{I am not medically qualified to give advice or diagnosis anything, so what follows is person opinion, if not just guess-work, so don't panic.}

However, you need to get medical attention as soon as possible for this condition there are a ton of possibilities, but most likely it is pseudo-gout or another crystal-forming arthritis. The extreme pain is caused by elongated crystals in the tendons and joints. There are multiple types the most common is caused by calcium build-up. You need this treated immediately as these crystals can cause permanent damage by mutilation of the joints.

One of the common medications used to treat certain kinds of pseudo-gout / arthritis is corticosteroids which includes Prednisone. My guess is this has been an existing comorbidity for awhile and your taking of Prednisone was treating the inflammation in your knees/hips/etc as well, even though it was initially prescribed only for your lungs. Once the corticosteroid stopped the arthritis inflammation increased.

Anyway, call Monday and make an appointment.

could you have arthritis or lower back problems that prednisone just covered up the pain for the past year?

I have some discs in my lower back that cause pain in my hips and down to my knees.
it is caused by the "sciatica" nerve being inflamed.
I also have osteoarthritis that causes severe pain in just about every joint I have.
I cannot take prednisone so I have taken a long term anti-inflammatory medication that is often used for arthritis.

Coming off the prednisone may have turned out to be in your favor so you can find the cause of the pain and possibly a cure before it gets worse. For instance many people with "herniated/bulging discs" have found releif in surgery.
I agree with Gnott that you should seek medical care in finding out what is causing your pain and then work with your dr's to find releif. Living in constant pain wears us down physically and emotionally.
I hope you find releif soon.

I am not a medical professional, this is just my opinion & my story.

Thank you Gnott and jarca for your replies! Although I am close to tears thinking I will have to deal with arthritis along with the COPD I am grateful for your suggestions. I am on disability with a very high cost of share so going to the doctor frequently is not an option for me. It certainly does help if i am in the hospital so I am thankful for that! I will do my best to deal with it the best I can for now. It does seem like the longer I sit the worse it becomes, but if I am up walking my breathing becomes difficult. So I guess I have to pick the worst of two evils. Dang it anyway.

Thanks again!

I understand the dilema of "cost".
I too am on disability & I have medicare so I have to pay 20% (after yearly deductible).
I have found that many medical places have "financial help" that will cover that 20%, or lower it to a manageable level, then they let me make small monthly payments so I can get the medical care i need.
(by federal law all hospitals & their labs, radiology etc HAVE to give away so much to people in need every year or they will lose thier funding the next year)

I understand you can't run to a dr for every little thing, but this sounds like something that you would benefit with a consultation with your PCP.

On the bright side, if it doesn't hurt to keep moving, keeping moving makes our lungs stronger so you might get some releif both for your pain and your lungs if you can get a good excersise (just walking is good) program going. (i'm an optimist ;) )

I hope you find releif. my thoughts and prayers are with you.

ps. Do any of the OTC nsaids help, like ibuprophen, aleve, asprin? (i used to take 800mg of ibuprohen every 6 hours daily before this new 1 x a day nsaid was prescribed for me)
you didn't mention if you were on inhalers for your lungs or if you have supplemental 02....I found that when my 02 gets worse, my pain increases so I have to make sure I keep in "proper range"

Jarca I am on supplemental oxygen at night unless I need it during the day. I take advair and sprivia. which I get from India (thanks to this site). I was in the hospital last May with bi-lateral bacterial pneumonia. I was diagnosed with COPD about 6-7 years ago. For the most part I do okay, but when I came off of the prednisone it has been hell! I am pretty much a hermit in my own house, I find it comforting. I hate going out and running out of air. I take ibuprophen about every 4-5 hours and use topical oitments like icy hot. I am also on 25 mg of lasix daily to control swelling and HB, which might present another problem, low potassum.

But I am so thankful for someone listening to me and understanding that I don't know where to turn right now.

Know that you are heard here and that we care. I have no advice to offer but have come to respect these people's. Wishing you well with all my heart. You're dealing with too much. Let us know how it goes.

tiatrenee;
check your 02 level when you are hurting---i have found my pain level correlates with my Sp02.
also, the lasix rings a bell. I am from the desert and salt depletion can cause severe muscle cramping...potasium & sodium have to be 'in sync' or can create all sorts of problems.
was it last month or last year that you had the exacerbation/pnuemonia?

reason I ask, was ALL of my pain started at once when I had a severe exacerbation in 2012; supposedly not related, but sure is a coincidence :)
I do hope you get in & get checked out.
my thoughts and prayers are with you

I was hospitaized for my breathing in December and of course they started IV steroids imediately. Within 24 hours not only was my breathing much improved but my hip pain was gone. The steroids decrease inflamation in all areas of the body and that decrease eases pain. My hip problem is osteo along with arthritis. Tylenol extended release works for me since I cannot take Ibuprofens. My diet and water intake also play a big roll in how uncomfortable I make myself ! LOL

First off I want to thank each of you for you caring words and helpful advice. It is truly appreciated.

Jarca I was in the hospital last year in May. I will certainly check my oxygen levels when the pain is at its worst. As soon as I can I think I will have my doctor check my potassium levels. It is possible it is out of whack since I have been on the lasix for about a year.

It is just frustrating but there are so many others with far more things to deal with than me. I am thankful that I can still do things for myself and get around.

Thanks again everyone!

WAS IN TERRIABLE PAIN FOR A FEW YEARS FROM MY PMR, AND USED MY CANE ALL THE TIME .2 WEEKS AGO STARTED DRINKING 1/2 CUP GINGER TEA WITH 1 TEA SPOON OF HONEY AND I TEASOPPN OF CINNIMON. NO LONGER HAVE TO USE Y CANEAND PAIN IS VERY MIMIAL, LIKE A DULL PAIN. NOW MAKE A TEA A HEAD OF TIME AND KEEP IN REFRIG. IN A 24 OZ BOTTLE I PUT 3 TSP OF HONEY AND 3 TSP CINNIMON AND MAKE SURE I DRINK AT LEAST 3 1/2 CUPS A DAY. ALSO SHARED THIS WITH MY MAILMAN AND HE SAID IN 3 DAYS HE HAS SEEN A GREAT INPROVEMENT IN HIS PAIN.
HUGS
ELEANOR

Eleanor - thank you for the tip! I do drink a cup of hot ginger tea with lemon about 3 times a week for heartburn. I will have to drink more and see if it works on my pain.