Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...

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nnyguy1960 05/30/2016

I had a right total hip replacement last october which went well. In early december I was diagnosed with MG, and after breathing and swallowing issues was put on 60 mg of prednisone in late December. In January I started cellcept and started tapering off prednisone..

I am now at 17-1/2 mg eod, and tolerating the taper well except I am getting some discomfort around my hip replacement. I have a follow-up appointment with my orthopedic in a couple weeks, but curious if anyone else has had similar experiences. Was the prednisone masking the discomfort earlier? Did the prednisone slow down the healing process? Or, is it all a coincidence since it is now spring and I am more active which is causing the muscles to get a work out?

xmas25 05/30/2016

Maybe all of the above!

flutebell 05/30/2016

Have you had your Vitamin D checked? My mom had increasing pain this spring in her hip that was replaced. Turns out her D was way to low so she is on supplements. I have terrible bone pain when my D is low, and I don't have osteoporosis or artificial joints!
Flutebell

nnyguy1960 05/30/2016

Interesting comment on the Vitamin D. I am taking 1,000 iu a day as a supplement since I am on the prednisone. Until I can get the level checked i will try 2,000 iu a day. How long before the increased dose takes effect on possible bone pain?

xmas25 05/30/2016

I take alot of vitamin since no combination keeps it therapeutic level. .I have osteoporsis and had hip replacement in 2014.I know it takes at least 6 weeks before blood Vit d changes
Should be tested.they think it's all the meds I take that lower it.yes prednisone helped reduce the swelling postop.and yes you decreased it and are probably moving more since it doesn't hurt. Isn't it great to have no more pain?

Rhanson 05/30/2016

I agree with xmas25 in that all 3 of your speculations are likely involved.

Removal of prednisone can also have some difficulties with adrenal insufficiency when you get down in the taper under 20 -- your adrenal glands have take a vacation and until they get started producing your own prednisone like stuff (cortisol among others) you may feel more pain than what you should.

When I went through the taper, I had that happen and it lasted for a few months after I was off of prednisone totally. Gradually things got better. I knew it was not MG, as aspirin or ibuprofen fixed the pain.

Prednisone is one complicated medication to get off of, however it sure did work good for me in controlling MG.
Good Luck

jessicadrummond 06/05/2016

I have never had hip pain before, but have had it recemtly. I'm on 20 mg of prednisone and haven't tapered at all. I just thought the hip pain was caused by me walking with a gait. Not being as active, and laying around a lot. Who knows?

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