Re: Pred ?

January 12, 2002

Hi Kathleen,

I am a real newbie to this, but based on what my other Rheumatologist

said, and now Dr. Buckner, until my body has built up enough with the

help of the Methotrexate, the flares will keep happening. And

because it takes a while to ramp up on that, as well as for it to

kick in, I am not going lower than 40 mgs. on the Pred. because I

keep flaring. Dr. Buckner said that once my body is aided by the

Metho, we can focus on lowering the Pred., but the flare does damage

and that's not something to mess around with. I'd encourage you to

talk to the dr about starting the metho right away and increasing the

pred., if they agree, until your flare really subsides.

Look at that, I sound like I learned something already! Like I said,

I'm really new, but that's what I've been advised.... Good luck and

my thoughts are with you!

> Hi all!

>

> Well, I was at 15 mg of pred and doing fine and then my nose and

throat started to flare. I called the rheumy to see what to do. He

told me I could go up to 20 mg, but that the risk for avascular

necrosis increases at 20 mg or above. So what am I supposed to do?

I went up to 20 mg and it isn't cutting it. I feel like a bad

patient because I want to up more and get RID of the pain. Does

anyone else have a doctor that doesn't want you to take too much

pred? What have you done? We have talked about me going on MTX.

Maybe that would do the trick. My next appt. isn't until the 24th,

though and I don't want to suffer... I like Heidi's point that we

are paying their salaries, but damn, it doesn't feel that way!!!! Is

that a class they teach in med school -- " How to keep your patients

in line? "

>

> Kathleen (Tx)

January 12, 2002

--- Kathleen wrote:

> Hi all!

>

> Well, I was at 15 mg of pred and doing fine and then

> my nose and throat started to flare. I called the

> rheumy to see what to do. He told me I could go up

> to 20 mg, but that the risk for avascular necrosis

> increases at 20 mg or above. So what am I supposed

> to do? I went up to 20 mg and it isn't cutting it.

> I feel like a bad patient because I want to up more

> and get RID of the pain. Does anyone else have a

> doctor that doesn't want you to take too much pred?

> What have you done? We have talked about me going

> on MTX. Maybe that would do the trick. My next

> appt. isn't until the 24th, though and I don't want

> to suffer... I like Heidi's point that we are

> paying their salaries, but damn, it doesn't feel

> that way!!!! Is that a class they teach in med

> school -- " How to keep your patients in line? "

>

> Kathleen (Tx)

>

My doctor is also cautious with prednisone. If yours

wants you on MTX, go for it! I was on it and did

great but the side effects finally forced me to go

off. I was down to 5 mg of pred, but had to raise it

last week due to flaring. I went up to 20, but only

for 5 days. Now, I am slowly backing down again.

Good luck, Sharon

=====

__________________________________________________

January 13, 2002

In a message dated 1/12/02 4:02:42 PM Pacific Standard Time, kath1@...

writes:

<< Does anyone else have a doctor that doesn't want you to take too much

pred? What have you done? >>

Kathleen,

I'm pretty lucky, my drs. have told me to use my own judgement on the pred.

When I was on higher doses, 40-60mg of pred. I could raise it to 80mg. When

I was on 20mg I would change to 30mg. I usually tried the smallest dose I

thought would knock it out. I know pred has a lot of side effects and is

best to get off as soon as possible, but sometimes it isn't possible. I've

been trying for 3 years. I have never had any, and I've had a lot, lol of my

drs tell me not to go over 20mg. I don't know what I would do in that case.

Maybe look for another dr or get a second opinion. Remind him that with

every flare, some damage is done.

January 13, 2002

In a message dated 1/12/02 5:37:32 PM Pacific Standard Time, mmjw3@...

writes:

<< until my body has built up enough with the

help of the Methotrexate, the flares will keep happening. >>

, I was told the same thing. I was told it could take 3 months for

the metho to kick in.

January 13, 2002

In a message dated 1/13/02 8:19:11 AM Pacific Standard Time,

katdavis@... writes:

<< Just wondering: Is it the pred?

Cytoxan? RP? Old age? Punishment for past sins?

----- Original Message ----- >>

, LOL I think it is mostly the last... LOL No. I honestly believe it

is from the pred. This is just my opinion, but from the ones who have

totally come off the pred, they have said the the leg pain is a killer for

about a year. Guess it takes that long to rebuild the muscles, I don't know.

I'm going to ask my new rheumy on the 24th. My PCP told me No, it wasnt the

pred. so go figure. Does anyone else have any input on this pain?

Hugs

January 13, 2002

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