic chemical soups......(they gave me kidney

and liver damage)......BUT everyone is different.....wishing all the

best......frank

>

>

> I have been on AP for almost two years. For nearly the last year, I had

> taken 5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and

> since he's nearly impossible

to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and

> my numbers were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive

> protein) last time I saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred and

> see how it went.  Well, I was good for about two and a half weeks.  Then my

> left knee started swelling up huge.  It swells up and then goes down and

> then back up.  My other joints feel okay--not as good as on prednisone, but

> not as bad as they felt a year ago either.

> Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

>  Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's going

> to take a while.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am now pre diabetic - thank you prednisone - For me, it did nothing

but make me sicker - I am in to AP, I will never take those drugs again

- and I understand the consequences.

Carole

On 10/11/10 5:17 PM, frank feczko wrote:

>

> My experience with prednisone......It gave me diabetes......one of

> the well known side effects.....I am on AP for just over one

> year.......in remission for about 5 months.......if I had to do it all

> over again, I would NEVER take prednisone or any of the other toxic

> chemical soups......(they gave me kidney and liver damage)......BUT

> everyone is different.....wishing all the best......frank

>

>

>

> >

> >

> > I have been on AP for almost two years. For nearly the last year, I had

> > taken 5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr.

> Sentef and

> > since he's nearly impossible

> to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and

> > my numbers were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive

> > protein) last time I saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the

> pred and

> > see how it went. Well, I was good for about two and a half weeks.

> Then my

> > left knee started swelling up huge. It swells up and then goes down and

> > then back up. My other joints feel okay--not as good as on

> prednisone, but

> > not as bad as they felt a year ago either.

> > Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push

> through it?

> > Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help,

> it's going

> > to take a while.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'm no expert but I don't think 5 mg. of prednisone alone would take care of RA

pain. I have to take MTX, Enbrel and Prednisone to get the pain

tolerable...sometimes I even feel " normal " although I know I'm a walking time

bomb with all these horrible meds. Anyway I think the ap must be working

because 5 mg. wouldn't do the trick alone. IMHO.

Sue

---- Beth Fletcher <kbf23@...> wrote:

> That's the thing....I'm not sure AP did/is working for me.  I can't tell if

it did or if the 5 mg of pred were enough to mask my pain.  I'm so confused.

 I've been researching methotrexate today--a drug I swore I'd never take.

>

>

> > I have been on AP for almost two years. For nearly the last year, I had

taken 5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and since

he's nearly impossible to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and my

numbers were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive protein)

last time I saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred and see how it

went.  Well, I was good for about two and a half weeks.  Then my left knee

started swelling up huge.  It swells up and then goes down and then back up.

 My other joints feel okay--not as good as on prednisone, but not as bad as

they felt a year ago either.

> > Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

 Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's going to

take a while. 

> >

> >

> >       

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

What other " toxic chemical soups " have you taken?

On Mon, Oct 11, 2010 at 5:17 PM, frank feczko <ffrescaa@...> wrote:

>

>

> My experience with prednisone......It gave me diabetes......one of the

> well known side effects.....I am on AP for just over one year.......in

> remission for about 5 months.......if I had to do it all over again, I would

> NEVER take prednisone or any of the other toxic chemical soups......(they

> gave me kidney and liver damage)......BUT everyone is different.....wishing

> all the best......frank

>

>

>

> >

> >

> > I have been on AP for almost two years. For nearly the last year, I had

> > taken 5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and

> > since he's nearly impossible

> to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and

> > my numbers were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive

> > protein) last time I saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred

> and

> > see how it went. Well, I was good for about two and a half weeks. Then

> my

> > left knee started swelling up huge. It swells up and then goes down and

> > then back up. My other joints feel okay--not as good as on prednisone,

> but

> > not as bad as they felt a year ago either.

> > Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

> > Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's

> going

> > to take a while.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

    Hi Lindsey,

              Over the years I took; enbrel, methotrexate, prednisone,

plaquenil, humira, orencia, remicade, gold injections, lodine, and maybe a few

others.  Prednisone gave me diabetes;  methotrexate screwed up my liver; not

sure what caused my kidneys to get screwed up.....but they are still a problem,

I will see nephrologist tomorrow.  Gold injections literally killed me....I came

to with the doc telling me, " I thought we lost you....you were a zombie. "  I

asked him what he meant by zombie, he answered, " you were a gonner. "             

   So to sum up.....I got diabetes, liver and kidney damage, almost died from

gold, ( oh yeah,

had severe convulsions from remicade).....and got NO relief  

>

> >

> >

> > I have been on AP for almost two years.

