Lupus Support Group

Lupus is an auto-immune disease in which the immune system cannot distinguish between threats (like viruses and bacteria), and healthy cells and tissue. As a result, the body produces antibodies that inflict cell damage, most commonly targeting joints, skin, kidneys and the nervous system. Join the group and find support for coping with lupus.

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Prednisolone

UlrikeCT
UlrikeCT
I have been on Prednisolone for 8 years along withother meds. I am allergic to Prednisone. Before this I was on Plaquenil for 5 years. I consider Prednisolone my "miracle med" it makes such a huge difference. Now my rheumy says there are too many side affects and he wants to take me off it. My adrenals stopped working and after so many years they prob will not come back. So now he says I should take Hydrocortisone. Well, the side affects are the same.
I really don't worry about side effects and I don't understand why the switch. I am seeing him later this month and I will see what he says.
Any opinions about this???
nanny1611
nanny1611
After 3 years on prednisone, my current doctor transitioned me over to hydrocortisone. I actually liked it better. Hydrocortisone is often used for people whose adrenals are no longer functioning. I think this condition is called Addison's Disease. My doctor told me that hydrocortisone was bio-identical to the cortisol we produce in our bodies, and said that it has a shorter half life. If I recall correctly, hydrocortisone is 1/4 the potency of prednisone. In other words, 20 mg. of hydrocortisone is the same as 5 mg. of prednisone. Bottom line is that it worked well for me. I'm not currently on anything right now. Yay! Best wishes to you.
UlrikeCT
UlrikeCT
HI Nanny, your adrenal glad is working now? You are not taking either meds now? My endocrinologist said that after 8 years daily use of Prednisolone the adrenal function is not coming back. I went into an adrenal crisis several months ag, had a kidney infection and forgot to triple the dose. I am confused about this.
nanny1611
nanny1611
Correct - I am no longer on prednisone or hydrocortisone. While I was still tapering prednisone, I researched online to find things to help my adrenals. Two MD's stated that a person would have to support their adrenals in order to successfully get off steroids. They both recommended a product called Drenamin (from Standard Process). So I took that for about at least a year or year-and-a-half. I also started taking a natural anti-inflammatory (InflamericZyme by Olympian Labs).

In 2009 I broke my leg and required surgery. During that time my prednisone dose was upped quite a bit. The ortho surgeon said he had to up it because of the trauma and surgery, otherwise I could have become "Addisonian" (his word).

Even though I'm off both steroids, recently my lupus started to flare and I almost had to go back on. My doctor was going to try hydrocortisone first, because I felt better on it. I don't want to ever go back on steroids, but I would if necessary.

BTW, if you have chronic UTI's like I had for awhile, my doctor told me to take the natural anti-inflammatory every day, along with cranberry pills. Also, I read an article that recommended drinking warm water with raw honey and cinnamon. These things help me a lot, and it's been almost 2 years since my last UTI. Of course, you can't drink the "tea" if you're allergic to bees or if your sugar is a problem.
UlrikeCT
UlrikeCT
thank you for the info
AnnNY
AnnNY
I'm taking plaquinil with dinner to avoid stomach problems. It just does take time to work.