For nearly the last year, I had

> > taken 5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and

> > since he's nearly impossible

> to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and

> > my numbers were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive

> > protein) last time I saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred

> and

> > see how it went.  Well, I was good for about two and a half weeks.  Then

> my

> > left knee started swelling up huge.  It swells up and then goes down and

> > then back up.  My other joints feel okay--not as good as on prednisone,

> but

> > not as bad as they felt a year ago either.

> > Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

> >  Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's

> going

> > to take a

while.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

, are you getting any relief from AP? My what a terrible time you've had.

I'm worried about my liver too, rheumy called today and said liver enzymes high

and WBC very, very low.

---- frank feczko <ffrescaa@...> wrote:

>     Hi Lindsey,

>               Over the years I took; enbrel, methotrexate, prednisone,

plaquenil, humira, orencia, remicade, gold injections, lodine, and maybe a few

others.  Prednisone gave me diabetes;  methotrexate screwed up my liver; not

sure what caused my kidneys to get screwed up.....but they are still a problem,

I will see nephrologist tomorrow.  Gold injections literally killed me....I

came to with the doc telling me, " I thought we lost you....you were a zombie. "

 I asked him what he meant by zombie, he answered, " you were a gonner. "     

           So to sum up.....I got diabetes, liver and kidney damage,

almost died from gold, ( oh yeah,

> had severe convulsions from remicade).....and got NO relief  

>

>

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > I have been on AP for almost two years.

> For nearly the last year, I had

> > > taken 5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef and

> > > since he's nearly impossible

> > to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and

> > > my numbers were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal (c-reactive

> > > protein) last time I saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the pred

> > and

> > > see how it went.  Well, I was good for about two and a half weeks.  Then

> > my

> > > left knee started swelling up huge.  It swells up and then goes down and

> > > then back up.  My other joints feel okay--not as good as on prednisone,

> > but

> > > not as bad as they felt a year ago either.

> > > Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through it?

> > >  Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help, it's

> > going

> > > to take a

> while.

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

, thank you for sharing. Do you have RA? Are you taking LDN? I am so

happy to read you have been in remission for 5 years!!! that gives me hope.

I pray that I will have the same experience with AP!

I am on Enbril now with Plaquenil. I used to take Orincia before insurance

quit me. I take LDN 4.5mg and AP MInocin (just started). I got very sick on

Metho and weened off the 5mg Prednisone.

I am too afraid now to go off Enbril now with Plaquenil.

Did you learn some good information from your nephrologist appointment?

On Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 9:32 PM, <semrick@...> wrote:

>

>

>

> , are you getting any relief from AP? My what a terrible time you've

> had. I'm worried about my liver too, rheumy called today and said liver

> enzymes high and WBC very, very low.

>

> ---- frank feczko <ffrescaa@... <ffrescaa%40>> wrote:

> > Hi Lindsey,

> > Over the years I took; enbrel, methotrexate, prednisone,

> plaquenil, humira, orencia, remicade, gold injections, lodine, and maybe a

> few others. Prednisone gave me diabetes; methotrexate screwed up my liver;

> not sure what caused my kidneys to get screwed up.....but they are still a

> problem, I will see nephrologist tomorrow. Gold injections literally killed

> me....I came to with the doc telling me, " I thought we lost you....you were

> a zombie. " I asked him what he meant by zombie, he answered, " you were a

> gonner. " So to sum up.....I got diabetes, liver and kidney

> damage, almost died from gold, ( oh yeah,

> > had severe convulsions from remicade).....and got NO relief

>

> >

> >

> > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > I have been on AP for almost two years.

> > For nearly the last year, I had

> > > > taken 5mgs of prednisone everyday until 4 weeks ago. I see Dr. Sentef

> and

> > > > since he's nearly impossible

> > > to get in to see, I decided I felt so good (and

> > > > my numbers were normal (sed rate) and very close to normal

> (c-reactive

> > > > protein) last time I saw him six months ago) I wanted to stop the

> pred

> > > and

> > > > see how it went. Well, I was good for about two and a half weeks.

> Then

> > > my

> > > > left knee started swelling up huge. It swells up and then goes down

> and

> > > > then back up. My other joints feel okay--not as good as on

> prednisone,

> > > but

> > > > not as bad as they felt a year ago either.

> > > > Would you guys recommend I go back on the pred or try to push through

> it?

> > > > Obviously, I am one of those people that if AP is going to help,

> it's

> > > going

> > > > to take a

> > while.

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Beth,

A tapering off factor is how long a person has

been on Prednisone. Persons who have been on 5 mg

of Prednisone per day for only a couple of weeks

should be able to stop immediately. People who

have been on 5 mg of Prednisone per day for many

months should taper off at the rate of 1 mg per

month. This is what two doctors have prescribed for me.

Example: 5 mg per day in September, 4 mg per day

in October, 3 mg per day in November, 2 mg per

day in December, and 1 mg per day in January.

This is a very conservative tapering off rate,

which reflects the fact that Prednisone helps a lot of arthritis sufferers.

The adrenal glands of the human body secrete

about 20 milligrams per day of the of a natural

corticosteroid hormone named Cortisol, which has

many of the same effects as Prednisone.

Prednisone is 4-5 times more potent than

Cortisol. Hence, 4-5 milligrams of Prednisone is

equivalent to how much Cortisol is produced by the body per day.

Sincerely, Harald

At 10:41 AM 10/11/2010, Beth Fletcher wrote:

>

>Dr. Sentef says that 5 mg is such a low dose,

>that I could go on and off as I wanted. Is this

>not the case? I have not started back on it and

>won't if I can find some other form of relief.

>

>

>

>From: Uté <<mailto:nowyoga%40earthlink.net>nowyoga@...>

>Subject: Re: rheumatic prednisone--need your guidance again

><mailto:rheumatic%40>rheumatic

>Date: Monday, October 11, 2010, 11:50 AM

>

> Beth,

>My understanding is that you are supposed to wean off prednison rather

>than go off it cold turkey. Perhaps members of this group who have

>experience with this drug can comment more specific.

>take care,

>Ute

[Guest guest]

Harald,

Thank you for being so specific in your answer.

Your information is very helpful.

On Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 11:09 AM, Harald Weiss, Technical Marketing Group <

hweiss@...> wrote:

>

>

> Beth,

>

> A tapering off factor is how long a person has

> been on Prednisone. Persons who have been on 5 mg

> of Prednisone per day for only a couple of weeks

> should be able to stop immediately. People who

> have been on 5 mg of Prednisone per day for many

> months should taper off at the rate of 1 mg per

> month. This is what two doctors have prescribed for me.

>

> Example: 5 mg per day in September, 4 mg per day

> in October, 3 mg per day in November, 2 mg per

> day in December, and 1 mg per day in January.

> This is a very conservative tapering off rate,

> which reflects the fact that Prednisone helps a lot of arthritis sufferers.

>

> The adrenal glands of the human body secrete

> about 20 milligrams per day of the of a natural

> corticosteroid hormone named Cortisol, which has

> many of the same effects as Prednisone.

> Prednisone is 4-5 times more potent than

> Cortisol. Hence, 4-5 milligrams of Prednisone is

> equivalent to how much Cortisol is produced by the body per day.

>

> Sincerely, Harald

>

> At 10:41 AM 10/11/2010, Beth Fletcher wrote:

> >

> >Dr. Sentef says that 5 mg is such a low dose,

> >that I could go on and off as I wanted. Is this

> >not the case? I have not started back on it and

> >won't if I can find some other form of relief.

> >

> >

> >

> >From: Uté <<mailto:nowyoga%40earthlink.net <nowyoga%2540earthlink.net>>

> nowyoga@... <nowyoga%40earthlink.net>>

> >Subject: Re: rheumatic prednisone--need your guidance again

> ><mailto:rheumatic%40 <rheumatic%2540>>

> rheumatic <rheumatic%40>

> >Date: Monday, October 11, 2010, 11:50 AM

> >

> > Beth,

> >My understanding is that you are supposed to wean off prednison rather

> >than go off it cold turkey. Perhaps members of this group who have

> >experience with this drug can comment more specific.

> >take care,

> >Ute

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Harald,

I have been on pred. 4 years (last yr to 2, on 5mg. over last 2 months I am now

at 2mg. Should I also do the 1mg per month reduction? I feel pretty bad, but

also want to stop this drug! Thank you, Sally

Re: rheumatic prednisone--need your guidance again

><mailto:rheumatic%40 <rheumatic%2540>>

rheumatic <rheumatic%40>

>Date: Monday, October 11, 2010, 11:50 AM

>

> Beth,

>My understanding is that you are supposed to wean off prednison rather

>than go off it cold turkey. Perhaps members of this group who have

>experience with this drug can comment more specific.

>take care,

>Ute

Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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

To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribe@...! Groups Links

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=

[Guest guest]

>

>

>

> Hi Harald,

>

> Thanks for this information. I have been on 10mg of Prednisone for a month

> but I am

> on 5mg of Prednisone now. Prednisone really helps but I have throat

> infections.

>

> I contacted my Chinese naturopath and he told me that he cannot mention the

> names

> of the herbs for the Chinese tea because this tea is specifically designed for

> my body.

> The tea is very powerful! My Chinese naturopath recommends to make an

> appointment

> with a Chinese naturopath in you area.

>

> Best,

> Antje

>

> Beth,

>

> A tapering off factor is how long a person has

> been on Prednisone. Persons who have been on 5 mg

> of Prednisone per day for only a couple of weeks

> should be able to stop immediately. People who

> have been on 5 mg of Prednisone per day for many

> months should taper off at the rate of 1 mg per

> month. This is what two doctors have prescribed for me.

>

> Example: 5 mg per day in September, 4 mg per day

> in October, 3 mg per day in November, 2 mg per

> day in December, and 1 mg per day in January.

> This is a very conservative tapering off rate,

> which reflects the fact that Prednisone helps a lot of arthritis sufferers.

>

> The adrenal glands of the human body secrete

> about 20 milligrams per day of the of a natural

> corticosteroid hormone named Cortisol, which has

> many of the same effects as Prednisone.

> Prednisone is 4-5 times more potent than

> Cortisol. Hence, 4-5 milligrams of Prednisone is

> equivalent to how much Cortisol is produced by the body per day.

>

> Sincerely, Harald

>

> At 10:41 AM 10/11/2010, Beth Fletcher wrote:

>> >

>> >Dr. Sentef says that 5 mg is such a low dose,

>> >that I could go on and off as I wanted. Is this

>> >not the case? I have not started back on it and

>> >won't if I can find some other form of relief.

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >From: Uté <<mailto:nowyoga%40earthlink.net>nowyoga@...

>> <mailto:nowyoga%40earthlink.net> >

>> >Subject: Re: rheumatic prednisone--need your guidance again

>> ><mailto:rheumatic%40>rheumatic

>> <mailto:rheumatic%40>

>> >Date: Monday, October 11, 2010, 11:50 AM

>> >

>> > Beth,

>> >My understanding is that you are supposed to wean off prednison rather

>> >than go off it cold turkey. Perhaps members of this group who have

>> >experience with this drug can comment more specific.

>> >take care,

>> >Ute

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sally,

You could drop the daily dosage from 2 mg to 1 mg and then 1/2 mg of

Prednisone per month -- or drop the daily dosage down by 1/2 mg every month.

If you terminate any arthritis drug too quickly, you may get an

arthritic flare. The above tapering off will assure that there is no

such flare.

By the way, I am currently also on 2 mg of Prednisone per month,

dropping to 1 mg in November.

Sincerely, Harald

At 01:12 PM 10/13/2010, you wrote:

>

>Hello Harald,

>I have been on pred. 4 years (last yr to 2, on 5mg. over last 2

>months I am now at 2mg. Should I also do the 1mg per month

>reduction? I feel pretty bad, but also want to stop this drug! Thank you, Sally

>

> Re: rheumatic prednisone--need your guidance again

>

>Harald,

>hank you for being so specific in your answer.

>our information is very helpful.

>

>n Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 11:09 AM, Harald Weiss, Technical Marketing Group <

><mailto:weiss%40tmgp.com>weiss@...> wrote:

> >

>

>Beth,

>

>A tapering off factor is how long a person has

>been on Prednisone. Persons who have been on 5 mg

>of Prednisone per day for only a couple of weeks

>should be able to stop immediately. People who

>have been on 5 mg of Prednisone per day for many

>months should taper off at the rate of 1 mg per

>month. This is what two doctors have prescribed for me.

>

>Example: 5 mg per day in September, 4 mg per day

>in October, 3 mg per day in November, 2 mg per

>day in December, and 1 mg per day in January.

>This is a very conservative tapering off rate,

>which reflects the fact that Prednisone helps a lot of arthritis sufferers.

>

>The adrenal glands of the human body secrete

>about 20 milligrams per day of the of a natural

>corticosteroid hormone named Cortisol, which has

>many of the same effects as Prednisone.

>Prednisone is 4-5 times more potent than

>Cortisol. Hence, 4-5 milligrams of Prednisone is

>equivalent to how much Cortisol is produced by the body per day.

>

>Sincerely, Harald

>

[Guest guest]

thank you Harald!

Have you been on pred. for a long time? Are you in remission? I guess I just

want to know if you " have a real life " . I pray you do and feel it is time for

us all to have a real/abundant life! sally

Re: rheumatic prednisone--need your guidance again

>

>Harald,

>hank you for being so specific in your answer.

>our information is very helpful.

>

>n Wed, Oct 13, 2010 at 11:09 AM, Harald Weiss, Technical Marketing Group <

><mailto:weiss%40tmgp.com>;weiss@...> wrote:

> >

>

>Beth,

>

>A tapering off factor is how long a person has

>been on Prednisone. Persons who have been on 5 mg

>of Prednisone per day for only a couple of weeks

>should be able to stop immediately. People who

>have been on 5 mg of Prednisone per day for many

>months should taper off at the rate of 1 mg per

>month. This is what two doctors have prescribed for me.

>

>Example: 5 mg per day in September, 4 mg per day

>in October, 3 mg per day in November, 2 mg per

>day in December, and 1 mg per day in January.

>This is a very conservative tapering off rate,

>which reflects the fact that Prednisone helps a lot of arthritis sufferers.

>

>The adrenal glands of the human body secrete

>about 20 milligrams per day of the of a natural

>corticosteroid hormone named Cortisol, which has

>many of the same effects as Prednisone.

>Prednisone is 4-5 times more potent than

>Cortisol. Hence, 4-5 milligrams of Prednisone is

>equivalent to how much Cortisol is produced by the body per day.

>

>Sincerely, Harald

>

[Guest guest]

I wanted to say a BIG thank you to everyone who replied to my post.  I was

(surprisingly) able to cry my way into an appt with Dr. Sentef next Friday.

 It's like pulling teeth to get seen by him!  Anyways, I will discuss my

situation with him then. I will say that I am feeling MUCH better than when I

posted this and now I am sure that AP is in fact working for me...praise the

Lord!  I want to seek his opinion though on my actually starting back up on the

prednisone at a lower (maybe 3 mg) dose to see if that is enough to keep the

swelling in my knees minimal to allow the antibiotic to reach those areas and

work more.

You guys are such an awesome support and a wealth of knowledge!

Beth

> >

>

>Beth,

>

>A tapering off factor is how long a person has

>been on Prednisone. Persons who have been on 5 mg

>of Prednisone per day for only a couple of weeks

>should be able to stop immediately. People who

>have been on 5 mg of Prednisone per day for many

>months should taper off at the rate of 1 mg per

>month. This is what two doctors have prescribed for me.

>

>Example: 5 mg per day in September, 4 mg per day

>in October, 3 mg per day in November, 2 mg per

>day in December, and 1 mg per day in January.

>This is a very conservative tapering off rate,

>which reflects the fact that Prednisone helps a lot of arthritis sufferers.

>

>The adrenal glands of the human body secrete

>about 20 milligrams per day of the of a natural

>corticosteroid hormone named Cortisol, which has

>many of the same effects as Prednisone.

>Prednisone is 4-5 times more potent than

>Cortisol. Hence, 4-5 milligrams of Prednisone is

>equivalent to how much Cortisol is produced by the body per day.

>

>Sincerely, Harald

>

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